VLE Functionality Matrix
Version 5
VLE Functionality Matrix
This VLE Functionality Matrix has been derived from an Invitation to Tender document created for McMaster University, with their specific server architecture and administration elements removed. It contains functions that are commonly found in both commercial and in-house/open source Virtual Learning Environments and Learning Management Systems used across the UK, Australia and
North America. In addition to these functions, other features have been added, as identified within prior Excellence Review consultation, conducted earlier this year.
Contents
1
Version 5
2
Version 5
1. Introduction
After filling in your details and the name of the system you are representing, please read the description of functionality in each following section and indicate to the best of your knowledge which response best fits your system, i.e. indicate whether each feature
already exists
on the system, is
planned
within the next 12 months, is potentially
possible but not planned
, or is
not possible
.
The matrix may contain features that your system was not designed to accommodate, in which case please simply indicate
not possible.
Systems being surveyed are wide-ranging and have been built for a number of different purposes, therefore the system you are providing responses for may not have a substantial number of the functions included. There is space to add any comments that you may have at the end of each section, or to add details of any system functionality which is relevant, but not already covered in the matrix. Responses can be filled in electronically or on paper.
It is recognised that you may be using more than one system in your Department/Faculty which is providing ‘VLE type’ functionality
(e.g. you might use one system for document storage and another for student data management). If this is the case, you may find it necessary to complete different sections of the questionnaire in different copies (electronic or paper) of the document and simply indicate not applicable in the comments fields at the end of each section where functionality is provided in another system. If this applies to your Department/Faculty please indicate on each copy of the questionnaire, which system you are basing the questionnaire responses on. At the end of the questionnaire there is a section for you to indicate why you use multiple systems to provide VLE functionality.
Name of Respondent
Department
Email Address
System Name
System Description
3
2. Content Development and Management
Version 5
2.1. Design
Feature
Customize look of entire course site (colour, font, layout)
Supports application of custom Cascading Style S heets (CSS) to change appearance of application for individual users
JavaScript compatibility
Support of multimedia integration (text, audio, video)
Availability of templates containing design specifications for the course (colour, font, layout)
Ability to customize the course away from the Institution’s default look or available styles (colour, font, layout)
Create and use templates for content (see Repository-Specific Functionality)
Instructor can allow/disallow individuals or specific groups to modify the design of all or parts of the course
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
2.2. General Course Management
Feature
Can back up a copy of the course
structure content snapshot of activity
Can restore a course backup or template
to create a new course instance
to recover a course
Abilit y to import and/or replace sections of courses or pages
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
4
Version 5
Feature
Sharing/Reusability: abil ity to share resources with other online courses on the system (see Repository-Specific Functionality)
A llow multiple accounts to fully manage a single course space
Ability to customise specific course sections for individual students or groups of students
Ability to make specific sections of the course space accessible to the public without authentication
Search capabilities for instructors and other users in the course
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
2.3. Class/Course Administration
Feature
Create nested sub-groupings (groups which belong to other groups).
Which can interact with:
- Communication tools
- Content
- Assessment activities
- User permissions
Nested sub-groupings keep functional archives of groupings
Nested sub-groupings support a range of group creation approaches
Nested sub-groupings allow overlapping memberships
View student data by year, programme, class, sub-class
Have flexible permissions which allow:
Already exists Planned within 12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
5
Feature
- Flexible access to materials
- Local allocation of permissions
Bi-directional communication with central systems:
- OUT, from centrally held staff/student/class info to VLE
- IN, from VLE report student early warning
- IN, from VLE send marks to central system
- IN, from VLE report on discrepancies in class lists
Site creation and organisation which allows for flexible academic periods
Flexible enrolment periods
Publish/collaborate outside ‘class’ context
Student early warning system with:
- automated alerts
- ability to set alarms
Ability to export data from VLE by users
Customisable student record (e.g. database/spreadsheet of data to which fields/sheets can be added).
Ability to monitor attendance by:
- logging student activity within the system
- creating a record of tutorial/lecture attendance
- providing comments fields for each student
- collating student attendance and tracking data across the system
Version 5
Already exists Planned within 12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
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Version 5
2.4. Content
Feature
Create entire course site without knowledge of HTML
Edit HTML files online
Multiple file uploads and/or drag-and-drop capabil ities
Easy creation of URL links
Ability to drag and drop external links into a course
Ability for instructors to access content/link repository across multiple courses
Ability to l ink to/from different sections or modules of course material
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Display and create content with equations/symbolic notation
Possible but not planned
2.5. Assessment
2.5.1. Create Quizzes
Feature
Create quizzes and surveys within the VLE
C reate questions by importing files:
- text or comma delimited (.txt or .csv)
- support for Question Test Interoperability specification
Import and adapt questions from the Question Item bank (see Repository-
Specific Functionality)
Create question alternates from one question
Compatible with thirdparty quiz creation tools (e.g. Respondus)
Add custom headers and footers into quiz/survey
Create and reuse question templates
Create question sets for random selection of questions
Create self and peer evaluations
Enable quizzes to be exported for use:
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
Not possible
7
Feature
- in other applications
- in other sites within the same application
2.5.2. Question Types
Feature
Multiple choice (one or more answers)
Matching (text and/or images)
Drag and drop
Ord ering
Calculated
Diagram labelling
Short answer (text entry)
Likert Scale (automatic)
True/False Yes/No
Long (text) answer
Fill in the blank
2.5.3. Question/Answer Characteristics
Feature
Questions can be formatted
Student responses to questions can be formatted
Ability to include multimedia (graphics, audio, video) into questions
Include equations in questions, student answers, and feedback
Version 5
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
8
Version 5
Feature
Create q uestions with multiple parts (e.g. Question 1, part a., part b.)
Cascading questions: The answer submitted for one question is carried forward to the su bsequent question (e.g. student’s answer for question 1 becomes a variable in question 2)
Enable grading of numerical responses to be set within a particular range
C alculation questions: grade correct units
Feedback responses for individual answers
General feedback response for the question
Feedback responses can be linked to sections of the course (e.g. link to specific discussion forums or link to specific content)
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
2.5.4. Quiz/Survey Presentation
Feature
Randomize answers
Randomize order of questions
Force completion of selected questions before a quiz/survey can be submitted
Flexibility for Repetition/Retest for entire quiz/survey
Students can r eceive mark and feedback for one question within a quiz before being presented with the next question
Ability to tie in performance logic to questions (e.g. if question 1 is answered incorrectly, give alternate question as next question; if question 1 is answered correctly, give question 2 as next question).
Weighted answers for partial credit
S et time restrictions
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Builtin timer for timed tests
Security: lock down quizzes/surveys to a range of IP addresses
Security: lock down quizzes/surveys by password
Export quizzes into a printable form
Possible but not planned
Not possible
9
Version 5
Feature
Create anonymous surveys
Manual marking of quizzes
Automatic marking of quizzes
Quiz scores tied to course gradebook or class list
For multiple quiz attempts, flexibility for final quiz score calculation (e.g. average of all attempts, best score of all attempts, only the last attempt, etc.)
Ability to change grading requirements and force remark of quizzes taken
Ability to override automatic grading for specific individuals
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
2.5.5. Quiz/Survey Results
Feature
View which quizzes have been started by whom and which are in progress
View whether surveys are in progress while maintaining anonymity
Ability to select which user personal information defined in the (class list or gradebook) is displayed with the quiz/survey results ( e.g. show the tutorial group membership with the quiz/survey results)
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
2.5.6. Feedback and Formative Assessment
Feature
The following question is seeking to identify how the system supports flexible feedback processes. It is recognised that different tools may be used to support different activities where feedback could be provide. For each response please indicate which tool you are referring to (e.g. quiz, blog, discussion board etc).
Tool:
Supports flexible feedback processes, e.g. comments can be:
- Distributed by different roles:
- Students
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
Not possible
Not possible
10
Feature
- Staff
- External advisers
- Made Anonymously by:
- Students
- Staff
- External advisors
- Sent with grades attached
- Sent without grades attached
- Tracked (by staff)
Tool:
Supports flexible feedback processes, e.g. comments can be:
- Distributed by different roles:
- Students
- Staff
- External advisers
- Made Anonymously by:
- Students
- Staff
- External advisors
- Sent with grades attached
- Sent without grades attached
- Tracked (by staff)
Feedback can be stored by students
Enables students to generate activities, e.g.:
Create discussion boards
Report on performance of student work groups
Set up group working spaces
Version 5
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
11
Version 5
2.5.7. Personal Development Planning/e-Portfolio
Feature
Provides flexible support for different models of PDP:
- Student generated portfolios
- Student controlled access
- Competency-based activities and records
- Activity records for staff
- Customisable interface
- Templates with iterative development
- Access by alumni
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Please add any other comments that you think are relevant to Content Development and Management
Possible but not planned
Comments here...
Not possible
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Version 5
3. Communication Tools
3.1. Asynchronous Communication
3.1.1. General Features
Feature
Add attachments to messages
Embed images and other media into messages
Include formulae (equation editor) and special characters in messages
Format the text (colour, size, etc .) in messages
Embed URLs to locations outside the course environ ment into messages (e.g. a link to a library resource)
Embed URLs to locations within the course (e.g. link to an assignment)
Obtain history of who read what message and when
Automatic marking of read/unread messages
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
3.1.2. Private Communication (i.e. email)
The assumption here is that the VLE is
not
an alternative email system but should interoperate with the email
Feature
Integrate e-mail with Exchange
Integrate e-mail groups within VLE with Exchange groups
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
13
Version 5
3.1.3. Threaded Discussions
Feature
Create threaded discussion forums accessible to the class
Cr eate threaded discussion forums accessible to specific groups of people
Link to/from discussion forums from within course materials (e.g. link from a ssignment description to an assignment-specific discussion forum)
Link between discussion forums
Search , sort and manage messages in discussion forums
Create moderated discussion groups
Create discussion forums that allow anonymous postings
Compile a selection of messages for printing, saving, archiving
Ability to restrict attachments in specific discussion forums
Ability to restrict /limit file size of attachments in specific discussion forums
Ability to rate dis cussion postings
Grading feature tied into the gradebook/classlist
Ability for users to create their own identities (e.g. create and upload an avatar)
Hide private discussion forums from those who are not members
Instructor can selectively assign specific users or groups the ability to create and/or manage discussion forums as above: e.g.
Shared VLE designers/authors
Teaching Assistants
Students
Visitors to the institution
Other roles (not specified here), please indicate: ________________________
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
14
Version 5
3.1.4. Announcements (see also Calendar)
Feature
Group-wide news/announcements (e.g. student’s entry page to the system and/or to each course)
Set publication and expiry settings for announcements
Archive announcements
Make RSS feeds of announcements available external to the VLE
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
3.1.5. Calendar
Feature
Event calendar functionality within a course space
Event calendar functionality that spans multiple course spaces
Add publication and expiry dates to event entries
Link to/from calendar entries from within course materials (e.g. link from calendar entry to assignment description or an assignment specific discussion forum)
Embed external URL links in calendar entries
Search calendar entries (within and across courses/groups)
Users can (selectively) aggregate events into a personalised calendar
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
This functionality could be provided through the VLE or (preferably) should integrate with Exchange to deliver this functionality through Outlook/Entourage
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Version 5
3.2. Synchronous Communication
Feature
Ability for all users to see who else is concurrently using the system (from their groups)
Live text-based chat (Instant Messaging)
Live audio communic ation
Live video communication
Participants can save text-based chat sessions with date/participant details
Participants can s ave live audio communications with date/participant details
Participants can s ave live video presentations with date/participant details
Create and send dynamic URLs in text-based chat messages
Format the text (colour, size, etc.) in text-based chat messages
Upload files during live text-based chat session
Ability for the instructor to create chat rooms (titled by topic) accessible only to specific individuals or groups (private chat rooms) within the course
Ability for the instructor to create chat rooms (titled by topic) accessible to all users registered in the course (public chat rooms within a course)
Ability for the instructor to make chat rooms in a given course space accessible to users who are members of a different course space
Chats in public chat rooms are automatically transcribed and access ible to instructors
Create moderated chat rooms
Ability to send private messages to specific individuals during a chat session
Ability to block a user from sending live messages during a chat session
Ability to deny access to a specific user or groups of users to specific chat sessions
Ability for individuals in a private or public chat room to invite (call) other users into their chat session
Ability for individuals to initiate a chat session with other users (outside of a designated chat room)
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
16
Version 5
Feature
Ability for users who are members of a given course sp ace to initiate a chat session with other users who are members of a different course space
A whiteboard for sharing text and visual (images) information in real time
A whiteboard th at is integrated into the chat environment
Whiteboard screen enlargement capabilities
Save whiteboard contents
P rint whiteboard contents
Please add any other comments that you think are relevant to Communication Tools
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Comments here...
Not possible
4. Assignment Submission
Feature
Secure online assignment submission or dropbox
Assign different assignments randomly to different users/groups
Set assignment due dates
Flexibility to accept late submissions
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
17
Version 5
Feature
Functionality for auto-response to student to acknowledge submission
Ability to accept multiple submissions over time for a single assignment
Ability to check assignment s with plagiarism detection tools
Grading of individual assignments tied to gradebook
Grading of group assignments reflected in gradebook
Bulk export of student submissions
Support for individual assignment feedback
Ability to upload individual assignment solutions to individual students
For group assignments: group/peer feedback feature
For group assignments: activity log feature
Please add any other comments that you think are relevant to Assignment Submission
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Comments here...
Not possible
5. Personal and Collaboration Space
Feature Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
18
Version 5
Feature
Instructor can assign individual users or groups of users space within a course to work collaboratively on documents and files
Instructor can assign individual u sers or groups of users space that spans multiple courses to work collaboratively on documents and files
Users can post/reveal personal profiles within a course/group
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
5.1. Blog/Journaling functionality
Feature
Instructors can create (mandatory) journal tasks for users
Users can create blog /journal entries that are restricted to a course or group
Users can create blog/journal entries that are available to public on the Web
U sers can selectively assign who can view their blog/journal entries (by specific users/groups/course/multiple courses)
Users can personalize/customize loo k of their blogs/journals
Blogs/Journals can integrate with calendar function
Blog/J ournal entries are date/time stamped
Users can incorporate links to other resources in the VLE including other blog /journal posts
Users can incorporate links external to the system
Users can incorporate rich media in their blog/journal posts
Blog commenting
Users can share blog/journal entries and allow commenting:
- Within their own groups
- With other groups on the same site
- With other groups not on the same site
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
The availability of comments can be mandated on learning task specific journals
Not possible
19
Version 5
Feature
Comments posted to a blog/journal can be screened/moderated for approval before appearing (a user's right to screen can be overridden by the instructor for journal tasks)
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Support for co-authored and group blogs/journals, e.g. group activity log
Users can organize and archive their blog/journal entries
Users can search (selected) blogs/journals for specific entries
RSS feeds available for b logs/journals
Blog/journal posts can be gradable
Not possible
5.2. Wiki functionality
Feature
The ability to create a wiki within a course/group context can be delegated, including down to individual members
Group managers/instructors can bulk create wikis e.g. one for each group member
Wiki pages can include comments
Wikis or groups of wiki pages can be exported as text documents
Wikis and individual wiki pages can gradable
5.3. Personal environment
Feature
Users can customize their login entry interface
Users can customize their personal portal separate from individual course resources (add/remove/archive items)
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
20
Version 5
Feature Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Students in a given course can be allowed to customize their course interface
(add/remove items, look & feel)
Users can receive and organize RSS feeds
Please add any other comments that you think are relevant to Personal and Collaboration Space
Comments here...
6. User Management
Not possible
6.1. User Groups
Feature
Ability to allow selfenrolment in a group to members of defined groups
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
21
Version 5
6.2. Gradebook
Feature
Ability to import data (e.g. CSV, TXT, XLS) into the gradebook, i.e. Store grades from an assessment not generated within the system (e.g. paper hand-in)
Ability to expo rt the gradebook to a commonly used data format (CSV, TXT,
XLS, etc.)
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Abili ty to assign grades to groups of users
Ability to view group grades and data across the class in one screen
Support a variety of types of grading options
Allow creation of custom grading schemes
Selectively release grades to students
Time release grades to students
Release class statistics to students
Not possible
6.3. Reports
Feature
History of login to the VLE
History of login to the course
History of activities/navigation performed by users
Ability to view breakdown of time spent on page/topic/section/activity for each student
Easy e xport reports (to Excel, SPSS, text files, etc.)
Report on individuals and aggregated reports on groups of users
Integrate reports with gradebook (e.g. as a marked activity)
Please add any other comments that you think are relevant to User Management
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
22
Version 5
Comments here...
7. Repository-Specific Functionality
The VLE should deliver content (including quizzes) from a common repository that supports sharing and reuse of resources in different courses/groups. The Library's Digitool product might be appropriate for this, but if not the VLE may need to deliver the following functionality:
23
Version 5
Feature
Support OpenURL to support mediated linking from course/group sites to library services?
Support the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-
PMH) to query distributed information sources from within a course/group site
Support for Learning Content exchange standards
IMS Content Packaging
SCORM
IMS QTI
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Authors can create resources in the VLE and then share/archive them in the repository for reuse
Authors can upload resources to the repository for reuse
Release of repository resources beyond the author and his/her immediate colleagues should be controlled by staff who will assure the quality, licensing, copyright. etc. of those materials
Authors can link to and also incorporate resources into course/group sites from the repository (subject to licence)
Authors can create local versions of repository resources in their areas (subject to licence)
Store and retrieve course templates/backups from a repository
Share questions and quizzes within and between courses
Qu estion bank utility with tagging/cataloguing of individual question items and quizzes
Intuitive searching of resources available in the repository
Maintain Previous Revisions of Resources
Please add any other comments that you think are relevant to Repository Specific Functionality
Comments here...
Not possible
24
8. Usability
8.1. Help etc.
Feature
Context sensitive help
Proven training/workshop materials for all categories of user
Consistent interface that reduces the need for training
Supports the inclusion of custom/context specific help
8.2. Accessibility Features
Feature
Allow users to override normal page colours with a user-defined scheme
Keystroke alternatives for all navigation
Integration with campus-supported screen readers
Do all generated web pages meet the W3C/WAI Priority 1 accessibility checkpoints?
Please add any other comments that you think are relevant to Usability
Version 5
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
25
Version 5
Comments here...
9. Architecture & Development
9.1. Development Model
Feature
Distributed development – allows devolved development
Supports easy management of devolved development
Customisable look (branding)
Enables development of extensions
9.2. Interoperability
Feature
Implements commonly used standards and specifications, e.g. Enterprise,
SCORM, Common Cartridge, QTI.
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Not possible
26
Version 5
Feature
Uses standard API for building connections with external systems
Has recognition in international e-learning content and systems markets through provision of standard plug-ins and content
Please add any other comments that you think are relevant to User Management
Already exists Planned within
12 months
Possible but not planned
Comments here...
Not possible
10. Departments Using Multiple Systems
Please indicate below the reasons why you are using multiple systems to provide online support and administration of teaching and learning:
Comments here...
27
