[Xerte-dev] Re: page type tweaks & possibly new page types for Maths project...

[Julian Tenney]

I'm not going to have time to help out I'm afraid. The usual rules would apply: if it's of generic usefulness, then it's a candidate for development in the build. If it's getting specific, then it's either a new page type in their installation, or as you've done, a custom page. If we have to debate whether something is 'generic', it probably isn't. The problem is, with your coin one, then the image to image DnD is generic on a one to one basis, but the logic for deciding if the coins add up to £1.00 isn't.

From: xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Ron Mitchell
Sent: 15 March 2013 15:38
To: 'For Xerte technical developers'
Subject: [Xerte-dev] page type tweaks & possibly new page types for Maths project...

Hi all
my messages seem to be taking an age to get through to this list again not sure why but anyway I'm hoping this gets through relatively quickly...

On behalf of JISC Techdis I've recently been supporting a Maths project and those involved have been testing if XOT is suitable for what they want to achieve. There is a mix of experience amongst the group but no real developer skills etc

Prior to going on holiday last week I sent them some possible solutions to interactions they were trying to achieve most of which involve wishing to drag images to images etc I showed them how/where they could add img src etc to load images where the page type only has text options but obviously this is not ideal and doesn't fully suit their needs. Here's some examples of this:

possible drag and drop solutions
http://vle.jisctechdis.ac.uk/xerte/play_html5_221

Patterns
http://vle.jisctechdis.ac.uk/xerte/play_html5_237

Timings
http://vle.jisctechdis.ac.uk/xerte/play_html5_241

The more recent example I received from them was the need for a coin interaction attached and in advance of a f2f meeting yesterday I created a quick demo of this via Xerte and uploaded as an rlm to xot:

coins interaction
http://vle.jisctechdis.ac.uk/xerte/play_262
Obviously that's Flash only, isn't a page type, isn't editable in xot etc which brings me to the real point of this message:

The result of the f2f meeting yesterday is that they ideally want some additional functionality developed and I think this is likely to fall into two categories:
1. Adding additional options for adding images to existing page types e.g. those that involve dragging and dropping
2. Creating 1 or more new page types tat allow creation of interactions similar to the coins example
The end results must work via HTML 5 if not both Flash and HTML 5

I've said that I would discuss all this via the dev list first of all to see what you think about changes to existing page types and also new page types and just as importantly to check if any or all are interested in working on this?

This isn't the first time the wish for drag and drop image to image etc has cropped up and could result in additions to benefit all. BUT they need to have developed and tested pilot content by June so it's a very short timescale and although I'm involved I don't think I have the time or skills to help them with this without extra help. They will pay for development but the first step is to identify if anyone is interested in helping with this and then at some point we will need to estimate time and costs etc.

What are your thoughts?
First point relevant to us all is would we agree to include additions to current page types or new page types when there isn't yet parity between existing Flash and HTML 5 etc? It's a non-starter if we don't.
Second point who's willing and able to help?

Contact me on or off list if you are interested.

Cheers
Ron
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