Welcome to ILIAS

ILIAS is an Open Source Learning Management System, offered free of charge, for developing and realising web-based eLearning. The software was developed to reduce the costs of using new media in education and to offer the maximum level of customer influence in the implementation of a Learning Management System. ILIAS allows efficient creation of courses and course materials. It offers standardized tools and templates for the learning and working process including integrated navigation and administration. ILIAS is available as open source software under the GNU General Public Licence (GPL) and can be used without any restrictions. Due to the openness of its source code ILIAS can be adapted easily to specific requirements. Users worldwide contribute already to the software development coordinated by the ILIAS open source team at ETH Zurich and University of Cologne.
The ILIAS 3 User Guide and Reference Manual

This documentation is the official documentation of ILIAS 3. It comprises two sections: an user guide and a reference manual.

a. the user guide: it describes how to do a certain use case. This kind of
documentation explains how things are done. The basis of a user guide are the use cases, which have been defined by the domain expert, who specified the requirements for the software. b. the reference manual: it describes the elements and the behaviour of the user interface or of a certain functionality. It is basically a specification on how things work. This documentation of ILIAS will be offered in several languages based on the same structure. All developers and users are welcome to participate in creating this documentation for ILIAS 3. Ask the ILIAS-Team for write access to this documentation.

Information for authors

The ILIAS user documentation is a dynamic document written and maintained by the ILIAS user community. Every contribution to this document is highly appreciated. The following guidelines shall improve the cooperative process of creating and maintaining this documentation. And they shall give the manual a uniform layout.
Guidelines for Authors

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Please take into account the distinction between user guide and reference manual. The reference manual should only describe shortly what a user can do on the shown screen. All "how-to"s have to be placed in the user guide. It is allowed to describe GUI[1] screens in the user guide as well. Pages describing features that are only interesting or accessible for certain user roles (e.g. system administrators or authors) should be indicated with a appropriate remark at the top. See example. Please use "remark" as characteristic for the paragraph. To avoid loosing too much space on a page please show screenshots only in reduced size (e.g. 50% length and width) and offer a full screen version additionally. You can save space on a page also by floating text around images.

IV.

V. VI.

When creating ILIAS screenshots, please do not log in as user with system administrator role unless you describe features only available for system administrators. This avoids having too much administration buttons on the screen which could irritate readers of the documentation otherwise. You can extend or improve existing pages of the manual. But please add a short comment in the page's history at the bottom of the page editor. And last but not least: please avoid technical language for describing features and processes. Every user should understand the manual easily.

[1] GUI = Graphical User Interface

User Guide
The User Guide provides step by step instructions for the most important activities that can be done with ILIAS.

Starting ILIAS
This chapter is about how to login into ILIAS and what you can do if you have forgotten your password.

Login (each time when using the platform)

To login to ILIAS:

1. Enter the internet address of ILIAS into the address field of your browser. This will show the Login page or the public area of ILIAS in your browser. 2. If the public area of ILIAS is shown in your browser, click at the link labeled Login. 3. Enter your user name into the login form. 4. Enter your password. Note: The password is case sensitive. For security reasons, ILIAS displays dots instead of the password in the entry field. 5. Klick at the Submit button. ILIAS will show your Personal Desktop.

Password forgotten - now what?

If you have forgotten your password, you can assign a new password to your user account using the steps shown below.
To assign a new password to your user account:

1. Open your browser, and open the Login page of ILIAS. 2. Click on the Link [Forgot Password?].
3. ILIAS opens a form with the title Password Assistance. Enter your user name and your e-mail address. If ILIAS finds the user name and associated e-mail address in its database, it sends a message to the e-mail address. Open your e-mail program and open the mail with the title ILIAS Password Assistance. Verify that the mail has been sent from your ILIAS server. If this is the case, then enter the internet address provided in the mail message into your browser. The browser displays now another formular entitled Password Assistance. Enter your user name and the desired password into the form. Then click at the Submit button. You can now log in with this password into ILIAS.

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Notes

The system administrator of your ILIAS server can turn the [Forgot Password?] link on or off. If the link is not shown, you can not assign a new password by yourself. In this case, contact your course administration or your system administrator. It is possible, that due to an invalid e-mail address stored in the database or due to a technical malfunction, ILIAS does not send an e-mail to your address. In this case, please contact your course administration or your system administrator.

Working with the Personal Desktop

The Personal Desktop is your personal space for organising your working and learning processes in ILIAS. For a detailed description of the elements and the behaviour of the user interface please see the reference manual.

Adding Items to the Desktop

1. Go to the repository and choose an item that should be added to your personal item list. 2. Click on Add to desktop behind the object title. 3. The item appears in the left colomn of your Personal Desktop.
Using Personal Items

By clicking on the item's title the choosen item is called and can be used in the presentation mode. In case you have the appropriate permission an Edit button appears right of the object's title. By clicking on this button the object will be called in the edit mode (authoring environment of learning modules, edit properties of categories and courses etc.). To remove an item from the personal desktop click the corrseponding Remove from desktop button.

Working with the Repository

The repository is the place where all content and learning objects, communication services, assessments and materials are stored. The repository is divided in categories and subcategories according to the contextual or organisational structure that has been choosen for creating this hierarchy. For a detailed description of the elements and the behaviour of the user interface please see the reference manual.
Navigating in the Repository

To enter the repository please click on the Repository button in the ILIAS main menu on the top of the screen. ILIAS will open the last visited location within the repository. The locator bar on top will always show your location within the repository. To go one level above of your current position you can click on the arrow-up icon on the right side of the current category title. Or you click on one of the category titles of your current position path.

Authoring Learning Content

This chapter is intended for content authors. ILIAS offers an integrated authoring environment to create learning modules, glossaries and digital books. Learning modules that are created with the integrated authoring environment are called ILIAS learning modules. There are two other types of learning modules that can be imported into ILIAS: HTML learning modules and SCORM/AICC learning modules. The following list gives you an overview on the different learning content types that are supported by ILIAS:

1. Learning Module ILIAS

o

Can be created and edited with the help of the internal authoring environment.

Can be imported from and exported to other ILIAS installations. o Can be exported as HTML for offline reading. o Can include text, lists, tables, source code, files for download, links to other learning modules and media objects like images, java, flash, ... 2. Learning Module HTML o HTML sites being imported as single files or as zip files. o Zip files can be unzipped on the server. o Single files can be replaced, renamed and be downloaded. 3. Learning Module SCORM o SCORM 1.2 compliant files can be imported (see http://www.adlnet.org/ for more information about SCORM) o ILIAS supports full RTE level 3 conformance. o All SCORM tracking data can be accessed. 4. Glossary o Glossaries are lists of terms and their definitions. o Can be created and edited with the help of the internal authoring environment. o Can be imported from and exported to other ILIAS installations. o Can be exported as HTML for offline reading. o Can include text, lists, tables, source code, files for download, links to other learning modules and media objects like images, java, flash, ...
o

How to create and edit an ILIAS learning module

Creating a new ILIAS Learning Module

1. Go to the repository location where the new learning module should appear. 2. Choose "Learning Module ILIAS" in the pop-up menu (top of the frame, right side) and click on Add. Precondition: You need the permission to create an ILIAS learning module within the current repository location. 3. Fill in a title (required) and add a description. Then click on Add ILIAS Learning Module to complete the process.
Editing an existing Learning Module

1. Choose the learning module you want to edit and click on the Edit button right from
the module's title. Precondition: You need the permission to edit the learning module for to see this button. 2. The authoring environment opens and offers you two frames: On the left side you see the current structure of the module with chapters and pages (this structure is empty when you created the module just before). On the right side you see the menu of the authoring environment and the properties. The categories of the menu are: properties, metadata, chapters, all pages, export, link check, permissions and show owner.

How to add content to an ILIAS learning module

An ILIAS learning module contains chapter and pages. The top level contains chapters only. Each chapter can contain subchapters and pages. Chapters can be nested in to any level. To add content to an ILIAS learning module you have to create at least one chapter and one page within this chapter.
Adding chapters

1. Open a learning module in Edit mode. 2. Click on the Chapters tab. 3. Hit the Insert (Chapter) button.
4. Enter title and description for the chapter and hit Add Chapter.
Adding pages to chapters

1. Select a chapter in the left frame named Chapter and Pages. 2. Hit the Insert (Page) button.
3. Enter a title and a description for the new page and hit Add Page.
Adding content to pages (Javascript inactive)

1. Select a page in the left frame named Chapter and Pages.

2. Select the content type that you want to add to the page in the selection list. There are six different content types: o Paragraph: This type allows you to add text paragraphs with different characteristics, e.g. headline, normal text, example, citation, mnemonic, remark. Every text paragraph characteristic has its own style, e.g. color or font type. o Code: This type allows you to add programming code within a page. It allows automatic syntax highlighting for different programming languages like Java, PHP, C, C++, HTML, XML, Visual Basic, Delphi and Latex. It also supports line numbering and automatic indentation. o Table: Tables consist of multiple columns and rows. Each table cell can contain every content type. It is also possible to nest tables within tables again. For convenience a spreadsheet import and an import of HTML tables is supported as well. o Media: This type allows to add media items like images, flash, java applets and movie files to your page. Each media item can include a standard representation and an optional fullscreen representation. The standard representation is displayed within the page. If a fullscreen representation is supported, a little lens icon is displayed at the bottom of the standard item. If the user clicks this icon the fullscreen item is presented in a separate window. o List: Lists consist of multiple list items. Differnet numbering modes like roman and alphabetic are supported. Each list item can contain every content type. It is also possible to nest tables or other lists within list items again. o File list: A file list contains files that can be downloaded by the users who works through the learning module. Every file type can be uploaded e.g. PDF, Word, Image files, ... 3. The following procedure depends on the selected content type. In most cases a Save button adds the new content and leads back to the page.

How to copy and move chapters and pages

Moving a page (Javascript inactive)

1. Click within the left navigation frame on the chapter that contains the page. The page list of the chapter will be displayed. 2. Click the checkbox of the page that should be moved and hit the Cut button at the bottom of the list. 3. Open the desired target chapter (by using the navigation frame on the left). 4. Click the checkbox of that page after which you want to insert your cut off page. If you want to make your cut off page the first page in the chapter, you have to click the checkbox next to the header "Pages" in the table. Now hit the Paste button. You can also use this procedure to move a page from on learning module to another.
Copying a page (Javascript inactive)

1. Click within the left navigation frame on the chapter that contains the page you want to copy. 2. Click the checkbox of the page that should be copied and hit the Copy button at the bottom of the list. 3. Open the desired target chapter (by using the navigation frame on the left). 4. Click the checkbox of that page after which you want to insert your copied page. If you want to make your copied page the first page in the chapter, you have to click the checkbox next to the header "Pages" in the table. Now hit the Paste button.
Moving a chapter (Javascript inactive)

1. Click within the left navigation frame on the chapter that contains the subchapter that should be moved. Click on the learning module title, if you want to move a top level chapter. 2. Hit the Subchapters / Chapters button in the tab menu in the right frame. 3. Click the checkbox of the chapter that should be moved and hit the Move button at the bottom of the list. 4. Open the desired target chapter (by using the navigation frame on the left) or click on the learning module name, if the cut off chapter should become a top level chapter. 5. Hit the Subchapters / Chapters button in the tab menu. 6. Click the checkbox of that chapter after which you want to insert your moved chapter. If you want to make your moved chapter the first chapter, you have to click the checkbox next to the header "(Sub)Chapters" in the table. Now hit the Paste button.
Copying a chapter (Javascript inactive)

1. Click in the left frame on the chapter that contains the subchapter that should be moved. Click on the learning module title, if you want to move a top level chapter. 2. Hit the Subchapters / Chapters button in the tab menu in the right frame. 3. Click the checkbox of the chapter that should be copied and hit the Copy button at the bottom of the list. 4. Open the desired target chapter (by using the navigation frame on the left) or click on the learning module name, if the cut off chapter should become a top level chapter. 5. Hit the Subchapters / Chapters button in the tab menu.

6. Click the checkbox of the chapter after which you want to insert your copied chapter. If you want to make your copied chapter the first chapter, you have to click the checkbox next to the header "(Sub)Chapters" in the table. Now hit the Paste button.
Moving and copying pages or chapters (Javascript active)

1. Drag the icon of the page or chapter within the left navigation frame and drop it onto the target item. 2. ILIAS will open a dialog that asks you whether the chapter or page should be moved or copied and whether it should be inserted before or after the target item. Click on the appropriate options and hit the Save button.

How to publish an ILIAS learning module

Before you publish a learning module at least one chapter and one page must have been added to the learning module.

1. Open a learning module in Edit mode. 2. The Properties screen contains an option called Online. Activate this option and hit
the Save button. Now every user that has read permission for the learning module can access and work through the learning module.

How to move content within pages

The following instructions assume that you have already opened a learning module page in editing mode.
Moving content elements (Javasript inactive)

1. Click the checkbox of the target element after or before which, the current element should be inserted. (Where should the element go?) 2. Open the command selection menu of the element that should be moved. (Which element should be moved?) 3. Select Move after or Move before depending on whether you want to insert the element after or before the target element. Hit Ok.
Moving content elements (Javascript active)

1. Drag the element using the left mouse button and drop it on the target element. 2. A small dialog will ask you, whether the element should be inserted before or after the target element.

How to create a HTML learning module

Creating a new HTML learning module

1. Go to the repository location where the new learning module should appear. 2. Choose "Learning Module HTML" in the pop-up menu (top of the frame, right side) and click on Add. Precondition: You need the permission to create an HTML learning module within your selected category.

3. Enter a title (required) and an optional description. Then click on Add HTML Learning Module to complete the process.
Editing an existing HTML learning module

1. Choose the learning module you want to edit and click on the Edit button right
behind the module's title. Precondition: You need the permission to edit the learning module to see this button. 2. The file list section of the HTML learning module is opened. It lists all files of the learning module. The top menu offers direct access to the other sections: List Files, Properties, Meta data, Bibliographic data and Permissions.

How to administrate files within a HTML learning module

All files of a HTML learning module are organised within a directory on the web server. You can upload single files or zipped files and unzip them on the server. It is also possible to create new subdirectories or to rename single files. You must specify a Start File that will be launched when a user accesses the learning module. Usually this file is called "index.html" or "index.htm". Please ensure that all links within your HTML files that refer to other pages of the learning module are relativ links like <a href="index2.html"> and not <a href="http://some.server.com/index2.html">. Absolute references will not work. Please note that some file extensions (e.g. "php") are modified during upload due to security reasons.
Uploading new files

1. Open a HTML learning module in Edit mode. 2. Hit the Browse button that appears in front of the Upload button.
3. Select the local file that you would like to upload and hit the Upload button.

How to publish a HTML learning module

Before you publish a learning module a Start File must be specified. To do this you must select the file that should be launched, if a user enters the learning module (e.g. "index.html"). After selecting this file hit the Set Start File button.

1. Open a HTML learning module in Edit mode. 2. Click on the Properties tab. 3. The Properties screen contains an option called Online. Activate this option and hit
the Save button. Now every user that has read permission for the learning module can access and work through it.

How to create a SCORM learning module

The Sharable Content Object Reference Model provides a technical framework with a harmonized set of guidelines, specifications and standards for e-learning. Major goal is to foster reusability of learning content. SCORM compliant content can be integrated and launched in any SCORM compliant LMS. ILIAS has been certified for full SCORM RTE level 3

conformance (SCORM 1.2). See http://www.adlnet.org/ for more information about SCORM.
Creating a new SCORM learning module

1. Enter the repository and go to the location where the SCORM learning module should appear. 2. Choose "Learning Module SCORM/AICC" in the pop-up menu (top of the frame, right side) and click on Add. Precondition: You need the permission to create an SCORM learning module within your selected category. 3. Select SCORM as type and hit the Browse button. 4. Select the SCORM file in your local file system and hit Upload. If you experience any problems concerning validation when you upload the SCORM file, you can try to repeat the upload process after disabling the Validate File option. But note that non-conformant SCORM modules may lead to ambiguous errors.

How to publish a SCORM/AICC learning module

1. Open a SCORM learning module in Edit mode. 2. The Properties screen contains an option called Online. Activate this option and hit
the Save button. Now every user that has read permission for the learning module can access and work through it.

How to create and edit a glossary

This section is intended for content authors. You need permissions to create and edit glossaries to perform the following tasks. Glossaries contain multiple terms that are explained by one or more definitions. A definition can contain all elements that can be used in ILIAS learning modules (paragraphs, media objects, lists, tables, ...). ILIAS uses the same authoring environment for glossary definitions as for pages in learning modules. Glossaries or glossary terms can be referenced within ILIAS learning modules via internal links.
Creating a new glossary

1. Enter the repository and choose the category where the glossary should appear. 2. Choose "Glossary" in the pop-up menu (top of the frame, right side) and click on Add. Precondition: You need permission to create and a glossary to perform this tasks. 3. Enter a title and a description for the glossary and hit Add Glossary.
Edit an existing glossary

1. Enter the repository, choose the glossary you want to edit and click on the Edit
button right behind the module's title. Precondition: You need permissions to edit the glossary, otherwise the button will not appear. 2. The list of terms of the glossary is opened. The top menu offers direct access to the other sections: Terms, Properties, Meta Data and Permission Settings.

How to add terms and definitions to a glossary

Creating a new glossary term

1. Enter the repository and open your glossary in Edit mode. 2. The terms list section contains a little form for adding new terms. Enter your term,
select the appropriate language and hit Add. 3. This opens automatically the authoring environment for editing the first definition. You can now add your content to the definiton (e.g. text paragraphs, media items, lists, tables, ...). The authoring environment is explained in detail in the section Add content to an ILIAS lerning module. 4. After you finished the editing of the definition hit << Glossary in the tabbed menu of the definition.
Adding a definition to an existing glossary term

1. Enter the repository and open your glossary in Edit mode. 2. Check the checkbox in front of your term and hit the Add Definition button at the
bottom. 3. The authoring environment for editing the new definition is opened. You can now add your content to the definiton. 4. After you finished the editing of the definition hit hit << Glossary in the tabbed menu of the definition.

How to publish a glossary

Ensure that at least one term and definition exists before you publish a glossary.

1. Enter the repository and open your glossary in Edit mode. 2. Click on the Properties tab. 3. Activate the Online option and hit the Save button.
Now every user that has read permission for the glossary can access and work through it.

Performing Tests and Surveys

ILIAS comes with two components of measuring and evaluating terms, knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs:

a Test & Assessment component for objective or subjective assessment with grading or as a self assessment a Survey tool to run evaluations to examine information about evaluands

Both components are equipped with powerful tools for statistical evaluation and export of evaluation data. If you have sufficient permissions, you are able to create your own assessment tests and surveys, otherwise your are only able to participate in assessment tests and surveys. The principles of creating, performing and evaluating assessment tests and surveys in ILIAS are described in the following chapters.

Why tests in ILIAS?

ILIAS features four different types of tests to verify the learning success of learners. These test types differ in the variety of restrictions for the learners.

"Self assessment": Self assessment tests are used to let the learners check their level of awareness independent and without the pressure of exams. This is a way to use tests not only for monitoring and controlling purposes but rather as a "learning instrument". "Assessment tests": This test type should help teachers to simulate the restrictive terms of an exam for a test. "Online Exams": This test type allows online tests using surveillance features (IP-Checking, personal invitations). "Varying random tests": Varying random tests are used to let the learners check their level of awareness especially to prepare themselves for exams or to check their basics in a certain field of knowledge. A varying random test chooses a certain number of questions randomized from a pool of questions. With every new test pass the learners get a new random selection of questions.

Usually ILIAS tests are created manually in a given sequence by the teacher. But self assessment and assessment tests could as well use a random feed to create the questions.

Basic components
ILIAS test & assessment comes with three basic components which are illustrated shortly in the following list: 1. Question pools: question pools are containers which are needed to store the questions. Question pools are only of concern if you are a test or question editor with the sufficient permissions in the ILIAS system. How many question pools you create to store or organize your questions depends on your personal or organisational preferences. You can use question pools as content specific containers, to store questions of the same type, questions with the same amount of points and so on. 2. Questions: questions are the essence of every test in the test & assessment system. A question consists (roughly) of a question type, a question text, predefined answers, points, a processing time etc. At the moment the following question types are supported in the ILIAS system: o Multiple choice questions, o cloze questions, o ordering questions, o matching questions, o imagemap questions, o Java applet questions and o essay questions. 3. Tests: a test contains a certain amount of questions in an order the author of the test defines (or as a random test). There are four types of tests which can be performed in ILIAS: self assessment tests, assessment tests, online exams and varying random tests.

Creating a question pool

Before you start creating a question, you must create at least one question pool in a category or any other ILIAS container object. A question pool is a simple container for your questions. Of course you can create more than one question pool for your questions. How you use the question pools to organise your question storage depends up to you. There are a lot of scenarios for the use of question pools: One could be content, theme or subject based question pools, another one to put only questions of the same question type in a question pool. And don't worry: when creating tests you have access to all question pools you created and have write permissions. There are powerful filters which easily support you to find the questions you need.

Create a question pool in the repository To create a new question pool just choose "Question Pool Test" from the combo box in the upper right corner of the repository and click the Add button.

Adding a question pool to an ILIAS container Fill out the title and description field or enter the filename of an exported question pool and add the question pool to your ILIAS container. Inside a category or another ILIAS container object a question pool is displayed a follows:

A question pool in the repository

In ILIAS versions from ILIAS 3.6 on there could also be the online status displayed in the repository when a question pool is offline. If the question pool is offline, the contained questions could not be used in tests. Click on the question pool title to edit the question pool.

Elements of a question pool

The questions are displayed in a question browser which shows the relevant information for every question in your question pool. You can sort the question list by it's columns if you click the column titles on top. One click sorts the list in ascending order by it's column the next click sorts the list in descending order.

Question browser of a question pool (minimized)

Creating and importing questions

To create a new question, select the question type in the combo box on the upper right and press the Create button. You'll get an input form for the selected question type. To import one or more questions into the question pool, just press the Import button in the upper right corner and ignore the question type combo box. You'll get an import form where you can upload one or more questions or a complete questionpool which was exported by ILIAS.

Import one or more questions

The import file format must be a zip file containing an ILIAS content XML file, a QTI (Questioning and Test Interoperability) XML file and (if available) media files used in the questions. At the moment ILIAS only supports the import of QTI files which were exported from ILIAS. A generic QTI support is planned but not yet integrated in ILIAS.

Filtering questions
If you have a lot of questions in your question pool the filtering could be useful. Just insert a filter text [1] (a full word or a part of a word you are looking for) in the filter field on top of the question browser, select the filter category [2] (title, description or author) and activate the filter with the Set filter [3] button. To deactive the filtering, just press the Reset filter [4] button.

Filtering in the question browser

Editing questions in the question browser

There are several options to edit existing questions in the question browser:

Editing questions (minimized) Note:The numbering for the points below,corresponds to the numbers on the graphic above. 1. By checking the check boxes on the left of every question, you can run an action for every checked question. The available actions are displayed at the bottom of the question browser. 2. Click on Edit to modify an existing question. 3. The buttons Delete , Duplicate and Export are applied to every checked question in the question browser. Delete removes the checked questions from the question pool when you confirm a security check. Duplicate creates a 1:1 copy of the checked question(s). This allows you to make small modifications of questions without entering the complete question text and the answers again. Export creates a zipped archive file containing the checked questions. It is stored in the export directory and can be accessed through the Export tab on the top of the page. In ILIAS version from 3.6 on there is also the possibility to copy or move questions from one question pool into another. Press the Copy button to copy the selected questions to the clipboard and the Move button to mark the selected questions for moving. After copying or selecting questions for moving a Paste button appears next the Copy and Paste buttons. If you press this button, the questions in the clipboard will be either copied or moved into the question pool where you pressed the Paste button. Please note that the Copy, Move and Paste buttons are only available in ILIAS versions from 3.6 on.

4. Clicking on Preview displays a preview of the question in the way the question will
be used in a test. 5. Clicking on the chart icon creates a simple statistical evaluation (assessment of questions) for the question. The evaluation contains the total number of answers for the question and the total percentage of correct solutions of the question.

Question pool properties

This feature was introduced in ILIAS 3.6

When you press the Properties tab, the question pool properties are shown.

Question pool properties The following question pool properties can be set:

Online - This is the online status of the question pool. If the question pool is not online (the checkbox isn't checked, the question pool is offline) the contained questions could not be used in tests. To set the question pool online, just check the associated checkbox and press the Save button.

Permissions
Permission for question pools can be configured with the following RBAC settings: Delete Question Pool for Test Read access to Question Pool for Test Question Pool for Test is visible Edit Question Pool for Test Users with that permission are able to delete the question pool when it is displayed in the repository. Users need that permission to enter the question pool and read it's content. Users need that permission to see the question pool in the repository. Users need that permission to edit the content of a question pool (add new questions, edit existing questions, export questions).

To work with questions you need the same permissions as for working with question pools. Test & assessment questions are varying in different question types. These types are:

Multiple choice questions Cloze questions Matching questions Ordering questions Imagemap questions Java applet questions Essay questions

General question design

All question types have a set of similar properties which you can find at the top of every question editing form:

question title (obligatory) author (obligatory) description question text (obligatory) estimated working time suggested solution

Properties common to all question types

Question edit modes

Every question consists of four different edit modes. The edit modes are displayed as subnavigation on the top of the page when you're editing a question [1]. Clicking one of the tabs gives you the selected editing view.

Content editing view of a question The four editing modes are: Edit content, Preview and Edit properties and Statistics. Edit content allows you to use the ILIAS content editor to add graphical or multimedia elements to your question improving the readability and information given by the question text. Preview gives you a preview of the question as it will be shown when you perform a test containing this question. Edit properties is the authoring tool which allows you to define the question text, predefined answers, suggested solutions etc. Statistics presents you a short statistics on the usage of your question. It shows the number of tests which use your question and the percentage of the correct solutions of the question. Please note that the Statistics option was introduced in ILIAS 3.6. In earlier ILIAS versions the Statistics option is also available from the question browser in the question pool. The illustration above shows you the content editing view [2] of a multiple choice question. For further information on using the ILIAS content editor please refer to the content editor documentation. If you are in the "Edit properties" form you have different choices to save your data.Clicking the Save buttons saves your changes and remains in the "Edit properties" form. Clicking the Save and edit content button saves your changes and switches to the "Edit content"

form of the question. Clicking the Cancel button switches back to the question pool without saving your changes.

Edit buttons in the properties form

Creating suggested solutions

Before we get into detail for every question type, here's a tutorial how to create suggested solutions for questions. This process is the same for every question type. The suggested solutions will be displayed when a test is finished by a test person. Every user get's a summary of his/her reached results and - if added - hyperlinks to suggested solutions of questions. Before you try to add a suggested solution make sure that you already created a learning module, a chapter or a page of a learning module or a glossary entry which could be chosen as suggested solution! 1. Select the type of media you want to choose for a suggested solution and click the Add button

Selecting the media type for a suggested solution 2. In the object tree select the object you want to choose for the suggested solution:

Object selection 3. If you want to add a chapter, a page or a glossary entry all available objects are displayed in a list. Select the one, you want to choose as suggested solution by clicking the related [ Add ] reference.

Selecting a chapter, a page or a glossary entry (here: chapter) 4. Voila, the suggested solution is added to your question. The link is displayed and you can click on it to check it.

A suggested solution in the question edit form

Adding a java applet

Adding a java applet to the question Press the browse button, select the java applet on your local hard disk and press the Upload button to store the applet in ILIAS. You can either choose an applet class file (.class) or an applet archive (.jar). The maximum available points are sent to the java applet thus it is necessary to enter the points in the Available points field.

Adding parameters of the java applet Note:The numbering for the points below,corresponds to the numbers on the graphic above. 1. Enter the name of the applet main class when using an applet archive (.jar) 2. Enter the width and the height of the applet (obligatory) 3. If you want to parse additional data to the applet using applet parameters, press the Add applet parameter button to add a new parameter set. 4. Enter the applet parameter name and the applet parameter value in the corresponding fields. Go back to step 3 and enter as many parameters as you need. 5. Press the Save button to save your changes to the applet question. Please note that you will need specialized applets supporting the ILIAS java applet interface! There is a documentation how to create these applets.

Creating your own java applets

To work in an ILIAS java applet question a java applet must meet some special demands. These requirements are discussed in the following section. You should be familiar with software development in Java to continue with the next paragraphs. ILIAS sends the following data to the applet using the param tag in HTML: Parameter Description test_type The test type which contains the java applet question. The applet may evaluate this parameter to provide different behaviour according to the test type. The available values are: tt_assessment (assessment test), tt_self_assessment (self assessment test), tt_navigation_controlling (tests for controlling learner's navigation) and tt_online_exam (online exam) The id of the calling test. The java applet must return this value to ILIAS.

test_id

question_id The id of the java applet question. The java applet must return this value to ILIAS. user_id The id of the user calling the java applet. The java applet must return this value to ILIAS.

points_max The maximum available points for the java applet question. The applet must implement it's own scoring system and must return a score from 0 to the maximum available points when a user finishes the question. post_url The http URL which is used to send the question results back to ILIAS. The script at the location of the URL expects a well-defined number of http POST parameters sent from the java applet. The test pass of the current user, starting with 0 for the first pass, 1 for the second pass and so on. The java applet must return this value to ILIAS. This parameter was introduced with ILIAS 3.6 session_id The session id of the current user. The java applet must return this value to ILIAS. This parameter was introduced with ILIAS 3.6 client The client name of the ILIAS installation. The java applet must return this value to ILIAS. This parameter was introduced with ILIAS 3.6 When the applet was alread executed by a user, ILIAS sends additional parameters to the applet containing the previous reached results. Using these parameters, the applet may display these previous results: Parameter value_n_1 (where n = 1 ... maximum number of previous sent solutions) value_n_2 (where n = 1 ... maximum number of previous sent solutions) Description Value 1 of a two value pair which was used by the applet to store informations on a (partial) solution Value 2 of a two value pair which was used by the applet to store informations on a (partial) solution

pass

When the applet was answered by a user, the applet is able to store an (theoretically unlimited) number of value pairs to the ILIAS database. These value pairs can contain one or two values (of every data type storable in a string) which the applet can use later to restore the user input. The java applet must send a well-defined number of parameters as a http POST back to the ILIAS system. Therefore it must use the URL of the post_url parameter. The parameters are:

Parameter user_id test_id question_id value_n_1 (where n = 1 ... maximum number of solutions) value_n_2 (where n = 1 ... maximum number of solutions) points_n (where n = 1 ... maximum number of solutions) pass session_id client

Description The id of the user calling the java applet. The java applet retrieved this id from ILIAS. The id of the calling test. The java applet retrieved this id from ILIAS. The id of the java applet question. The java applet retrieved this id from ILIAS. A solution value for a user solution. This value could be used by the java applet to restore the solution when the applet is called again by the same user. The value may be empty. A solution value for a user solution. This value could be used by the java applet to restore the solution when the applet is called again by the same user. The value may be empty. The points reached for the given solution value. The sum of points of all solution triplets (value_n_1, value_n_2 and points_n) may not exceed the maximum available points for the java applet question. The test pass of the current user. The java applet retrieved this value from ILIAS. The session id of the current user. The java applet retrieved this id from ILIAS. The client name of the ILIAS installation. The java applet retrieved this value from ILIAS.

To reduce the workload of creating a java applet, you can download a java example from the following file list. The list contains a sample multiple choice single response java applet which is split into three parts:

A base class called JavaAppletQuestion.java which can be used be every of your applets as the ancestor class providing most of the functionality. A class TestApplet.java containing the implementation of the multiple choice question. A class MsgBox.java containing the definition of a simple message dialog which is used to provide a user feedback when the applet data was sent to ILIAS.

The source files are packed together with an ant makefile in an archive called testapplet_source.zip. The filelist also contains the compiled java applet of the example classes called testapplet.jar. You can use this applet to test the java applet question in ILIAS. Java applet question documentation example files testapplet_source.zip (4.2 KB)

testapplet.jar (5.57 KB)

Creating a test
Before you start creating a test, you should create at least one question pool in a category or any other ILIAS container object and fill it with questions. Alternatively it's sufficient, if you have write access to another question pool. You don't need to create one by yourself. If you don't have any questions available, you can't fill your test with questions. But it's possible, even if it's not recommendable, to create questions from within a test. But then you'll need at least an empty question pool.

Create a test in the repository To create a new test just choose "Test" from the combo box in the upper right corner of the repository and press the Add button.

Adding a test to an ILIAS container Fill out the title and description field and press the Add test button to add the test to your ILIAS container.

There are two alternatives to add a test to ILIAS. The first one is to import an existing test from your hard disk into ILIAS. To do so, press the Browse button in the Import test section and select a zip file containing a test which was exported from another ILIAS installation. Then choose a question pool from the Question pool for test checkbox to tell ILIAS where it has to store the questions used in that test. To import the test, press the Import button. The second alternative is to duplicate an existing test. Just choose a test from the Test checkbox in the Duplicate test section and press the Duplicate button. Inside a category or another ILIAS container object a test is shown as follows:

A test in the repository Click on [Edit] to edit the test. If something is wrong with the test, the status is displayed at the bottom of the test field in the repository and the test cannot be exectuted. ILIAS versions lower than 3.5 used an attention sign attention sign was displayed besides the test title. instead of the status display. The

General properties
A test in ILIAS consists of many properties. The standard properties which are common with most ILIAS objects are shown at the top of the Properties tab: Title defines the test title which was entered when adding the test to ILIAS, Description is an additional text which is displayed under the test title in the respository, Author should contain the name of the test's author. Introduction is a paragraph which is shown to the users on the start page of the test. You can use this field to give additional instructions how to work through the test.

General section of the test properties You can choose different test types for you test. These can only be changed when no user has started to work through the test. The test types are:

Assessment test: This test type should be used for examinations. The score will always be displayed after finishing the test. You can additionally define a score reporting date. For assessment tests a starting and an ending time for the test can be defined. Self assessment test: This test type should be used to give users the opportunity to test their learning progress. A direct feedback is displayed after every question or at the end of the test. There are usually no restrictions of the working time. Controlling learners navigation test: This test type could be used to control the advancement of a user in a learning module. If a test isn't passed, the user could not get ahead in the learning module. To be able to select a test as a precondition in a learning module, it must be defined as a controlling learners navigation test. The Controlling learners navigation test type is no longer used from ILIAS 3.6 on. The reason is that controlling the learners navigation in learning modules works with every test type which makes this special test type futile. Instead of using a Controlling learners navigation test, you can use an Assessment test

Online Exam: The Online Exam mode gives you the opportunity to support an online examination. You are able to invite users and restrict their access to a specific IP address. Moreover there is now an overview mode, which allows the student to select the question he want to access. He will see an answer overview where he can submit his answers. An answer print view will be shown when he is has submitted his test. Finally, there is a monitor where the supervisor can see which students have started and finished their tests. The result sheet and the answer sheet are

printable for each student separatly or together in one sheet. The results can be exported in the export section, containing matriculation, name, results as points, percentage and ECTS grades. In the online exam mode questions cannot be postponed. You have to define a date when the results are available. Random questions are not supported. Varying random test: This is a special random test type. The questions are chosen by random for every learner from one or more question pools. When the learner finishes a test pass and starts a new test pass, a new set of questions will be chosen by random. In the scoring properties the author can define which test pass of a user should be scored by the ILIAS system. This test type was introduced in ILIAS 3.6

Sequence properties
A test can have two different sequence settings:

Defining the sequence settings of a test

The sequence of questions is fixed: The users must work through the test in the sequence that is defined in the tests questions tab. The learner may postpone a question to the end of the test: If a learner decides that he/she is not able to answer a question he/she can postpone this question to the end of the test. It will be displayed after the last question in the test. A user can postpone as many questions as he/she wants. Postponing a question changes the original question order of a test for the user. ILIAS remembers the new sequence even if the user cancels the test and resumes it at another time.

Score reporting

Score reporting properties of a test You can select the score reporting type of a test:

Report the score after every question is answered: This setting displays the solution of an answer directly after answering the question.

Report the score after completing the whole test: This settings displays the score for every question after completing the whole test. When a user finishes the test, an overview containing every question title and result is shown.

For assessment tests only Report the score after completing the whole test is available. For assessment tests you can additionally define a score reporting date. If enabled, the score reporting summary will not displayed before the given date and time. If you have Javascript enabled in your browser, you can click on the calendar symbol and select a date from a calendar popup window.

A calendar popup window (only with JavaScript enabled)

Session settings

Session settings of a test

The following session settings can be defined:

Max. number of tries: This defines the maximum number of tries a user may finish a test. If this value is set to 0, the user has an unlimited number of tries finishing the test. Setting this value to 1 simulates a typical examination test where a user can complete the test only once. Hide previous results: If checked, the previous results of a learner will not be used as default values in future test passes. Usually the previous answers will be shown as default values if a user starts a new pass of a test. This option shows no effect if a user answered a question and returns to the question in the same test pass. This option was introduced in ILIAS 3.6

Question title points: If this option is checked the output of the maximum points for a question in the question title is disabled during the test execution. This option was introduced in ILIAS 3.6

Maximum processing time: If enabled, a user cannot save any test results after the maximum processing time is reached. This value will be actualized automatically when questions are added to the test. The value will be set to the sum of the processing time values for every question. You should be careful to use this option. The processing time for a question will be calculated out of the difference between saving the answers of two questions. If a user interrupts a test by closing the browser window or entering another URL, no processing time can be measured. Starting time: This option is available for Assessment tests only. If enabled, it defines a starting time for the test. No one can start when the starting date and time is not reached. Ending time: This option is available for Assessment tests only. If enabled, it defines an ending time for the test. No one can start the test or save question results when the ending date and time is reached. Random test: If checked, the tests questions will be inserted using a random algorithm. This option cannot be enabled or disabled if a user already started the test.

Scoring (ILIAS 3.5+)

Scoring properties of a test

These options are available for ILIAS installations greater or equal version 3.5. The Scoring system can be set to:

Count partial solutions: This is the default setting and the scoring system used by ILIAS installations lower than 3.5. If a user doesn't answer a question correcly, he/she is awarded a lower amount of points for answering the question if there are defined points for partial solutions of the question. Count only complete solutions: If a user doesn't answer a question totally correct, he/she is awarded 0 points for answering the question even if there are defined points for partial solutions of the question.

This setting deals with the "problem" of negative points. In ILIAS there are no negative points allowed for questions. If a test author wants to "punish" users or prevent users from clicking through tests without working through the questions in the hope for receiving some points by random, he/she may try to use the Count only complete solutions option. The Multiple choice questions score setting can be set to:

Score 0 points when no answer was checked: This is the default setting and is used by ILIAS installations lower then 3.5. It causes ILIAS to award 0 points for answering a multiple choice question with multiple response, if the user did not check an answer. Set the defined score, even when no answer was checked: This causes ILIAS to award the defined points for answering a multiple choice question with multiple response.

Example: A teacher may compose a multiple choice question with the answers A, B and C for which the users receive the following points: 1 point if answer A is not checked, 1 point if answer B is not checked and 1 point if answer C is not checked. Only if the multiple choice questions score setting is set to Set the defined score, even when no answer was checked the user is able to get 3 points for not checking any of the answers, otherwise he/she will receive 0 points. This setting deals with another case of "punishment". If a user does not anwer a question it may stand for the fact the he/she just clicked through the question without working through the question. On the other hand he/she may be aware of this decision. To prevent a "punishment" of users when the author of a question wants to define a multiple choice question with multiple reponse which provokes no answers, you should set this option to Set the defined score, even when no answer was checked. The Multiple pass scoring is only available for Varying random tests. It can be set to:

Score the last pass of a user: With this selection the questions of the last test pass of a learner will be chosen for scoring. If a learner has completed four passes for example, the fourth pass will be taken for scoring even if one of the previous passes resulted with a better scoring.

Score the best pass of a user: With this setting the best test pass of a learner will be chosen for scoring.

This option was introduced in ILIAS 3.6

Information screen (ILIAS 3.6+)

This shows an information screen with all relevant settings of the test which a learner may be interested in. The information screen could be reached from the repository pressing the Info button and for test authors as well from the test edit mode using the Information tab.

Information screen of a test (minimized) For tests the information screen is also used as the introduction page when a learner is running a test. The information screen is always the first page of the test when it is executed.

1. When a user has read access to a test and he/she is allowed to execute a test, all
buttons to access the test are shown in the top section of the information screen. This could be a start or resume button, a button to show the test results or a button to print the test results (for online tests only).

2. The information screen itself contains all necessary information a user may want to know before he/she executes the test. 3. When a user has read access to a test and he/she is allowed to execute a test some interactive elements may appear as well. This could be a JavaScript setting to deactivate or activate the JavaScript support for matching and ordering questions or to deactivate or activate the usage of answer values of a previous test pass as default values in upcoming test passes. This option was introduced in ILIAS 3.6

Edit questions
The Questions tab gives you the ability to add, edit or remove questions. When a question is inserted into a test, ILIAS will create a copy of the original question from the question pool. This is necessary to prevent inconsistencies when you or another user edits or deletes the original question. Removing a question from a test only removes the copy.

The questions tab of a test (minimized)

1. Press the Browse for questions button to open a question browser which contains

all questions from all question pools which are accessable with write permission. The question browser uses the same filtering options as the question browser used in the question pools. The only difference is an additional column displaying the source question pool of every question. You are not able to insert a question twice into your test. Every question which is already contained in your test is no longer available in the question browser. 2. Select a question type and press the Create button to create a new question and add it directly into your test. You may use this option but you should create your questions prior in a question pool. Using this option may lead to confusion because you are switching between many different screens. 3. Pressing the Random selection button allows you to add questions into your test using a random generator. This option allows you to enter the number of questions you want to add and allows you to choose these questions from a question pool of your choice or all available question pools. A selection of questions will be presented and you are free to create a new selection, to accept the selection or to cancel the whole process.

4. Pressing the up and down arrows in the sequence column allows you to change the position of a question in your test. Users will get the given sequence when they are working through the test. 5. You can also move questions to another position using the Move button. Just check the questions you want to move and press the Move button. You will be asked to select a target position where you want to re-insert the questions. Just check one question and press the Insert before or Insert after button which are displayed after pressing the Move button. To remove questions from the test, just check the questions you want to remove and press the Remove button. Don't be afraid. The questions will only removed from the test. They will not deleted from ILIAS.

Edit questions in random tests

In random tests the questions for a learner are chosen by random. So the author has just to define the source(s) of the random selection.

The questions tab of a random test

1. Set the total amount of random questions which have to be chosen for a learner. If 2.
this value is greater than zero it overwrites all other question numbers entered in the Source question pools section. Select a question pool and enter the amount of questions which should be chosen by random for the learner. If the Total amount of questions is set greater than zero only the question pool will be considered. To guarantee comparable test results the author is only allowed to choose question pools which contain questions with the same maximum number of points for every question. Press the Add question pool button to add another question pool which feeds the random test. The number of questions will be added to the total number of questions in the test. Press the Save button to store the selection of question pools for the random test. Press the Delete button to remove the associated question pool from the collection of question pools for the random test.

3. 4. 5.

In the above picture the random test consists of six questions, five from the Hardware and one question from New question pool.

Reworking questions
To rework a question, just click on the question title in the questions overview. You will be redirected into the same edit mode which is used in question pools (see question types). The questions in your test are always taken from question pools but they are copies of the original questions in the question pools, not references! This means that you could change question details within your test (e.g. text, points, working time) without changing these details in the original questions in the question pools. If you want to apply your changes as well to the original question, you have to answer the question after saving the test question with "Yes":

Saving a reworked question

Creating a question pool

Before you can start creating questions, you must create at least one question pool in a category or any other ILIAS container object. A question pool is a simple container for your questions. Of course you can create more than one question pool for your questions. How you use the question pools to organise your question storage depends up to you. There are a lot of scenarios for the use of question pools: One could be content, theme or subject based question pools, another one to put only questions of the same question type in a question pool. And don't worry: when creating surveys you have full access to all question pools you created and have write permissions. There are powerful filters which easily support you to find the questions you need. To create a new question pool just choose "Question Pool Survey" from the combo box in the upper right corner of the repository and click the Add button.

Create a question pool in the repository Fill out the title and description field or enter the filename of an exported question pool and add the question pool to your ILIAS container. Inside a category or another ILIAS container object a question pool is displayed a follows:

Adding a question pool to an ILIAS container

A question pool in the repository

If the question pool status is shown offline in the repository, the contained questions could not be used in surveys. Click on the question pool title to edit the question pool and add questions.

Elements of a question pool

The questions are displayed in a question browser which shows the relevant information for every question in your question pool. You can sort the question list by it's columns if you click the column titles on top. One click sorts the list in ascending order by it's column the next click sorts the list in descending order.

Question list of a question pool (minimized)

Creating and importing questions

To create a new question, select the question type in the combo box on the upper right and press the Create button. You'll get an input form for the selected question type. To import one or more questions into the question pool, just press the Import button in the upper right corner and ignore the question type combo box. You'll get an import form where you can upload one or more questions or a complete questionpool which was exported by ILIAS.

Import one or more questions

The import file format must be an XML file. The format for the survey question export files takes elements of the QTI (Questioning and Test Interoperability) standard for assessment tests and questions.

Filtering questions
If you have a lot of questions in your question pool the filtering could be useful.

Filtering in the question browser 1. Enter the filter text (a full word or a part of a word you are looking for) in the filter field on top of the question browser. 2. Use the filter category combo box to select the part of the question on which the filter should apply (title, description or author). 3. Press the Set filter button to apply your filter. 4. Press the Reset filter button clear the filter and display all questions of the question pool.

Permissions
Permission for question pools can be configured with the following RBAC settings: Delete Question Pool for Survey Read access to Question Pool for Survey Question Pool for Survey is visible Edit Question Pool for Survey Users with that permission are able to delete the question pool when it is displayed in the repository. Users need that permission to enter the question pool and read its content. Users need that permission to see the question pool in the repository. Users need that permission to edit the content of a question pool (add new questions, edit existing questions, export questions).

Creating a survey
Before you can start creating a survey, you should create at least one question pool in a category or any other ILIAS container object and fill it with questions. Alternatively it's

sufficient, if you have write access to another question pool, you don't need to create one by yourself. If you don't have any questions available, you can't fill your survey with questions. But it's possible, even if it's not recommendable, to create questions from within a survey. But then you'll need at least an empty question pool.

Add a survey in the repository To create a new survey just choose "Survey" from the combo box in the upper right corner of the repository and press the Add button.

Adding a survey to an ILIAS container Fill out the title and description field and press the Add survey button to add the survey to your ILIAS container. There are two alternatives to add a survey to ILIAS. The first one is to import an existing survey from your hard disk into ILIAS. To do so, press the Browse button in the Import survey section and select an XML file containing a survey which was exported from another ILIAS installation. Then choose a question pool from the Question pool for survey checkbox to tell ILIAS where it has to store the questions used in that survey. To import the survey, press the Import button. The second alternative is to duplicate an existing survey. Just choose a survey from the Survey checkbox in the Duplicate survey section and press the Duplicate button. Inside a category or another ILIAS container object a survey is shown as follows:

A survey in the repository Click the Edit link to edit the survey. The actual status of the survey is displayed at the bottom of every survey row in the repository.

Table of contents
The editing a survey chapter contains the following sections:

Survey properties Adding and removing questions Preconditions Invite participants Export a survey Maintain a survey Survey status Survey access codes Access permissions

Survey properties
A survey in ILIAS consists of many properties. The standard properties which are common with most ILIAS objects are shown at the top of the Properties tab: Title defines the survey title which you entered when you added the survey to ILIAS, Description is an additional text which is displayed under the test title in the respository, Author should contain the name of the test's author. Introduction is a paragraph which is shown to the participants on the start page of the survey. You can use this field to give additional instructions how to take part in the survey or to inform the participants about the motivation of the survey.

General fields of the survey properties The survey specific settings in the survey properties are

The Status setting defines the online status of the survey. If the status is set to online, the survey is visible in the repository and available for participants to take part in the survey. If the status is set to offline, nobody can take part in the survey and the survey isn't visible for participants in the repository. If the status is online, you cannot add or remove questions from the survey and you are not able to define preconditions for survey questions. If the status is offline you cannot invite participants to the survey.

Start date: If enabled, the start date defines a starting date for the survey. No one can start the survey when the starting date has not been reached. End date: If enabled, the end date defines an ending date for the survey. No one can start the survey or answer questions when the ending date has been reached. The evaluation access setting defines who has access to the statistical evaluation of the survey. If the evaluation access is Off only users with write permissions can access the statistical evaluation. If the evaluation access is Evaluation access for survey participants, users with write permission and all survey participants can

access the statistical evaluation. If the evaluation access is Evaluation access for all users, everyone with read and visible permission for the survey can access the statistical evaluation. Anonymize survey data defines wheather or not the input of the survey participants could be tracked back to every single user. If the setting is Off, the user names of the participants are visible in the statistical evaluation. If the setting is On, the user information is not tracked by the system. Participants only can take part in the survey if they use a survey access code which is provided automatically for registered users and which could be created for anonymous users in the Access codes tab. Show question titles in survey displays the question title at the top of every question during the survey if you check the Show question titles in survey checkbox.

Survey specific settings of the survey properties

Edit questions
The Questions tab gives you the ability to add, edit or remove questions. When a question is inserted into a survey, ILIAS will create a copy of the original question from the question pool. This is necessary to prevent inconsistencies when you or another user edits or deletes the original question. Removing a question from a test only removes the copy of the question and not the original question.

The questions tab of a survey (minimized)

1. Press the Browse for questions button to open a question browser which contains

all questions from all question pools which are accessable for you with write permission. The question browser uses the same filtering options as the question browser used in the question pools. The only difference is an additional column displaying the source question pool of every question. You are not able to insert a question twice into your survey. Every question which is already inserted into your survey is no longer available in the question browser. 2. The Search questions button allows you to search for survey questions and insert the results into the survey. Please read the search questions page for further information. 3. Select a question type and press the Create button to create a new question and add it directly into your survey. You may use this option but you should create your questions prior in a question pool. Using this option may lead to confusion because you are switching between many different screens. 4. Question blocks are collections of questions which are presented all on the same page when the survey is running. Please read the Working with question blocks page to find out more on question blocks. Pressing the up and down arrows on the left side of every question block or question column allows you to change the position the related question block or question in your survey. 5. Single questions are shown on a single page when the survey is running. 6. You can add headings to structure a page when the survey is running. The headings are shown above a question. 7. You can also move questions to another position using the Move button (instead of the up and down arrows). Just check the questions you want to move and press the Move button. You will be asked to select a target position where you want to reinsert the questions. Just check one question and press the Insert before or Insert after button which appear after pressing the Move button. To remove questions from the survey, just check the questions or question blocks you want to remove and press the Remove button. Don't be afraid. The questions or question blocks will only be removed from the survey but not from the question pools within ILIAS. To define a question block, you must check at least two questions and press the Define question block button. The questions will be grouped together into a question block.

To dissolve one ore more question blocks, check the question blocks and press the Unfold button. The question blocks will be removed and the questions are shown as single questions. 8. If you want to change the predefined obligatory states of the questions, just change the obligatory state by checking or unchecking the obligatory check box on the left side of every question title and press the Save obligatory states button. This overwrites the original obligatory states of the questions, but only for the underlying survey. To add a heading into the survey to structurize the survey output, you must press the Add heading button. You will be asked where you want to add the heading and you have enter a heading text. Headings could be removed easily be pressing the Remove button on the right side of every heading. To edit an existing heading, you must press the Edit button on the right side of a heading and enter your new heading information.

How to use exercises

Getting the work instruction of an exercise

1. Go to the repository, choose the exercise and click on the exercise's name to open
it. Precondition: You need to have the READ permission for the exercise to enter it 2. Now you can read the work instructions and download the files for your exercise.
How to send back my work result

1. Go to the repository, choose the exercise and click on the exercise's name to open it. 2. Click on the tab Deliver exercise. 3. Now you can upload your file with the work result. For this choose the file on your computer, then click on Upload to send to ILIAS and make it available for the tutor. If you have already uploaded a file you see this in the list below the upload menu.

Communicating using ILIAS

ILIAS offers three different modules for supporting communication processes in eLearning:

Discussion forums that allow users to post messages to threads and to repeat to them Chat for direct online communication between two or several users simultaneously Internal mail for sending messages to other ILIAS users and receiving messages internally or by forwarding to external e-mail adress

How to create a forum and post a message

Create a new forum and a first posting

1. Go to the repository location where the new forum should appear. 2. Choose "Forum" in the pop-up menu (top of the frame, right side) and click on Add. Precondition: You need the permission to create a forum within the current repository location. 3. Fill in a title (required) and add a description. In 'Default view' you can define if postings in a thread should be ordered by answers or ordered by date. Finally click on Save to create the forum. 4. Now add a first posting by adding a topic and write an article. 5. Click on Submit to add this posting to the forum.
Adding an attachment to a posting

ILIAS allows you also to add attachments to forum entries. If you like to attach a file to a posting, e.g. a picture that illustrates your article, you have to choose a file from your computer and upload it to ILIAS.
Reply to a posting

1. Choose the posting you want to reply to and click on [Reply] below the posting.

Precondition: You need to have the permission to reply to a posting in this forum. 2. Write your reply in the new form. Within this form the text of the former posting is quoted. You can use it entirely or parts of it for your reply. 3. Click on Submit to add this reply to the forum.
How to get informed about replies to own postings

If you want to be informed about replies to your forum posting please enable the checkbox at the bottom of the posting form: Notify me when a reply is posted!

How to edit a forum or a posting

How to edit a forum

1. Choose the forum in the repository you want to edit and click on the Edit button

right from the forum's title. Precondition: You need the permission to edit the forum for to see this button. 2. The 'Edit Properties' form opens and allows you to change the forum's title and description and the 'default view'. 3. Click on Save to save the changes to the forum's properties.
How to edit a posting

1. Choose the posting you want to edit and click on [Edit] below the posting.
Precondition: You need to have the permission to edit postings in this forum.

2. The posting is displayed in the editing form and can be changed or extended.
Notice: A hint about this change will be added to the edited posting, incl. date of change and by whom. 3. Click on Submit to save the changes and leave the editing mode.
How to censor a posting

Unlike editing parts of a message, the entire posting can be censored by hiding the article's text.

1. Choose the posting you want to censor and click on [Censorship] below the
posting. Precondition: You need to have the permission to censor and delete a posting for this forum. 2. The posting is displayed in the editing form on red background and can be censored. Instead of the posting text a censor's comment can be added and displayed. Notice: A hint about this censorship will be added to the modified posting, incl. date of change and by whom. 3. To hide the posting click on Confirm at the bottom of the editing form. To revoke censorship of a posting click on [Censorship] at the bottom of the posting and confirm this step by clicking on Yes. Now the posting is visible again in its state before censorship.
How to delete a posting

1. Choose the posting you want to delete and click on [Delete] below the posting.

Precondition: You need to have the permission to censor and delete a posting for this forum. 2. A confirmation message is displayed. Confirm the deletion of the article and all responses to it by clicking on Yes. Notice: Unlike censored postings, deleted postings cannot be revoked!

How to create a chat room

Create a new chat room

1. Go to the repository location where the new chat room should appear. 2. Choose "Chat" in the pop-up menu (top of the frame, right side) and click on Add. Precondition: You need the permission to crate a forum within the current repository location. 3. Fill in a title (required) and add an optional description. Finally click on Add Chat to create this new chat.

How to create a group

Create a new group

1. Go to the repository location or the course where you want the new group should appear. 2. Choose Group in the pop-up menu (top of the frame, right side) and click on Add. 3. Fill in a title for the new group (required) and add a description. 4. Then define if the group should be a closed group or a public group.

Public: With this setting the group is visible for non-members and users may subscribe to the group. o Closed: Such a group is not visible for non-members and all users have to be invited to become group member. 5. Define the registration period by entering an expiration date (day:month:year, e.g.: 31.03.2007) and time (hours:minutes, e.g. 12:00). 6. Choose which registration procedure should be used for new users: This requires the setting "Group is public" o Join directly - allows every user to join the group without request. o Request membership - membership can be granted by a group administrator upon request. o Join with group password - allows every user to join the group when entering the correct password. 7. Finally click on Add Group to create a new group with the settings you made.
o

Adding content to a group

Similar to the repository a group is a container for several type of objects, e.g. files, forums, learning modules or tests. The only object types a group cannot have as content are categories and courses. For structuring content within a group you can add folders to a group. Due to the context- and permission-sensitive user interface, ILIAS offers you only those object types in the content creation workflow for whom you really have the permission to add them to the group.
Adding an object to a group

1. Go to to the repository and choose the group where you want to add content to. 2. Open the group by clicking on the group's title - or click on Edit and then choose the tab View Content. 3. Choose the object type in the pop-up menu you want to add to the group and click on Add. 4. Fill in a title, add a description and complete the form (depending on the requirements for the choosen object type). For more information about how adding a specific type of content object please have a look in the appropriate chapter of this manual. 5. Finally complete the process by clicking on Save or Add (according to the specific interface).
Editing content of a group

Please look in the corresponding chapters of this manual to see how to edit a specific type of content object.

Administrating group members

Every group has their own user management. This is where you can administrate group members and administrators, changing roles and membership and sending group mails.
Adding user(s) to a group

1. Enter the group you want to administrate and open the Group Members tab. 2. To add a new user to the group click on the button Add Member(s) at the right

side under the member list. 3. Enter the user name or a part of the real name of the specific user. Then click on Search to find the user. You can search for single users in the data base but also for 'members of groups' or 'owners of roles'. If you choose 'groups' you need to enter a group name and you get a list of group members. If you choose 'roles' you need to enter a role name and you get all users possessing the choosen role. In both cases you can select members out of these lists and append them to the group. 4. Now choose the user or the users you want to add to the group as course members by checking the boxes left of the user name. 5. Finally click on the Add button at the bottom of the list to add the selected users to the group.
Changing user's role

Every group comes with two roles by default: the group administrator role with all permissions granted and the group member role with basic permissions to use the group. Which permissions are given to these roles is shown in the permission section of the group. The user who creates a group gets the group administrator role automatically. The group member role is assigned automatically to all users that are joining the group or getting invited by a group administrator. Every group needs at least one group administrator.

1. Enter the group you want to administrate and open the Group Members tab. 2. Select the checkbox of the user you want to administrate and click on Change at
the bottom of the member list. 3. Select the new role that should be assigned to the user (the current role is highlighted) and click on Confirm to change the member status and finish the operation.
Removing a user

1. Enter the group where you want to remove a group member and open the Group

Members tab. 2. Select the checkbox in front of the user you want to remove and click on Remove at the bottom of the member list. 3. Now ILIAS asks you to confirm the deletion of the selected user. If you want to delete the user click on Confirm, if not choose Cancel.

Managing Courses

Grouping Courses
Course groupings offer the possibility to connect the registration of some courses. After assigning two or more courses to a course grouping a user will be allowed to subscribe to only one course out of several courses within a course grouping. Precondition: You need to have WRITE permission for the course, e.g. as a course administrator or tutor.
How to create a course grouping

1. Click on the tab Course groupings in the course's sub menu.

2. Click the Button Add course grouping and fill out the form: Enter a title and description for the new course grouping. Select one of the following entries in the select box 'Unambiguousness': o Login: multiple registrations in the course grouping will be checked against the unique username. o Email: multiple registrations will be checked against the email entry of the personal profile. o Matriculation: multiple registrations will be checked against the matriculation entry of the personal profile. Finally click the Add button to create the new course grouping. 3. Assign courses to the new grouping: a. Click the 'edit' icon next to new created course grouping. b. You will see a table with all properties of this grouping. Now click the button 'Assign course(s)' c. The next table shows a list of all courses you are allowed to administrate (write permission). Select the course(s) you want to assign to this grouping and click 'Assign course'. A new assignment has been created. You will return to the 'edit properties' dialog of the selected course grouping.

Introduction to Learning Objectives in Courses

Precondition: You need the write permission within the course you are, e.g. with local role course tutor or course admin. The main purpose of this extension is to give course tutors the opportunity to define learning objectives for their courses and to enable ILIAS to suggest learning content individually to learners according to their existing learning experiences and knowledge. On the one hand learning objectives will be assigned to assessment tasks, i.e. to questions of tests. A learner can accomplish a learning objective by sucessfully working through a specified amount of questions assigned to this learning objective. On the other hand learning objectives can be assigned to learning content, i.e. learning modules (ILIAS native learning modules, SCORM/AICC learning modules or HTML learning modules) or parts of

learning modules (chapters of ILIAS native learning modules or SCOs of SCORM learning modules). ILIAS will suggest the learner to work through those learning materials that are assigned to learning objectives the learner has not accomplished yet.

Create objectives
1. Click the button Learning Objectives in the course administration panel. 2. Click the button Add objective 3. Complete the form. Enter a title (required) and a description for the new learning objective. Finally click the Add button to assign the objective to the course.

There is no limit for the number of objectives. A course can consist of many learning objectives. If you want to modify the title or description of an existing learning objective, simply click on the 'Edit' image in the objectives overview, change the desired fields and save your modifications. You can manually change the sorting of objectives by clicking the 'Up' and 'Down' images.

Activate Objective view

After you have created and administrated learning objectives, you can activate the 'objective oriented view'. 1. Click 'Edit properties' in the administration of the course. 2. Find the the select box 'Objective oriented view' in the subarea 'Sortorder/Subscription' and activate it by clicking the 'Submit' button. 3. Click on 'learners view' to show the learning objectives.

Learner\'s view on learning objectives (v. 3.4.0) You will see one table each for Learning objectives, Learning materials, Tests and all other resources. Red marked table cells indicate the assignment of learning materials to objectives. Green marked objectives are 'Accomplished' Red marked ovjectives are 'Not accomplished'. If chapters are assigned to a learning objective, a link is shown for each of them.

Informations about the 'Last access' to a learning material is stored and a user will get a 'Continue' link to the last vistited page.

Administrating ILIAS Importing global user accounts into ILIAS

This page describes the steps required for ILIAS 3.4.0.
To import a number of global user accounts into ILIAS:

1. Create an XML file containing the data of the user accounts.

2.

3.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
9.

The DTD for the XML file is part of your ILIAS installation. It is located in the file ilias3/xml/ilias3_user_0_1.dtd. Optional: Create a ZIP archive of your XML file. Either put the XML file into the top level of ZIP archive, or put it into a subdirectory within the archive. If you put it into a subdirectory, you have to ensure that the XML file, the subdirectory and the ZIP archive bear the same name. Log into ILIAS. Click on the Administration button in the title bar. In the column All objects expand the node of the Administration Object, and click at the User Accounts Object. On the View Content page of the User Accounts Object, click at the Import Users button. On the Import Users form specify the location of your XML file or ZIP Archive and click at the Upload button. On the Role Assignment Form assign the role names in your import file to the roles of your ILIAS server. Click at the Import button. ILIAS imports your user accounts.

Remarks

To perform these steps you must have the (System-)Administrator role. For more information about the XML file format see the Import Users chapter in the reference manual.

Importing local user accounts into a category

This page describes the steps required for ILIAS 3.4.0.
To import a number of local user accounts into a category:

To perform the steps described below, at least one global role must be enabled for local user administration.

1. Create an XML file containing the data of the user accounts.

The DTD for the XML file is part of your ILIAS installation. It is located in the file ilias3/xml/ilias3_user_0_1.dtd. 2. Optional: Create a ZIP archive of your XML file. Either put the XML file into the top level of ZIP archive, or put it into a subdirectory within the archive. If you put it into a subdirectory, you have to ensure that the XML file, the subdirectory and the ZIP archive bear the same name. 3. Log into ILIAS. 4. Click at the Repository button in the title bar. 5. Open the Category, into which you want to import user accounts. 6. Click at the Local user administration button. 7. Click at the Import Users button. 8. On the Import Users form specify the location of your XML file or ZIP Archive and click at the Upload button. 9. On the Role Assignment Form assign the role names in your import file to the roles supported by this category. 10. Click at the Import button. ILIAS imports your user accounts.
Remarks

To perform these steps you must have a local administrator role for the category object. For more information about the XML file format see the Import Users chapter in the reference manual.

Introduction
This chapter describes the steps required for ILIAS 3.5.0. The user export functionality in ILIAS is available for users with administrative permissions. It is accessable via the User accounts administration option.

User accounts administration option The user export could be used to write all user related data to an external file for evaluation use or to import the data into another ILIAS installation.

Installing ILIAS
Install ILIAS from scratch

1. Download a recent distribution of ILIAS from the following page:

http://www.ilias.de/ios/source-e.html. 2. Decompress the distribution file. This results in a directory structure containing the PHP program files of ILIAS as well as documentation files in the subdirectory docs. 3. The file docs/INSTALL contains detailled instructions for installing ILIAS.
Alternative ways to install ILIAS

Also have a look into our installation and maintenance guide. We plan to collect easier procedures for installing ILIAS on specific distributions here in the future.

Updating ILIAS
Please read section "3. Updating ILIAS 3" within the docs/INSTALL file of your release package. It will contain release specific notes. Please note that major updates usually include changes in the style sheet and template files. So if you use individual styles/skins you will have to adopt them for the new release first. This is not the case for bugfix updates (e.g. 3.5.1 -> 3.5.2).
To update an existing installation of ILIAS to a newer version:

1. Enter the following URL in your browser:

http://...address of your ILIAS server.../setup/setup.php

2. Enter your administrator password and click at the Submit button. 3. ILIAS presents all available clients of your installation.
4.

5.

6.

7.

For each client, click at the link named online to disable access to it. Shut down your HTTP server. For each client: back up the database, and the two data directories (one is probably located in the directory /opt/ilias3/data and the other one probably in /opt/ilias3/www/htdocs/ilias3/data. Also backup all individual files stored within the installation, especially changed language files in directory lang/, individual template files in the template/ subdirectories, the ILIAS ini file ilias.ini.php in the main directory, individual user agreement files in the directory agreement and chat settings in chat/chatserver/server.ini. Restore these files after installing the new release files. Untar the new ILIAS tar.gz archive into a temporary directory. Remove the old source files (Please see the docs/INSTALL file of the release for details):
cd rm rm rm rm rm /opt/ilias3/www/htdocs/ilias3 *.php *.xml *.dtd *.css -r classes content css docs images include java lang layouts -r modules setup sql templates xml assessment chat tracking -r survey syntax_highlight course payment webservice ilinc link -r cron Services calendar

You may ignore any 'no such file or directory' errors because depending on your current ILIAS installation some of the directories above may not exist on your system. 8. Depending on the ILIAS version you are replacing you must copy various files and directories to your ILIAS web directory (see docs/INSTALL section 3 for details):
cd /tmp/ilias3 cp -p * /opt/ilias3/www/htdocs/ilias3/ cp -rp assessment chat classes content course /opt/ilias3/www/htdocs/ilias3/ cp -rp css docs images include java lang layouts /opt/ilias3/www/htdocs/ilias3/ cp -rp calendar payment setup sql survey /opt/ilias3/www/htdocs/ilias3/ cp -rp syntax_highlight templates tracking xml /opt/ilias3/www/htdocs/ilias3/ cp -rp webservice ilinc link /opt/ilias3/www/htdocs/ilias3/ cp -rp cron Services /opt/ilias3/www/htdocs/ilias3/

Please ignore any 'File exists' error messages. After all files have been copied you may remove the temporary directory. 9. Copy your saved ilias.ini.php and other individual files back into the appropriate directories. 10. Start your HTTP server. 11. Enter the following URL in your browser:
http://...address of your ILIAS server.../setup/setup.php

12. Enter your administrator password and click at the Submit button.
13. For each client, perform the following steps: 1. Click at the Details link. 2. If the Overall status box contains the message DB needs update, open the Database view, and click at the Update Database button.

3. Regardless whether you needed to update the database, open the

Languages view, and click at the Save button. This will ensure, that all new or changed texts will be properly localized for the client. 14. Click at the List link in the title bar, so that ILIAS displays the list of all clients. Click at the disabled link of each client, in order to enable access to it. 15. Click at the logout link in the title bar, to log out from the setup view. Your installation is now updated to the newer release.
Remarks

Updating is only supported for newer releases. You can not revert back to an older release using this procedure.