Content and Tools

During 16 years of working in the field of e-Learning Competentum has developed a big portfolio of tools and technologies. These pre-developed stable technologies can be used in e-Learning project to benefit in both speed and quality of production.

Competentum offers licensing of our technologies, which cover the following areas:

• Competentum.Author

  Competentum.Author is an authoring tool for the creation of e-Learning courses:

  Designed for compatibility with all SCORM compliant LMS systems Supports Flash technology for Multimedia rich presentations Ready-to–use design templates which let you focus on the course content Simple user interface for the manipulation of images, audio movie clips, and flash movies to text Supports an easy to manage tree structure for course development 15 advanced question types for test creation Ability to import Microsoft PowerPoint slides Option to encrypt SCORM content for added security Support of international e-Learning standards (SCORM 2004, SCORM 1.2, AICC)

• Knowledge Space Builder

  With Knowledge Space Builder utility you can:

  • Perform qualitative analysis of achievements, not just numerical measure
  • Use knowledge spaces logic for rapid and accurate knowledge assessment
  • Build adaptive SCORM-conformant courses and assessment scenarios

  Knowledge Space Builder is an innovative assessment tool for outcome-based and skills management testing. It allows developing special type of adaptive testing scenarios. While standard tests typically give result as a numerical measure of student's progress, knowledge space based tests provide precise and complete information on student's competency in a subject in a form of a knowledge state, that describes topics or skills mastered by the student and the ones the student is most ready to learn. The output of the Knowledge Space Builder is a SCORM 2004 conformant course with adaptive testing logic embedded.

  

  Knowledge Space Builder Features:

  Integration Features	Convenient Subject Structure Definition
  Export of courses in SCORM 2004 format Support of XML format compatible with third party LMS content Import subject taxonomy from MS Excel	Subject taxonomy defined as knowledge space tree Visual presentation of knowledge space structure as a prerequisites tree and a graph available for editing and printing Rapid creation of knowledge space structure using an adaptive questionnaire (defining precedence relations between knowledge items)

• Adaptive learning solutions

  Competentum Adaptive Learning Suite includes a full set of technologies and tools for implementation of adaptive learning courses in a SCORM-based environment. Adaptive learning enables engaging, personalized, and thus more efficient learning experience, and allows for consistent objectives-based electronic curriculum. The course activities and media are delivered according to student’s progress and preferences.

  All components of Adaptive Learning Suite fully conform to SCORM 2004. The Suite is platform independent, its modules can be adopted into any learning management system to enable SCORM 2004 support.

  Competentum Adaptive Learning Suite includes the following modules.

  Sequencing engine

  The powerful implementation of SCORM 2004 (1.3.1) Book 4 Specification “Sequencing and Navigation” based upon IMS “Simple Sequencing” spec. This is a standalone Java library that could be integrated into different Learning Management Systems environment to add sequencing and navigation functionality. This functionality is responsible for the playback of adaptive courses created using SCORM 2004. The engine contains SCORM Run-Time Support submodule which exposes controls of the sequencing process to course player, LMS or other applications during scenario’s playback. In contrast to systems from other vendors, RT submodule supports ALL of the SCORM variables, including time-based. The library can be used through direct Java API calls or as a standalone web application that provides Web Services access.

  

  Adaptive scenarios

  Adaptive scenarios’ templates are reusable implementations of different pedagogical strategies, like prescriptive learning, knowledge-paced learning, preferences-based learning, learning in situation environment, which automatically accommodate various learner behaviors. Each template is supplied with learning process application guidelines, use cases, and working example of an adaptive scenario based on a template. An instructor can instantiate new scenario from the template and fill it with the content using an authoring tool. Templates also contain specific parameters which are being made available for setting up in the authoring tool by the instructor.

  Course player

  The elementary Learning Management System, implemented as web application with FULL support of SCORM 2004 (1.3.1) shared content objects rendering and processing. The player contains several client-side modules - adapter objects, which are used to communicate SCORM Runtime data model variables to LMS’s tracking system, sequencing engine or other applications. These objects are implemented in a browser independent way. The main functionality of the Player is to provide delivery environment for adaptive learning scenarios and to enable controls for Sequencing engine during their playback. This application could be used as a base of more complex LMS providing SCORM 2004 functionality.

• Math and Science equation publishing tools

  MetaTeX Technology

  There is a number of different ways to edit and distribute documents containing equations over the Internet. In order to choose an appropriate method, you should consider whether you are comfortable with complex methods which provide greater control or prefer simpler solutions which yield more basic pages, and what requirements you can comfortably impose upon the people viewing your documents.

  Competentum's MetaTeX technology offers a wide range of such methods. MetaTeX is a Java-based technology for displaying any mathematics, physics or chemistry formula. It provides a complete solution for web publishing of documents within a single website, no installed programs or browser plug-ins required. Any machine with Java 1.1 enabled browser is just fine for all math web publishing preparation routines.

  The MetaTeX technology is fully integrated with MathML – a W3C standard for encoding equations. MathML formulas can be translated, edited and exported back in MathML form. Special characters are displayed with antialiasing. A set of graphical elements used by MetaTeX core can be easily extended. One can develop a new graphical element and easily incorporate it in MetaTeX. No changes in MetaTeX core are required to incorporate a new element. It is a flexible technology allowing to create either light or power versions for client or server use. The MetaTeX technology allows to create or load mathematical expressions, edit them, convert formulas to GIF images that can be easily embedded in Web pages and other documents. An HTML document containing a formula can be built automatically. Correct vertical positioning of equation within a string is also provided.

  MetaTeX Modules Collaboration Diagram

  The following picture represents the collaboration of MetaTeX modules and client-server interaction.

  

  All web publishing routines are divided into modules with independent user interfaces, sharing some common core components:

  • Equation Editor
  • Math Docs Web Processing

  Online quiz powered by MetaTeX is an example of using MetaTEX technology for developing a distance learning tool. It provides wide opportunities for creating test problems and questions. The stdents' answers that include complicated formulas can be entered as MetaTEX expressions.

  Equation Editor

  The MetaTeX Equation Editor is a general-purpose equation editor specially designed for working with equations in a web browser. It's implemented as Java applet, combining small size comfortable for online usage with comprehensive functionality. MetaTeX Equation Editor can be embedded in Web pages as a means of getting mathematical input from readers.

  You can use a set of convenient toolbars with math symbols to easily create the most complicated formulas. These formulas can be translated into MathML format. On the other hand you can post a MathML code, convert it to MetaTeX and edit visually. Every formula you create can be exported as a GIF image. This allows you to create documents containing math formulas that can be viewed using any browser without having to install any plug-ins.

  The following scheme illustrates how the Editor works. You can click on the image to load MetaTeX Equation Editor:

  

  MetaTeX Equation Editor features:

  • Easy-to-use graphical interface
  • Smart equation blocks selection mechanism
  • Comprehensive set of symbols and templates
  • Supports common editing features such as cut, paste and undo
  • Edit style and color of each formula element
  • MathML import
  • Saves equations as GIF images
  • Customizable set of symbols and templates

  One can easily customize the set of symbols and templates, which MetaTeX Equation Editor uses, to include only essentially needed elements and reduce the applet size even more.

  Math Docs Web Processing

  This module is designed for server processing of HTML pages with MathML-encoded equations. The browser with special MathML plug-in is usually required for viewing such documents. All MathML embeddings are transformed into GIF images of appropriate formulas and replaced with links to these images. Therefore the resulting page is browser independent. It can be viewed with any browser without having to install any plug-ins. The user has an option to download the resulting document (ready for web publishing and viewable in all browsers) and all corresponding images.

  

  A frequently encountered problem when embedding a math formula into text is the vertical alignment of the formula. Usually when one inserts a formula in a web documents it is placed higher or lower with respect to surrounding text. The position of the formula has to be adjusted manually. This is not a problem anymore since MetaTEX Math Docs Web Processing. Correct vertical positioning of equation within a string is provided. Just insert MathML equation into your page and it will be automatically adjusted with surrounding text. Moreover, the size of surrounding text doesn't matter. Its font size may be way bigger of smaller - the formula will be aligned correctly anyway.

  See the following sample fragment of a document to see how the formula is aligned with a text of different size:

  

  Online Quiz Powered by MetaTeX

  Not all tests and problems can be answered as a number or small expression that can be easily typed with a keyboard. Sometimes student's answer is a big and complicated expression containing special math symbols. How can a student enter an answer containing fractions, square roots, matrices, integrals, etc.? – The solution to this problem is MetaTeX.

  Online quiz powered by MetaTeX is an example of using MetaTeX technology for developing a distance learning tool. It provides wide opportunities for creating test problems and questions. The students' answers that include formulas can be entered as MetaTeX expressions.

  The following scheme illustrates the work of a quiz. Students answer the questions, the teacher views the answers and grades them. All students' answers and grades are kept in the "Registry". Each student can view his/her grades and the teacher can see the students' progress. The teacher can also see statistics on each question.

  

• Content development technologies

  Competentum Group has developed numerous educational products. They include both Internet-based and CD software in physics, mathematics, chemistry, economics, astronomy, etc. Our products are translated into many languages and distributed in different countries by Science Software (USA), Knowledge Books and Software (Australia), bvh-Verlag GmBH. (Germany), TR-Verlag (Germany), Applidea S.r.l. (Italy), Sciensoft (France), Bradtford Technology Limited (UK), and many others.

  The significant feature of our products is interactive components. Java simulations and Flash animations allow you to carry out the most complicated scientific experiments and observe natural phenomena in our virtual labs.

  Competentum interactive components features:

  • science-based models, with multiple representation approach, advanced graphics and interactivity
  • Java applets, Macromedia Flashes
  • add extra pedagogical value for courseware of different content
  • powerful tools for Internet-based educational systems development
  • precise mathematical calculations
  • visualization of scientific phenomena
  • virtual laboratory principle
  • compact size suitable both for online and offline usage
  • integration with the testing system ability

  Competentum Group has developed its own libraries to produce interactive components. Java simulations are created using OBJava library and for Flash animations Flacon and Flacon MX libraries are used.

  Gradable simulations

  Recently Competentum has released new modifications of OBJava 3 and Flacon MX libraries which are the base for most interactive simulations. Modifications include support for retrieving and changing the state of all controls (spin boxes, check boxes, text fields, etc.) from outside the simulation object (applet or flash animation) without recompilation of the existing simulation. The states of simulations could be retrieved using JavaScript.
  
  Gradable simulations can be used in test problems (including algorithmic tasks) to provide more visualization and improve learning efficiency.

  OBJava

  Most Competentum interactive components are based on OBJava library. OBJava is JDK 1.1 based library for rapid and cost effective creation of Java based applets. The latest version of this library 3.0 features:

  

  • JDK 1.1 based library for rapid creation of interactive models
  • Two reusable sets of GUI components
  • Skins support
  • State control
  • Scripting
  • Copy protection

  This library based on JDK 1.1 and implements common functionality of all interactive models. The latest version contains two sets of interchangeable controls that support skins. Each OBJava applet supports the state control and scripting via JavaScript. OBJava as well gives API to protect applets from unauthorized copying or downloading.

  Flacon

  A great number of interactive models are based on Flacon library developed by Competentum Group. Flacon is Macromedia Flash based library, it's purpose is similar to OBJava library. The library features:

  • Macromedia Flash based library
  • Controls with skins support
  • External resources
  • Math support

  Flacon has its own set of controls that support different skins. Also it has external text resources that allow to easy localize models using regular text editor like Notepad. Flacon extends mathematical abilities of standard Flash, that allow to create complex physical models.

  Flacon MX

  Flacon MX is a new library for creating interactive components developed by Competentum Group. Based on Macromedia Flash MX, it has numerous new features compared to Flacon including graphing library, complex math equations rendering tools, and advanced interactivity. Flacon MX is a perfect solution to create simulations with both great graphics and complex math calculations.

  Flacon MX features:

  • Visual Development
    One of the basic purposes for developing the library was to make creating interactive simulations as easy as possible. Therefore, most actions can be done visually. For example, you can simply drag-and-drop a component from the library to the scene and then adjust most parameters visually as well. This feature is especially helpful when working with graphs, mouse controrls, etc.
  • Event Handling
    A good event handling system is a perfect way to improve the software's interactivity. In a usual Flash animation the executable code is strictly attached to the button. Flacon MX allows to separate objects and events. No access to the sender is nessesary. This approach is significantly more flexible, since the event caused by one object can be handled by any other object.
    
    
  • Object Oriented Approach
    Simulations created with Flacon MX are usually pretty complex, having many objects like graphs, formulas, complex controls, etc. Describing the state of such objects with a timeline having a great number of key frames is pretty hard and it takes much time. Flacon MX allows incapsulation of complex objects. The developer only has to place the object on the screen once and then just call the object's functions.
    
    Many objects of the library have common properties. Flacon MX allows multiple inheriting of other objects' properties.
  • Skins Support
    Flacon MX controls can be slyled using predefined skins.
  • Math Expressions
    Flacon MX has a sublibrary FlaTeX rendering math expressions defined in Presentation Markup MathML.
  • Graphs
    FlaG library is a graph rendering module of Flacon MX. It has numerous tools to make graphing easier and more effective. FlaG features:
    • Graphing template with axes and scales allowing both visual and program setup
    • Different types of curves definitions allowing antialliasing and interpolation for graphics acceleration
    • "Funcs" – functions that can be acted upon with operators (like differentiation)
    • Realtime scaling
    • Additional graphing functions (dotted lines, arrows, markers, etc.)
  • Setups
    The particular state of the simulation (the state of all objects like enabled/disabled controls, the active element of a ComboBox, etc.) can be saved as a "setup".
  • Modularity
    The runtime part of the library is divided into separate modules which can be used independently. For example, math expressions support is defined in the module "formula.swf" and to use spinboxes you must include "spinbox.swf".
• Content management technologies

  Competentum has created the following technologies for content management and publishing:

  • Course ML – content oriented, XML based language
  • Chem ML – technology for Chemistry objects management featuring Chem2D/3D Molecule Visualizer
  • Open Repository – object oriented database for learning objects
  • Web-CD Synchronization System – solution to synchronize assets on a CD-ROM with links on a web site

  Course ML

  One of the mainstream technologies that Competentum uses to integrate all course components is CourseML.

  Course Markup Language (CourseML) is the XML based solution that allows rapid and cost-effective course creation. CourseML fully separates course content from the program shell and visual design. CourseML features:

  • Content oriented, XML based language
  • Separation of content and style
  • Immediate conversion to HTML
  • MathML,TeX, ChemML notation support
  • Several styles support (CD, Web, PDA)
  • Automatic Index and TOC creation
  • Full text search
  • Integrated personal and network testing system
  • Zooming for interactive models and pictures

  The following diagram shows the typical course development process from XML sources to final HTML based products – CDs, Open College Workshop, etc.:

  

  CourseML consists of a number of program components developed using XML, XSL, Java, Visual Basic, JavaScript and Tcl:

  • Content in XML format (XML)
  • XML Processing Shell (XSL, JScript)
  • Design Shell (CSS, XML)
  • JavaGIF Servlet (Java)
  • Downloader (Tcl/Tk)
  • Utilities (Visual Basic)
  • Local and Network Registry (Java)
  • Indexing and Search System (Java)

  Competentum has already released three CourseML based CD-ROM products and three more products are in progress now. CourseML technology allows to deploy interactive courses on PDA like PalmOS or PocketPC computers.

  

  CourseML is an extensible technology. Mathematical notation support is an example of its extensibility. CourseML can process math expressions in MathML (W3C Standard) and MetaTeX (Competentum Standard) formats. In the final product these expressions are presented as GIF images that generated with JavaGIF servlet.

  Chem ML

  Click to view the demo

  Chem2D/3D Molecule Visualizer is designed for displaying 2D structure formulas and 3D models of molecules. To describe 2D and 3D molecules we use ChemML (not CML) - a uniform XML based format. The library allows to display a molecule in the form of a 2D structure that can be used in Chemistry textbooks and in the form of a 3D model that can be viewed with a special 3D Visualizer.

  ChemML features:

  • XML Syntax
  • Single format for 2D and 3D formulas
  • Visual Designer
  • Integration with CourseML 2.x
  • Compatibility with JavaGIF (server side processing)

  Molecule Visualizer is integrated into a CourseML 2.5 content management platform which allows to insert 2D structural formulas directly into the text of a tutorial. The formulas are transformed into GIF images with a special JavaGIF servlet on the CourseML server. Clicking on the formula structure scheme opens the window with its 3D representation. 3D Visualizer allows to rotate a molecule with a mouse for better understanding of its structure.

  We have also developed a special formula editor for creating molecule models. The editor allows to work with both 2D and 3D models of a molecule. The editor interface is shown in the picture below.

  

  Open Repository

  Open Repository is a web-oriented database that allows managing a great number of interactive components. Open Repository expands the abilities of traditional source control systems like Visual SourceSafe and CVS. It functions as a building and packaging factory that contains a lot of additional information about each unit. Open Repository contains simple Java applets, OBJava based applets and Flash animations. NT security is used to separate user rights.

  The following diagram illustrates the typical use of Open Repository. During the development process Open Repository is used by programmers and testers. Testers can access Open Repository database from any platforms, therefore it significantly simplifies the testing procedure. When the unit it ready it can be exported to CD-ROM products, OpenCollege Workshop, or can be used by project managers to combine new solutions.

  

  Open Repository features:

  • Web database of interactive models
  • Java applets and Flash support
  • Automated compiling and packaging
  • Visual Source Safe and CVS support
  • Treelike catalog
  • Exports into several formats
  • Role based security integrated with NT

  Open Repository has a simple web based object oriented interface. It also has a build-in treelike catalog allowing to organize interactive components into hierarchic structure. Each catalog record contains a link to the unit, its description, two screenshots and other information. One can export both entire catalog or a part of it into different formats. For example Open Repository catalog is used in Open College e-Learning Content Library.

  Another application of the catalog is a special add-in module that allows to embed interactive components into Power Point presentations. You just have to press a button and choose a unit from the catalog.

  Web-CD Synchronization System

  One of e-learning solutions developed by Competentum is a CD-WEB Synchronization System. CD Synch is a solution to synchronize assets on a CD-ROM with links on a web site.

  Competentum has created a great number of interactive educational media components. We have a lot of videos, but there was a problem publishing courses containing these videos online because of some users' limited speed of access to Internet (for example people using analog telephone lines to access Internet). These users could not have appropriate connection speed to work with interactive content.

  We have found a solution to the problem of including videos and large size components in our online courses content. We have developed the CD Synch system - a solution to synchronize assets on a CD-ROM with links on a web site.

   

  

  The purpose of the system is to provide transparent links to the media resources in a browser when the user works with website content. When installed on a PC this system looks for the required media resource and shows it to the user either from a CD or from the website.

• Dynamic system technologies

  Dynamic Systems Interface

  "Sound Lab" simulator based on DSI library (the simulator is part of CPU Project)

  During the development of any dynamic system - which may be a simulation, an information editor (text processor, table editor, grapher, etc.) there are always a lot of similar problems that the developers come across. The purpose of Dynamic Systems Workshop is to prevent from developing the same features over and over in different projects.

  Dynamic Systems Interface (DSI) is an object-oriented interactive graphical library for cross platform programming, supports serialization, scripting, data-view separation and event-handling. DSI Framework is designed for creation of mathematically accurate models of physical, chemical, economical and other effects and processes. Each DSI simulation (simulation is one model created with DSI Framework) is a Java applet, that can be embedded in a web-browsert and work from both local workstation and server. The simulation suggests constructor-metaphor for assembling model or process of the specific object domain. The object domain is determined by a set of tools and engine of the simulation. Simulation supports library-level scripting, undo/redo, setup saving and loading to/from local drive or remote server, screenshot saving, native clipboard.

  Competentum Dynamic Systems Workshop features:

  • Cross-platform solution. DSI is implemented on Java platform, works on all java-enabled platforms, including Win, MacOS, Unix/Linux. Users of Web-version of the product can also use these tools via Internet without installation.
  • Integration with content. DSI tools are Java applets. This allows to embed them in any enabled Web-Browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator) and work with these tools within other documents.
  • Common Interface for all tools. Due to common base library the tools provide identical interface.
  • Simple and user friendly interface based on constructor metaphor.
  • Collaboration support. DSI tools store models in compressed small size setup files. Users can share setups through Internet, discuss and exchange setups they have created.
  • Full featured solution. Supports library-level scripting, undo/redo capabilities, native clipboard, screenshots producing, printing from browser, saving/loading of the setups via Internet.
  • Simplified process of building new models. DSI supports tool sets for specific object domains. This allows in some cases to create models using specific tools without coding the model description.

  
  "Current Electricity" simulator based on DSI library
  (the simulator is part of CPU Project)

  The library-level scripting allows to run the simulations in demo/presentation mode when the user can observe the process of simulation creating/editing.

  Simulations provide the ability to store/print screenshots and can be used for creation of the mathematically accurate illustration.

  
  Competentum graphing engine "Plotter"

  Simulations can support native clipboard (for example, the user can create picture in external editor and then paste this picture in simulation).

  DSI is a stable library, tested on different browsers, with different JVMs (Java Virtual Machine).

  DSI technology was used in San Diego State University projects:
  Constructing Physics Understanding in a Computer-Supported Learning Environment Project (or the CPU Project)
  and
  Constructing Ideas in Physics Science.

  Another example of DSI technology implementation is Competentum graphing engine "Plotter" created for Competentum's "Open Mathematics. Functions and Graphs." product. This module is designed for creating, modifying and studying graphs of functions.

  Virtual Scientific Laboratory

  

  Virtual Scientific Laboratory is the Web application of DSI technology. It is a Web-forum in which one can use scientific simulators to create messages. The user can select a simulator, create his own setup, attach it to the message, and post in the forum. Others can view the dynamic system and reply by changing the setup.

  The laboratory as well allows the communication between a teacher and students (e.g. the teacher assign and grade students' homework).

  Virtual Scientific Laboratory features:

  • one could save his own setups or load some predefined setups
  • both common and personal setup storages supported
  • web forum with the ability of attaching setups to messages

  DSI to Flash Converter

  Open Teach has developed a number of Java Simulators based on DSI library. These simulators allow us to easily create accurate models of physics processes. However to play these experiments the user must load a big library and have Java installed in the system.

  Flash movies are very convenient for Internet: these movies have small size and the format is very popular. But there are some problems in creation of movies that model physical experiments. A teacher usually has knowledge, but cannot use Macromedia tools to produce a movie. On the other hand it is hard for Flash editors (who can use Macromedia tools) to program a mathematical model of the experiment. Besides Macromedia tools do not allow to code complex mathematical laws due to poor math library.

  The following table compares Flash animations with Java Simulators as tools for creating accurate models of scientific experiments. The advantages and drawbacks of each technology when used for this purpose are illustrated:

  Java Simulators:	Flash Movies:
  convenient tool for math models	small size
  large size	popular format
  required Java support	embeddable
  	hard to create math models

  Competentum has developed a technology that allows to produce a tool for creating mathematically accurate model-movies of physical effects and processes. Our solution is creating a Java simulator that produces a Flash movie as a result of modeling process.

  

  
  
  
• E-learning tools and libraries
• Content applications