Change Log
ATutor 2.0.3
September 14, 2011
- Integrated Assignment Drop Box: The assignment dropbox module, previously an addon module, has been integrated into the ATutor core code base.
- Integrated External Tools Module: The external tools module, previously an addon module, has been integrated into the ATutor core code base. This module adds IMS Basic Learning Tool Interoperability (BLTI) support to ATutor, making it possible to seamlessly link external elearning tools into ATutor.
- Security Enhancements: Many new security enhancements have been added.
- Fluid Infusion Upgrade: Fluid Infusion, used to create many of the "Web 2.0" interactivty in ATutor, has been upgraded to version 1.4. This upgrade fixes a variety of bugs, including the MultiFile Uploader, which now works across a wider range of browsers.
- IMS Common Cartridge Updates: The IMS Common Cartidge validation libraries have been updated, fixing a number of content interoperability bugs. The speed of cartridge validation during import has been greatly increased.
- Refinements and Bug Fixes: Lots of smaller bug fixed and theme refinements, many of which are listed in the bug tracker's changlog
ATutor 2.0.2
December 21, 2010
- Vimeo Video Support: Much like embedding Youtube videos in content using the ATutor [media] tag, embed your Vimeo videos as well.
- Group Photo Albums: ATutor's Photo Album module has been extended to provide group level albums that group members can use to share photos with others in a group.
- Module API Editor Tool Extension: The module developer API has been extended to allow developers to create modules that extend the ATutor Content Editor. Soon to be available, a BasicLTI extension.
- Many Theme and Bug Fixes: See the bug tracker changelog for a list of significant fixes added in this release.
ATutor 2.0.1
October 20, 2010
- Flowplayer Upgrade: Upgrade to Flowplayer 3.2.4. Adds support for mp3, mp4, and mov media formats.
- Common Cartridge & AccessForAll Refinements: Added support for remote content as part of Common Cartridge and AccessForAll course materials.
- Big File Support: Larger media files can now be imported into ATutor, and large courses can now be moved around more easily in course backups or Common Cartridges.
- Theme Refinements: Many adjustments have been made to the default themes included with ATutor, providing support for a broader range of browsers, and for ATutor displayed in right-to-left languages.
- Mobile Theme: The first version of the ATutor mobile theme, created during the 2010 Google Summer of Code, is now included with the ATutor public source code. Users can now use ATutor on their iPhone, Blackberry, or their Android mobile device.
- Fixes and Adjustments: Lots of feature adjustments and bug fixes have been included in this release. Browse the Bug Tracker for a list of all the changes.
ATutor 2.0
July 6 2010
- Common Cartridge & AccessForAll Integration: Import, export, and author interoperable Common Cartridges with AccessForAll adapted content included.
- Code Restructuring: Much of the source code has been restructured to better modularize core and standard modules, making it easier for developers to swap modules for their own custom versions.
- AccessForAll Toolbar: While viewing content that has adapted versions available, toggle the adaptions on and off to see what's available, or set your preferred content type (textual, visual, auditory, sign) in your preference settings.
- Preferences Wizard: Easily adjust any of your personal preferences from anywhere within ATutor to control the appearance, which content formats you prefer, the navigation features added, and various other ATutor settings.
- Simplified Content Editor: The interface of the content editor has been simplified to make it easier for novice content authors to create their own accessible and interoperable elearning materials.
- New Look and Feel: The default theme has been updated with a new look, integrating a variety of accessible Web 2.0 functionality, like drag and drop features and inline editing.
- FlowPlayer Integration: The FlowPlayer open source multimedia player has been integrated into ATutor, making it possible for users to view video-based content without needing a movie player plugin.
- Integrated Photo Gallery: The ATutor Photo Gallery module has now been integrated into the system as a standard module. Create private, shared, course, and profile albums. Link your galleries into your ATutor Social networking area, or access galleries in your courses.
- Things Current: ATutor modules have been extended with a new News feature that feeds out anything changing in content associated with the module. All the news feeds are compiled into the Things Current list that appears on a users My Start Page.
- AContent Authoring Tool and Repository: Add the NEW Transformable authoring tool and repository to your ATutor installation to house shared content. Search the repository for content, and import content directly into your ATutor courses. Or, export content directly from ATutor into the repository, for sharing or editing.
- OAuth Integration: The Open Authentication standard has been implemented in ATutor, making it much easier to link it to other systems that support the standard, create a single signon across the systems ATutor might be paired with.
- ATutor Social API: Developers can now gather information from ATutor Social to integrate into other social networks, or to develop mobile, desktop, and Web applications for accessing ATutor networks.
See the Mantis Changelog for additional adjustments and bug fixes.
ATutor 1.6.4
December 2009
- Common Cartridge: Author, Import, and Export IMS Common Cartridges. Cartidges are bundles of content, tests, Web links, and learning activities. Create your own cartridges using the ATutor content authoring tools. Import an external cartridge, from OpenLearn for example, then modify the content to your liking. Export cartridges for reuse in other courses, or in other learning management systems that support common cartridge importing.
- UI Enhancements: More collapsable menus, and inline editors for editing content directly in the menu. Sub menu replaced with an easier to use tool bar for quicker access to tool features.
- Prerequisite Tests: Now set access to content based on passing a test.
- See the full list of changes.
ATutor 1.6.3
July 2009
- Social Networking: Users are able to develop a profile, and form networks of contacts. The Google OpenSocial Container standard has been implemented in ATutor, and the primary social tools have been developed. A wide range of existing tools conforming with the OpenSocial Gadget standard can be plugged into ATutor to create a personalized networking environment.
- Fluid Libraries Upgrade: Developers can now make use of the tools available in the Fluid Infusion 1.1 libraries. Implemented in this release, the grid reorder, used to drag-and-drop course tools to order them. The Fluid multifile uploader has been upgraded. Other tools now available for development include an inline text editor, an inline WYSYWIG editor, several reoderers for arranging interface features, and more. See the Fluid site for a full list of components.
- Theme Updates: A bunch of the older themes have been updated to work more effectively with new features in ATutor.
- jQuery Glossary replacement for Overlib: The aging OverLib library used to generate glossary popups has been replaced by a more modern jQuery based glossary utility. (Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine)
- Detailed Course Tools View: Instructors can now choose to present course tools as the standard icons available in previous versions of ATutor, or present them in a detailed view that includes the latest information generated by a tool, such as current tests, the latest forum posts, or direct links to chat transcripts for example. Course tool icons have been updated with some fresh new ones. (University of Bologna)
- Added LaTeX support: Now use LaTeX math equations anywhere in ATutor, including forums, blogs, content, test questions, announcements, etc.
- CAPTCHA Security: Administrators can now turn on CAPTCHA to ensure only humans, and not machines, can register in ATutor. Includes audio CAPTCHA for those who can not see CAPTCHA images. (Fraser Health Authority)
- Maximum Login Security: Administrators can set Maximum Login Attempts to prevent repeated trys at guessing user login information. (Fraser Health Authority)
- TinyMCE WYSIWIG Update: The ATutor visual editor has been updated with TinyMCE V3.2.5
- AChecker Update: ATutor's accessibility checker has been updated with the new AChecker 1.0, with its Web services linked into the content editor to provide integrated accessibility checking during content creation.
ATutor 1.6.2
December 2008
- IMS AccessForAll & ISO FDIS 24751 : AccessForAll support provides authors with a means to add alternate forms of content to their content packages, such as captions for a movie, or a transcript for an audio presentation, or perhaps a flash presentation as alternate for text based content, etc. Learners can define in their preferences which forms they prefer, and those forms appear in place of, or in addition to the primary content, allowing content to adapt to individual user's learning preferences. ATutor AccessForAll Wiki Page
- IMS QTI Test Interoperability: QTI test exporting was introduced in the previous version of ATutor, and in this version IMS QTI test importing has been introduced, allowing test developers to backup tests, move them, or share them with others. ATutor QTI Wiki Page
- Integrated Content Packaging: Content packaging has been upgraded to the latest IMS CP specification, and AccessForAll and QTI has been integrated with content packaging so content, alternate formats, and tests can all be exported and imported together. Import content and tests from IMS Common Cartridges.
- Gradebook Integration: The ATutor Gradebook, available as an addon module for ATutor 1.6/1.6.1 has been fully integrated into ATutor, becoming a standard module. ATutor Gradebook Wiki Page
- Forum Archiver: Instructors can create archives of forums from past courses to make them available to future enrollees.
- Forum Search: The ATutor Search tool has been extended to search through forum messages, either in the current course, or in all one's enrolled courses, or in all available courses.
- Student Tools Page: Course tools can now be moved from the course home page onto their own Student Tools page, to clear the home page for a splash screen or to display only announcements etc..
- Module Import/Export: All ATutor extra modules are now available on update.atutor.ca, and can be imported through the ATutor Module Manager directly from the module repository. Developers can use the module Export tool to package up modules for redistribution. Modules have now been extended with a module uninstall feature, so it is no longer necessary to remove modules manually.
- Theme Import/Export: Community contributed themes will be available on update.atutor.ca, and can be imported through the ATutor Theme Manager directly from the theme repository. Theme designers can use the theme Export tool to package up themes for redistribution.
- Theme Designer Documentation: The ATutor Theme Designer Documentation has been integrated into the ATutor Handbook.
- Guest Test Data Collection: Instructors can now create public, guest accessible test, and collect data and personal information from guest submitters for review and data analysis.
- New System Preferences: Administrators can now set the local time zone for ATutor, and user can set their own local time zone if it differs. Administrators can turn public registration on or off, turn the student's Unenroll feature on or off, and can turn instructor requests on or off.
- Further Fluid Integration: The Fluid multi-file upload utility has been be added, allowing batches of files to be uploaded together. Fluid Multi-File Uploader Wiki Page
- See the full list of changes.
ATutor 1.6.1
July 2008
- Patcher: Available as an addon module for version 1.6, the Patcher module has been integrated as a standard module. Patcher allows administrators to update their systems with new features and patches issued at update.atutor.ca in between releases. It also allows developers to create patches for new features etc. that can easily be merged into ATutor to become a permanent part of the public source code.
- WCAG 2.0 Conformance: The default theme has been updated to conform with the recently released WCAG 2.0 accessibility guidelines. Primary adjustments include the addition of fieldsets to group related form fields, and focus highlighting to make it easier to see where the cursor is located when navigating through ATutor using a keyboard.
- TinyMCE Editor Update: TinyMCE has been updated to version 3.0.8, and that annoying conversion of saved content to a blob of text has now been resolved. TinyMCE also now preloads when the content editor is opened, so it is possible to switch between the text editor and visual editor without having to reload the page.
- Custom HEAD for Content Pages: Content authors can now include custom HTML HEAD information with content pages, so custom styles or scripts, or references to styles or scripts, can be included to control the look and or functionality of content. Includes added support for eXe created content, maintaining styles and scripting in content packages generated by the content authoring tool.
- Fluid Theme: A new experimental version of the default theme has been added that integrates the Fluid libraries, allowing users to drag-and-drop interface components to a new location on the screen to suit their preferences (e.g. drag the menu from the left to right side)
- Password Encryption: In addition to admin password encryption added in 1.6, all users passwords are now encrypted
- Media Tag Parameters: the [media] tag can take height and width parameters to customize the size in which media displays. It also allows YouTube videos in languages other than English.
- Pretty URLs: Administrators can enable Pretty URL to replace various URL variables with a more readable form, which Google can now index so course content can be searched using Google. Instructors can also define a course directory which gets added to the URL while in a course. Apache mod_rewrite can also be turned on to pretty URLs further.
- Auto Login and Enroll: After registering, new users are automatically logged into My Start Page. Administrators can set an enrolment trigger. When a new user follows the trigger link, they are automatically enrolled in the courses associated with the trigger when they register.
- Test Pass/Fail Feedback: Define a pass score for a test, and feedback for passed and failed attempts, and have the approriate feedback displayed automatically when a student views their test results.
- Google Talk: Adds instant messaging to ATutor for live chats
- Google Calendar Module: Users can integrate their personal Google Calendar into ATutor.
- Resume Test Feature: Students can return to a test they started previously, and continue from where they left off.
- Certificate Module: Based on a pass score on a test, automatically issue students a certificate.
- Forum Archive Module: Instructors can export forums from finished courses as an HTML archive.
ATutor 1.6
December 2007
- System Conversion to UTF-8: ATutor runs now exclusively using the UTF-8 character set, greatly improving support for multilingual ATutor installations, or courses that contain content in multiple languages.
- Custom Course Icons: Instructors and Admins can now upload a custom icon to appear with a course listing, in addition to being able to choose from the staock icons provided with ATutor.
- Recursive Content Release: Now when the release date of a parent content page is set, all its children adopt that release date automatically
- New Look: ATutor and atutor.ca have a new more current look and feel.
- See the full list of changes.
ATutor 1.5.5
August 2, 2007
- LaTeX Support: It is now possible to embed
LaTeX equations using
[tex] … [/tex]. - Multimedia Support: It is now possible
to embed mpeg, mov, wmv, swf, mp3, wav, ogg, mid, and YouTube hosted videos using
[media]…[/media]. - See the full list of changes.
ATutor 1.5.4
April 16, 2007
- New Test Question Types: Ordering questions require the test taker to correctly assign given items in a particular logical order or rank, and Matching questions require students to pair question items in one column to alphabetised answer items in another column. And a first for any LMS, Matching questions can be presented in a graphical Drag-and-Drop interface. Sponsored by the Royal Danish Defense College Distance Education Centre.
- QTI 2.1 Test Question Export: Test questions can be exported according to the QTI 2.1 specification.
- X-Sendfile Support: If installed and enabled by the webserver, ATutor will use the X-Sendfile header to send content files to the browser, which increases performance greatly.
- Guest Tests: If enabled, guests to a course can now take practice tests. Sponsored by the Fraser Health Authority.
- Authenticated Access: Instructors can now allow access to their private or protected course to guests via the use of a secret URL. Sponsored by the Fraser Health Authority.
- Forum Post Editing: Students can now edit their own posts within a specified number of minutes. Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine.
- Improved User Administration: Administrators can now batch update user accounts. Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine.
- Saved Sent Messages: Sent messages are now saved in the sender's Sent Messages area. Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine.
- Profile Pictures: Users can now upload a picture to display on their profile. Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine.
- Adminstrator Enrollment Manager: Course enrollment can now be managed by administrators.
- See the full list of changes.
ATutor 1.5.3.3pl1
December 18, 2006
- Bugs: Two minor bugs with the Inbox and TILE search were fixed.
ATutor 1.5.3.3
November 30, 2006
- Display Name Preference: Administrators can now choose how account names are displayed.
- Custom Language Editor: Save your custom language so it can be preserved between upgrades.
- Time Zones: Administrators can now change ATutor's time zone. Requires MySQL 4.1.3+.
- Content Editor Preference: Instructors can now set their default content editor to either Plain Text, HTML, or HTML w/ Visual Editor.
- Public Profiles: Course members' profiles have been redesigned.
- MySQL 5.0: MySQL 5.0 support has been improved.
- Forum: It is now, finally, possible to move threads from one forum to another.
- See the full list of changes.
ATutor 1.5.3.2
August 1, 2006
- Security & Bugs: This minor release includes a few bug and security fixes.
- Language Management: It is now easier to manage existing and import new language packs. Even import new language packs automatically as they're published.
ATutor 1.5.3.1
July 18, 2006
- Security & Bugs: This minor release includes a few bug and security fixes.
ATutor 1.5.3
July 5, 2006
- Groups: Assign students to groups with group specific forum, file storage, blog, and more. Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine.
- File Storage: Share and collaborate on documents. Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine.
- Assignment Drop-Box: Used in combination with the File Storage, allows students to submit files individually or as a group. Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine.
- Encypted Login: If supported by the browser, passwords will be encrypted upon login.
- Password Retrieval: Retreiving a lost password no longer sends the password via an email, but rather sends a more secure link which is then used for resetting the password.
- Course Splash Page: Create a custom splash page for each course.
- Student Tools Page: Optionally move student tools onto their own page.
- Updated Themes: The default themes have been updated and now include a third theme.
- Test Question Reordering: Arrange test questions in any order.
- Group Blogs: Groups can now maintian their own blog as well as view other groups' blogs. Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine.
- Administrator Return Link: Administrators can now jump easily between the administration section and courses without having to re-login each time.
- Course Email Upgrade: Send bulk email to users with different course roles, or send emails to group members.
- Reading List: Assemble a detailed list of course readings from various resources.
- Course Release Date: Set the date at which a course becomes available to students.
- Translatable Handbook: The ATutor Handbook can now be translated and browsed in multiple languages.
- Language Manager Search: It is now easier to find and edit existing terms and phrases.
- Administrator User Search: Administrators can now more easily search through student accounts to find a particular student, or a range of students. Sponsored by the Fraser Health Authority.
- Scheduling (Cron) Utility: Setup scripts to run automatically at specified intervals. Good for sending auto reminders, sending emails stored in the mail queue, or running system backup scripts.
- Public Level Modules: Modules can now add sections to the public and My Start Page areas.
ATutor 1.5.2
December 14 2005
- Module Installer: Administrators can install and developers can create modules to be included as part of a course.
- HTML Editor Replaced: The WYSIWYG HTML editor previously available in the ATutor Content Editor has been replaced with an ATAG compliant version of TinyMCE, with an accessible interface, and tools for creating accessible content.
- Frequently Asked Questions: A course-specific FAQ module has been added.
- Web Search: A Google web search module has been added.
- Syndicated Feeds Reader: A syndicated feeds reader has been added allowing administrators to create side menu blocks from RSS feeds.
- Preferences & Course Defaults Builder: Administrators can now specify the default preferences used when new accounts are created as well as the default layout and set of tools for newly created courses.
ATutor 1.5.1 pl1
September 15 2005
- Security Patch: Fixes a possible security issue.
ATutor 1.5.1
August 16 2005
- Administrator Language Preference: Administrators can now set their language preference for their own account.
- User Contributed Handbook Notes: Optionally allow users to contribute notes to the ATutor Handbook.
- Administer Theme Preview: Administrators with Theme privileges can now preview a theme before enabling it.
- Language Clean-up: Language terms have been decreased by 30% from the previous version.
- Redesigned Login: A redesigned login page makes the new user experience friendlier.
ATutor 1.5
July 12 2005
- Bundled Help: Instructor and administrator documentation is now bundled with each installation of ATutor.
- Extended Themes: Themes are now simpler to create and allow for more flexibility than before. The default look and feel of ATutor has been improved.
- SCORM Run-Time Environment & SCO Manager: Thanks to Matthai Kurian and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich for creating an ATutor SCORM run-time environment (RTE) and SCO package manager. Add prepackaged, interactive, interoperable, content to your courses. Initial support for SCORM 1.2 LMS-RTE3, with additional SCORM support coming.
- Course Tool Preferences: Instructors can choose from the available course tools and menu modules, selecting only those that are used in a particular course. Optionally display tools in the main navigation bar, or link them into the course home page for quick access.
- Multiple Administrators: Create multiple administrator accounts assigning specific privileges to each.
- System Preferences: Edit the system configuration options from within ATutor.
- Require Email Confirmation: Optionally require all newly created accounts to validate their email address before logging in.
- Directory: Courses now provide a way for all students and instructors to find each other.
- Content Usage: The Course Tracker has been replaced with the Content Usage section, allowing instructors and students to find the most and least visited content pages and track their usage.
- Master Student List: Require newly created student accounts to be authenticated against a custom imported student ID/PIN paired list.