www.open.ac.uk/telstar/ jason platts lead technical developer the open university an overview of how...
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Jason PlattsLead Technical DeveloperThe Open University
An overview of how the Open University has incorporated bibliographic references within their Moodle-powered VLE
References and bibliographic management within Moodle
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How to ‘Hack’ TELSTAR
WARNING!
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It’s all about…
Reference data:• Creating• Importing• Interpreting• Storing• Displaying• Providing
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Moodle does:
• Creating (Interface)• Importing (Accessing)• Interpreting• Storing• Displaying• Providing
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RefWorks does:
• Creating• Supplying (File + RSS)• Storing (MyReferences)• Displaying (Styling)
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Generating reference data and importing into Moodle.
We need data in a structured format
Title: Using Moodle: Teaching with the popular open source course management systemAuthor: Cole, Jason Publisher: O'Reilly Community PressPlace of publication: Sebastopol, CAYear of publication: 2005ISBN: 0596008635Format: Book
We need to collate references
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References
Generating reference data and importing into Moodle.
RSS feedXMLRIS
RefWorks XML Format
Storing (MyReferences)Displaying (Styling)
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What we’ve added to Moodle:
Bespoke Modules
References Filter
References code library
Resource Page + MyReferences
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Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
Internal OU module – used to present lists of resources used on a course to students.
Might be several per course e.g. ‘Library resources’, ‘Block 1 optional readings‘.
Resources:• Files (usually PDF or mp3)• Web links (inc RSS feeds)• Links to other Moodle activities (forum etc)• References (web links)
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Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
What we support:
• Web links• References• Files
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Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
References:• Imported from file or RSS• Styled (RefWorks)• Link generated using ref data• Ref data stored• Interactivity (export)
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Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
Reference importing process
File RSS
1. Check file2. Convert3. Sort4. Get styled ref5. Get Links6. Get description (<no>)
7. Create item
1. Check feed2. Add feed title3. Convert4. Sort5. Get styled ref6. Get Links7. Get description (<no>)
8. Create item
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Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
Reference styling process
Resource page mod
APIBib
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XMLOpenURL service
(SFX)Online source
Generate OpenURL from data in XML:• Looks at reference format (e.g. book)• Uses set of ‘rules’ to form URL• Manual override using set data fields
SFX connects to Library catalogue and authentication services to ensure source is accessible
Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
Providing links to reference sources
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Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
Storing reference data
Ref data (RefWorks XML) stored in Moodle DB
<reference><rt>Journal Article</rt><a1>Author</a1><t1>title</t1><jf>journal full name</jf><yr>2010</yr><vo>volume</vo><is>issue</is><sp>start page</sp><no>Notes</no>…
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Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
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Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
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Move reference data into other areas of the VLE• MyStuff (e-portfolio)• MyReferences (Moodle module)• Collaborative activity (Moodle filter) – enables sharing of references
Download reference data for import into bibliographic management software e.g. RefWorks, EndNote, Zotero
Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
Adding functionality to references
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Bespoke Modules: Resource Page
Key Files
mod/resourcepage/ - Class based
addreferences.php
export_references.php
extensions/rssfeed/rssfeed.php
resourcepage_item.php – display reference
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MyReferences
Connects via API to users RefWorks accounts
“Core” RefWorks functionalitySimple familiar interface
Extra functionality:• “Shared” accounts• Connect to other services• “Push” references to students
MyReferences – Bibliographic management module; integrating Moodle with RefWorks.
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MyReferences
Needs RefWorks API access key and password
Contact RefWorks for this – free.
You must have RefWorks at your institution.
These details need adding to local/references/rwapi/rwapi/php
http://code.google.com/p/telstar/wiki/TelstarLocalizations
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MyReferences
mod/refworks - Class based (static classes)
http://code.google.com/p/telstar/wiki/MyReferences_code
refworks_base.php – Main library
refworks_connect.php – Connection to RW
refworks_ref_api.php – RW API calls
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Moodle Reference Filter
http://code.google.com/p/telstar/wiki/RefFilter
This feature allows users to share reference data with each other in collaborative activities
(wiki, forum, blog).1. Export to filter format (Collaborative Activity)2. Filter interpretation + display
1. Search for ref text (refworks xml)2. Create text summary3. Drop down of export types
Uses AJAX to call export in background.
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Moodle Reference Filter
http://code.google.com/p/telstar/wiki/RefFilter
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Reference library
Local/references/
Connection to external services • RefWorks API• WorldCat• CrossRef
Styling of references (RefWorks)Conversion types (import and/or export)Export menuLink generation
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Uses RefWorks XML as data format
RefWorks API:• Supports all RefWorks features• RESTful service (HTTP + XML)• Authentication (access key + password)• Accesses institution instance
Reference library
rwapi/rwapi.php – handles sessions + key functions
RWAPI
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Reference library
Other services
• WorldCat (data from ISBN)• CrossRef (data from DOI)
File: getdata.php
Connection details (user/password etc) hard-codedIn this file.
All services (inc RefWorks) are connected to usingcURL library.
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Reference library
Reference styling
APIBIB – Performs same function as RefWorks QuikBib service; but uses API.
Imports refs into VLE ‘Master’ account in tmp folder.
Uses API to return styled output.
Deletes folder + refs.
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Reference library
Conversion
Convert to and from RefWorks xmlFormat Import Export Export type
RefWorks XML Download
RIS Download
RefWorks RSS
MyStuff Export
Reference Filter Export
RefWorks Direct Export Export
RDF-a (Experimental!) Export
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Reference library
Conversion
convert/ folder
Base class controls format.Tests contents.
export.php – export functions• Export menu• Defines export type
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Ideas for extra functionality
• Add references to other Moodle areas
• Add extra format support• Other bibliographic formats
• Add extra features to resource page• Populate from alternate source
• Use alternate services• Reference styling
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www.open.ac.uk/blogs/telstar
Want to find out more?
Code released under open-source licence
http://code.google.com/p/telstar/
http://groups.google.com/group/telstarou
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