New: SCORM API wrapper for ActionScript 3.0
I just converted my AS2 SCORM class to AS3.
New: SCORM API wrapper for ActionScript 2.0
I just finished an ActionScript 2.0 class file meant to be a companion to my JavaScript SCORM API wrapper. It includes a bunch of type checking, type conversion, and error-checking, and works with both SCORM 1.2 and 2004.
SCORM API Wrapper updated to 1.1.1
Found a small bug when using the wrapper with Flash (AS2): functions that return string values (such as SCORM.data.get()) were coming out ‘undefined’. (grr)
Explicitly typing the return value as a string seems to make Flash happy.
SCORM API Wrapper updated to v1.1
Some small edits to the wrapper: Fixed a few typos in debug statements Added extra error-checking during SCORM.connection.initialize; if connection cannot be made AND no error code is given, display notice that server has not responded. Related links: Original SCORM API Wrapper journal entry pipwerks.com SCORM page
Building e-learning courses: Should we use e-learning authoring tools?
Most e-learning tools do not promote the creation of effective courses, web standards, or accessibility; they merely make cookie-cutter course development easier for technically inexperienced course developers.
A revised SCORM API wrapper
I’ve been a longtime user of the ADL wrapper (with code from the late Claude Ostyn), and to be honest, it’s pretty much met my needs. But I was never completely comfortable with the wrapper for two reasons: 1) The code is hard to read with confusing and overly complicated looking variable names, and 2) the code made heavy use of global variables, which in this Web 2.0 world is a big no-no. This past week I decided to roll up my sleeves and make a new SCORM API wrapper that takes care of these issues.
Loading Captivate files into an AS3 Flash SWF
I researched the different methods available for AVM1 to AVM2 communication, and discovered there are a few workarounds that can enable the AS3 SWF to communicate with the AS2 SWF. I spent the entire day whipping up a Captivate-specific proof-of-concept.
LMSs are just websites… no, really!
Folks, it’s simple — if you have to paste a “this site works best with XXX browser” message on your site, whether it’s an LMS, an online course, or just a website for your mom’s knitting club, you’re doing something wrong. Do us a favor and stop it.
DevLearn 2007
Today was the day… I gave a presentation at the eLearning Guild’s DevLearn 2007 conference in San Jose. Topic? Captivate-to-Flash ActionScript Communication.
Assistive computer technology and web accessibility
Just thought I’d pass this link on: http://www.assistiveware.com/videos.php (short write-up here — thanks to Roger Johansson for the link.)
These are video profiles of people with disabilities — mild to severe — who use assistive computer technology to improve their lives. Some people use the computers to simply help them with their jobs (such as a blind person who is a professional French-to-English translator), while others use their computers as a lifeline to the rest of the world.
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Armed with a basic understanding of accessibility, and with a little planning, a web developer can create courses and/or websites that contain rich content — even Flash movies and videos — while supporting a majority of assistive computer/alternative web browsing technologies.