Wikiversity:Interactive learning resources

One of the main goals of Wikiversity is to provide free and open learning resources to all learning groups. Besides traditional text books, discussion forums, and illustrations, many modes of learning are based on the interaction with a subject. This page is the starting point to explore the already available interactive learning tools, and to add and discuss new ones. Currently, we define as "interactive resources" all pages contained in Wikiversity that let a learner interact with the visible objects on that page and thus explore a topic or concept by changing those objects or by recording their behavior in time and space within that page. This may include a wide range of resources, from browser based simulations and interactive graphics to the manipulation of external objects through the controls provided in the page. Also, projects to define a framework for a set of such interactive resources and the organization and policies regarding their creation and use will be discussed in the pages referenced from here.

This page is also a status report on efforts to create a Rich Learning Resources Platform for Wikiversity.

Conditions at Wikiversity launch
During community discussions prior to the launch of Wikiversity, there was discussion of the need for MediaWiki software improvements that would support a Wikimedia learning-centered sister project. For example, some participants in those discussions suggested that Wikiversity would need software support for tests and quizzes.

Wish list for interactive technologies
Wish list for software modifications to support a Rich Learning Resources Platform at Wikiversity:
 * 1) test/quiz software
 * 2) software support for threaded text-based discussions within Wikiversity
 * 3) tracking software that would allow participants to keep track of which pages in a learning stream have been visited and mastered.
 * 4) sound and video file play on wiki pages
 * 5) Sandbox Server for "learn by doing" projects and streaming audio.
 * 6) more at: Technical needs
 * 7) an amenity to record the manifold audiovisual interaction of teacher(s) and a number of students real-time, simultaneously such as the functionality of WiZiQ

Progress

 * test/quiz extension and templates. Help:Quiz, Test and Quiz
 * Java-based player for OGG files, promise of media file integration by year's end?
 * Wiki Campus Radio experiments
 * Topic:MediaWiki
 * Learning blogs
 * Sandbox Server operational

Proposed interactive learning resource projects
List and discuss proposed interactive learning resource projects.
 * Interactive labs for concepts in Mathematics and the Physical Sciences.
 * Internet Audio and Video labs are planned to create new internet educational media resources as a division of the School of Media Studies. One of the pilot projects studies and experiments with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
 * Self Paced Reading and Grammar Labs

Examples of collaborative video creation

 * gmail experiment, also discussed here
 * TheWeblogProject Open-Source Movie

video archives

 * metavid
 * Internet Archive

Future directions

 * Can Wikiversity participants play a significant role in documenting MediaWiki and providing tutorials?
 * Can Wikiversity be a training center for MediaWiki developers?
 * Can Wikiversity get support for the Sandbox Server from the Wikimedia Foundation or does the Wikiversity community have to "go outside" to get support?

Summary and vision
Discuss how software support fits into the Wikiversity learning model and expectation that and open and free Rich Learning Resources Platform can be assembled for Wikiversity.