InterLoc: Digital Dialogue Games - Recently Updated Pages

Learning Manager Guide

simonMac — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:49:17 CST

The latest Learning Manager Guide (pdf) is attached to this page - look at the bottom.

The sub-pages (click on a sub-page in the box on the left) here take you through the managerial functions in InterLoc.

Introduction

Version Change List

simonMac — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:41:16 CDT

See version specific subpage - Changes & Fixes v5.0
Keeps track of changes to the InterLoc program in each version - updated by developers only

The latest release of source code is 5.0F on 17Jun2010 - download (zip)

Changes & Fixes v5.0

simonMac — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:28:43 CDT

Updated by developers only

5.0F (Current)

Fix to make Reply visible immediately to the Reply owner. Previously some replies were not visible to the reply owner until something else changed on the screen.
Fix to swap non-standard characters into HTML hex encoding - allows Apple Mac to send special characters

Known bugs in 5.0F

Failure to scroll down to make inline edit box visible. Workaround: scroll down.
Logout occasionally fails to paint sign-in window completely - user can sign in but sign-in error messages are not shown. Workaround: close InterLoc and restart.
Learning manager view occasionally fails to pick up room or user data (no data is shown). Workaround: press Refresh button.

5.0E

Fix to allow non-standard characters to be sent as UTF-8. Special characters used to cause the message not to be sent without any error message.
Fix to open inline forms within visible area. Edit/Create of a user and the Reply form could open but be invisible and would need to be scrolled down to make them visible.
Hosted XMPP service, port, language and user announcement are made parameters from jnlp file. This change makes InterLoc more flexible with regard to different configurations outside LondonMet. The administrator can edit the jnlp file that controls webstart to assign alternative XMPP hosts, port, default language and to make announcements on the sign-in page. Alternative jnlp files can assign alternative parameters to InterLoc.
Sign-in window cleaned up as a result of previous change. The Host and port inputs by the user have been removed. The full copyright appears when a link is clicked to make the sign-in page more streamlined.
An error message appears if the LM clicks Create User without a room existing. If no room existed and the Manager tried to create a user it failed. A room must exist to be assigned to the created user.
On the Create Room form the defaults for Activity and Game templates are displayed.
The output dialogue html file referred to a non-existent folder in interloc.org for a spacing PNG. This is corrected and the output now follows the screen format.
Fix for newly created room, not yet viewed, could not be accessed after it was archived

5.0D

fix for locked reply/contribute remaining when contribution was cancelled by another

5.0C

fix for crash on creating room with invalid chars - only alpha,digits and -_ allowed now
fix for Contribute input being interrupted by another user
text can be translated to other languages through 'translate.properties' file
(note: dialogue games will also need to be translated separately)
images can be substituted through 'images.properties' file
Code files have reference to GPL v2 licence incorporated
Open Source release through InterLoc at SourceForge

5.0B

copyright and licence acknowledgements on sign in window
appropriate titles of Activity and Management window
Confirm on Replace of saved files
remove Help link to interloc website (there is no help there)
Added activity title and date/time to transcripts

5.0A

add .xml and .html to saved files as appropriate
Open/Save dialogs retain last directory navigated to in this session
Open/Save dialogs have appropriate titles
View as HTML changed to Save as HTML just writes file now does not call browser
Logout now closes discussion window

InterLoc Technical Issues

simonMac — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:20:17 CDT

This section deals with InterLoc version changes, official bugs, reported problems, suggestions for improvement, etc.

LTRI InterLoc Server
A change in the server and XMPP service was made 17thJune 2010.
The InterLoc website is http://interloc.org.uk and the InterLoc client can be run from http://apps.interloc.org.uk/webstart/interloc5.jnlp

InterLoc: Digital Dialogue Games

simonMac — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:08:05 CDT

Welcome to the Digital Dialogue Game community.

We are a select group of people who are using Dialogue Games for learning and InterLoc is the tool we employ to deliver them. We welcome new members - you can join through an existing member or email the community administrator and explain why you want to join.

Look through the site using the page menu on the left. It is organised by section with a number of subsections. You can unfold any section by clicking on the ►, then click on any page.

What you will find here:

Guide to using InterLoc
How to start Interloc
Ways to set up Dialogue Activities and Activity files to use
Dialogue Games to use
InterLoc Technical Issues, versions, report problems and suggestions
A way to get help from experienced members

Look through the Members in the toolbar to see who is already a member. Filling in your profile makes this wiki a friendlier place.

Funding

Digital Dialogue Game development was funded through grants from rounds 1 and 2 of the UK JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) 'e-learning tools' programme, and recently with a grant from the JISC Capital Programme.


Developers and Partners

Learning and Teaching Research Iinstitute (LTRI)	School of Educational Studies and Lifelong Learning	Institute for Educational Technology

	Oxford University Continuing Education	Centre for Educational Technology and Interopability Standards

Launch InterLoc

simonMac — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:42:32 CDT

InterLoc requires Java 1.6 installed on your computer in order to run.
You can check Java in Control Panel (see General:About).

Have your InterLoc username and password ready for login.
These will have been given to you by a Learning Manager.

Launch InterLoc5
This link always points to the current version.
The current version is presently 5.0F
You can copy the link and use it from anywhere.

Since 17/6/2010 Interloc moved to a new domain (interloc.org.uk). Please update your links.

Using InterLoc

simonMac — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:39:39 CST

This area contains everything you need to know about using InterLoc and it's where you can find the link to run InterLoc too.

The menu on the left contains pages and subpages. Click on the triangle to unfold the subpages.
Look at the Quick Player Guide and then run InterLoc from the Launch InterLoc subpage.

For a deeper look into InterLoc and administrating Dialogue Games look in the Learning Manager Guide.
The latest Learning Manager Guide is attached to the Learning Manager Guide subpage.

Preparation and Viewing the Activity

simonMac — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:35:29 CST

This is an example activity - as seen by Players and Facilitators. It has two sections Preparation and Discussion.

Preparation consists of one or more links to online materials for reading/viewing to gather information before the game starts. The triangle at the end of the header will display/hide the text for the article - the text is displayed in this example.

The Discussion Activity is the topic for the Dialogue Game you will play. The purpose of the game is shown and below is the topic to be discussed. When you are asked to start the game click [Play Now]. You will then see the Dialogue Area.

Note on the left panel is a list of players in the room at the time (in this example the player Srm). At the top and right of the page is a Chat tab, this will take you to a simple Chat area which you can use to talk to other players before or after the game.

At the bottom of the screen is an indicator that the player Srm has joined the room 'airport' where the discussion will take place. Also there is a [Logout] button which takes you back to the Sign in screen. (Next page)

InterLoc Sign in

simonMac — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:33:54 CST

Enter the username and password given to you by your Learning Manager and click Sign in.

Users with Player and Facilitator status will see the assigned Activity and Room.
Users with Learning Manager status will see the Management page.

Note the client version, XMPP service address and port are shown on this page.
Use these when reporting any problems.

(Next page)

Quick Player Guide

simonMac — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:30:39 CST

See the three sub-pages of help (in the menu on the left) to explain what a Player needs to know to play a Dialogue Game or open pdf attachment at bottom of this page.

Fixed Problems v5.0+

simonMac — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:38:53 CST

See posts below
For developers to report progress on fixes. Updated by Developers.

Report Problems

simonMac — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:38:07 CST

Use the specific version subpage to report problems - updated by everybody

Suggest Improvements

simonMac — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:32:47 CST

Use the Threads feature and Post below to make suggestions for improvement.
Updated by everybody.

Report Problems v5.0+

simonMac — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:29:45 CST

Use the Threads feature and Post below to report any problems with the general version 5.
Everybody can add posts.

Please put the sub version, if any, (eg 5.1) - you will find it on the sign in window.
Can problem be repeated? If so, how?

Creative Thinking

simonMac — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:12:05 CST

(attachment below)

File name: CreativeThinking.game

Author & date: R Wegerif & S McAlister

Institution: Exeter U. & London Metropolitan U.

Description of purpose: To stimulate a creative approach to discussion

Adapted from game file: CDR

Improvements needed: The number of openers is too large, needs weeding down more

Tips on use: Jan-09 not used much, need to get players into right mindset of creativity

(now attach file with .game type)

Nature of Science

simonMac — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:10:47 CST

(attachment below)
How Science Works in the National Curriculum

Topic Question
"The national curriculum for Science as currently defined is totally inadequate to meet the purposes of science education and gives a false impression of the nature of science." Discuss!

Readings
http://curriculum.qca.org.uk/
Read the sections of the national curriculum website which explain what pupils need to learn about the key concepts and processes of science.

Purposes of Science Education
http://education.exeter.ac.uk/download.php?id=4980
Read the Beyond 2000 paper and use it, along with your own ideas, to make a bullet point list of ideas about what science education is for. Write about 200 words about the ways in which the national curriculum does or does not (!) align with these purposes

Nature of Science
http://education.exeter.ac.uk/download.php?id=7401
Read the paper, "Philosophy of Science: An Overview for Educators" (Machamer 1998) and use it, along with your own ideas, to make a bullet point list of what characterises science. What distinguishes it from e.g. astrology or mathematics? Write about 200 words about the ways in which the national curriculum reflects your characterisation of science, or is in conflict with it.

Template attached

Tombstoning

simonMac — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:09:22 CST

(attachment below)

Topic Question
Extreme sport or just a stupid and dangerous activity?

Readings
Tomb-stoning
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/6281396.stm
Tomb-stoning is the practice of jumping off cliffs, piers, harbour walls or other high points into the sea and in recent years it has claimed the lives of a number of people across the UK. This news article illustrates the dangers of Tomb-stoning, which caused the death of a man and left two others with severe injuries.

Video showing participants 'Tomb-stoning' off a rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE1zQFQ5EDw
This is just one example, but there are many that show people enjoying this extreme sport.

The 'Top Ten' extreme sports
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4505195.stm
Contains the 10 top extreme sports such as, Base Jumping, Mountain Biking, Cliff Jumping and more. But the article also suggests no list of extreme sports can be all-inclusive as someone somewhere may come up with an alternative or variation on any of the sports that currently exist.

What those who do 'Tomb-stoning' think about it?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ifs_news/hi/newsid_4778000/4778179.stm
A 15 year old 'Tombstoner' in Plymouth Hoe, describes how he enjoys this 'cool' and risky activity. Others suggest local people have been jumping into the water for years and understand the risks and know how to avoid them. Unlike visitors, locals know when the tides go out and will stop jumping, whilst visitors continue to jump even when tides are going out.

Template attached

DNA Database

simonMac — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:08:47 CST

(attachment below)

Topic Question
DNA is not like a finger print, it is actually a batch of your genetic code and currently around 4 million people have their DNA permanently retained on the National DNA database. Some argue that everyone's DNA should be kept on a database to help fight crime, do you agree?

Readings
All UK 'must be on a DNA database'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6979138.stm
A senior judge has said the whole population and every UK visitor should be added to the national DNA database.

Genetic Testing in Insurance and Employment
http://www.genewatch.org/sub-555115
The Government held a consultation (in Sept 2007) on its Discrimination Law Review, to ask people: "/Do you agree that there is no current justification for legislating to prohibit genetic predisposition discrimination?/" GeneWatch believe legislation is needed to protect people

YouTube video - Genetic fingerprinting
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lMDm9IC4-2c
Provides an overview as well as moral and ethical issues of DNA testing. It also describes a variety of applications for DNA testing (not just crime scene investigations), e.g. paternity, matching organ donors with organ recipients; the authentication of sports memorabilia and more.

Old crimes solved after DNA blitz
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3232744.stm
Police have cracked 64 unsolved crimes following the DNA testing of prisoners and offenders with mental disorders.

Template attached below

Social

simonMac — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:08:01 CST

Activities whose topic is in the social realm. See subpages

Open

simonMac — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:06:13 CST

See subpages