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Oracle® Student Learning Learning Tool User's Guide Release 3.1.3 Part Number E20665-04 |
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# 5 Student's Guide to Using the OSL Learning Tool

This chapter guides students with standard access on how to use the OSL Learning Tool (LT). It describes the components and the concepts that students must understand in using the application.

The OSL LT enables students to:

- Locate and participate in the learning items to which they are assigned

- View and respond to teachers' feedback on their participation

- View other students' feedback

- Determine their most urgent tasks

- Locate the most recent observations about themselves

- Locate, create, view, and reply to any observations about themselves

- Review their own progress against curriculum outcomes and standards

## 5.1 About the User Interface

The user interface is made up of a number of elements:

- The global area. See Section 5.2.

- The work area tabs. Section 5.3.

## 5.2 About the Global Area

The global area at the top of the OSL LT user interface consists of:

- An area showing the name of the currently logged in user; DAVE ABBOTT

- A Refresh icon.

- A Preferences icon. See Section 5.2.1.

- A Logout icon.

- A Help icon. See Section 5.2.2.

Figure 5-1 Student Global Area

### 5.2.1 About the Preferences Icon

The Preferences icon takes you to the Preferences page where you can specify your own preference values.

Table 5-1 Standard Student Preferences

In | You can
--- | ---
Accessibility Mode | Set accessibility to: Inaccessible. Accessibility features are removed, which optimizes the performance of the system. Accessible. Accessibility features are on. Screen Reader. Accessibility features are on but are optimized for a screen reader.
Months of recent demonstration data to display | Set the number of months of demonstration data that the OSL LT retrieves.
Number of recent observations | Set the number of observations that the OSL LT retrieves.
Workspace background | Modify the background of your workspace.

### 5.2.2 About the Help Icon

From the Help icon, you see:

- The build number and version number of the OSL LT.

- A link to the Release Notes related to the version of the OSL LT that you use.

- A link to the online or PDF copy of the OSL LT User's Guide.

To return to the OSL LT home page, click the Home icon.

## 5.3 About the Work Area Tabs

### 5.3.1 About the Home Tab

In the Home tab, you see:

- The Recent Observations panel, which lists the most recent observations about you.

- The Current Activities panel, which lists learning items currently assigned to you.

Figure 5-2 Student Home Tab

#### 5.3.1.1 About the Recent Observations Panel

From the Recent Observations panel, you can:

- View the most recent observations about you

- Create an observation about yourself. See Section 5.3.4.2.

- Reply to an observation. See Section 5.3.4.3

#### 5.3.1.2 About the Current Activities Panel

From the Current Activities panel, you can view and participate in the activities (learning items) currently assigned to you.

The Current Activities area displays the following details:

- Activity—The icon and title of the learning item.

- Class—The name of the class in which the learning item is held.

- Due—The submission due date for Submission Item. For other activities, the end date is displayed.

- Progress—Your progress in the activity.

To participate in an activity, select it. For information on participating in activities, see Section 5.4.

### 5.3.2 About the Activities Tab

In the Activities tab, you can view the classes you are enrolled in, along with all the learning items assigned to you.

Figure 5-3 Student Activities Tab

On the left pane is a class selector, which by default, displays a list of your current classes across all schools. You may also locate a previous class via the All Classes tab.

When you select a class, a list of learning items associated with the class appears on the right.

On the upper right hand corner of the Activities tab is an activity filter. Use the activity filter to:

- Show all activities

- Show current activities

- Show overdue activities

- Show upcoming activities

- Show completed activities

To participate in a learning item, you select the learning item. See Section 5.4.

#### 5.3.2.1 Creating Feedback on a Learning Item

1. Click the Activities tab.

2. From the Active Classes tab, select a class.

3. From the Activity panel, locate the learning item for which you wish to provide feedback.

4. Click the corresponding Feedback icon.

   The Feedback window appears.

5. In the Observations area, click the New icon.

6. In the Observation Entry window:

   1. In Summary, enter a summary of the observation.

   2. In Category, select a category.

   3. Use the rich data editor to enter your feedback. For information on using the rich data editor, see Section 5.5.

   The feedback appears in the Observations area.

#### 5.3.2.2 Responding to Feedback on a Learning Item

1. In the Observations area, locate the observation to which you wish to reply.

2. Click the Reply icon.

3. In the Observation Entry window:

   1. In Summary, modify the summary as necessary.

   2. Use the rich data editor to enter your feedback. For information on using the rich data editor, see Section 5.5.

   The feedback appears in the Observations area.

### 5.3.3 About the Progress Tab

From the Progress tab, you can review your progress against a relevant curriculum framework. The OSL LT selects a default curriculum to display that is based on the classes in which you are enrolled.

The first column displays the curriculum framework as a hierarchy of curriculum outcomes. The next column displays your current confirmed level for each curriculum outcome. The subsequent columns represent the levels of the default proficiency set for the curriculum. Each cell in the columns displays the number of times you have demonstrated a curriculum outcome at that level while participating in learning items across the various classes.

If you are enrolled in classes across multiple curricula, a curriculum framework selector is provided in the toolbar for you to select another curriculum framework. If the selected curriculum has multiple proficiency sets, a proficiency set selector is provided in the toolbar for you to select another proficiency set.

You can click the chart icon to review your demonstrated information across the proficiency levels for each framework item (outcome).

For information on the child demonstrations report, see Section 5.3.3.3.

Figure 5-4 Student Progress Tab

#### 5.3.3.1 Viewing Teacher's Assessment

To view the details of proficiencies you have demonstrated:

1. Click the Progress tab.

2. If necessary, from the framework list select a curriculum framework.

3. In the confirmation levels area, click the appropriate cell that displays the demonstration data of the framework item you want to view.

   The Demonstration area appears and lists all learning items for which the student has actually demonstrated the outcome at the specified level.

   Missed Opportunities lists all learning items for which the student has had the opportunity to demonstrate the outcome at the specified level, but has either not participated in the learning item or has not demonstrated the planned outcome.

4. From the Demonstrations panel, click a learning item.

   The Participation and Feedback tabs appear. The Participation tab lists records of your child's participation in the learning item.

5. Click the Feedback tab.

   The teacher's assessment appears.

#### 5.3.3.2 Viewing Confirmation History

The teacher assesses your proficiency against curriculum outcomes on a periodic basis, typically at the end of a semester. These assessments are called confirmations.

To view the records of your confirmations:

1. Click the Progress tab.

2. If necessary, from the framework list select a curriculum framework.

3. In the Confirmed Level column, select the current confirmed level for the curriculum outcome of interest.

   The Confirmation History window appears. This window lists records of confirmations in which your child has attained a particular level of competency for a curriculum outcome.

#### 5.3.3.3 About the Child Demonstrations Report

The Child Demonstrations Report is a graphical representation of the outcomes you demonstrated, as well as the opportunities you missed demonstrating.

Figure 5-5 Demonstrations Report

The table on the left displays your demonstrations and missed opportunities. You can click the number in the Missed Opportunities column to view the list of learning items where you were unable to demonstrate a proficiency for the given curriculum outcome. Similarly, you can click the number in the Demonstrations column to view the list of learning items where you demonstrated a proficiency for the given curriculum outcome.

The chart on the right shows the missed opportunities and demonstrations for each proficiency level. The light blue bar on top shows the number of missed opportunities while the dark blue bar below shows the number of demonstrations.

### 5.3.4 About the Observations Tab

From the Observations tab, you can retrieve, create, and reply to observations. The number of observations that appear are based on the preference value you set. For information on preferences, see Section 5.2.1.

Figure 5-6 Standard Student Observations Tab

#### 5.3.4.1 Searching for Observations

1. Click the Observations tab.

2. In the text box, use any one of the following as your search criteria: title, class name, author, learning item.

3. Click the Search icon.

   The system displays a list of observations that match the specified criteria.

4. To view the contents of the observation, click the title.

#### 5.3.4.2 Creating an Observation

To create an observation, perform the following:

1. Click the Observations tab.

2. On the upper left corner of the results panel, click the New icon.

3. In the Observation Entry window:

   1. In Summary, enter a summary of the observation.

   2. In Category, select a category.

   3. Use the rich data editor to enter your observation. For information on using the rich data editor, see Section 5.5.

   The observation appears in the results panel.

#### 5.3.4.3 Replying to an Observation

1. Click the Observations tab.

2. In the results panel, select the observation to which you want to reply.

3. On the upper left corner of the results panel, click the Reply icon.

4. In the Observation Entry window:

   1. In Summary, if necessary, modify the summary.

   2. Use the rich data editor to enter your observation. For information on using the rich data editor, see Section 5.5.

   The observation appears in the results panel.

## 5.4 Participating in a Learning Item

You participate in an activity by clicking the learning item assigned to you.

When you do this for a folder, the list of learning items within the folder is displayed.

Before you participate in a learning item, your progress is Not Commenced. When you participate in a learning item, your progress changes to In Progress. This occurs automatically when you:

- Post to a discussion learning item

- Post to a journal learning item

- Save a submission entry

- Open a task or reference

Your progress in a folder or document learning item is derived from your progress in the subordinate learning items. For example, if you commence any subordinate learning item, your progress changes to In Progress for the containing folder or document.

Your progress in a learning item will automatically change to Finished when you:

- Submit a submission entry

- Have commenced any other learning item type and the end date of the learning item is reached

Your progress in a folder or document will only change to Finished if you have finished all subordinate learning items.

You can only participate in a learning item while it is current (that is, between the start and end dates, inclusive). Submission learning items also have due dates. If you have not submitted your submission entry before the due date, it will be automatically indicated as late. A teacher may give you an extension. For a submission, it extends the due date and if the extension date is later than the end date, it also extends the end date. For other learning item types, it extends the end date.

### 5.4.1 Participating in a Discussion

1. Click the title of the discussion.

   The details of the discussion, such as the start and end dates and your progress are displayed. Any instructions provided by the teacher are displayed.

   A discussion may contain multiple threads. All existing posts in each thread are displayed.

2. To create a new thread, click the Post icon.

3. In the Discussion Post dialog, enter a title for the thread, a type, and the details of the first post in the rich data editor. See Section 5.5.

4. Click OK.

   Your new thread is added to the discussion.

5. To reply to an existing post, click the Reply icon.

6. In the Discussion Post dialog, alter the title of the thread and select a different type if desired.

   Enter the details of your reply in the rich data editor. See Section 5.5.

7. Click OK.

   Your reply post is added to the discussion.

8. To view the students assigned to the discussion, click the View Participants icon.

9. To view the feedback given to you by the teacher in relation to the discussion, click the Feedback icon.

   This Feedback page displays any comment, mark, grade, demonstration, or observation recorded by your teacher in relation to your participation in the discussion. To create your own feedback, see Section 5.3.2.2.

10. To leave the discussion and return to the activity list, click the Back icon.

### 5.4.2 Participating in a Journal

1. Click the title of the journal.

   The details of the journal, such as the start and end dates and your progress are displayed. Any instructions provided by the teacher are displayed. Any existing journal entries are displayed.

2. To create a new entry:

   1. Click the Post icon.

   2. In the Journal Entry dialog, enter the details of the journal in the rich data editor. See Section 5.5.

   3. Click OK.

      Your entry is added to the journal.

3. To edit an existing entry:

   1. Click the Edit icon.

   2. In the Journal Entry dialog, alter the details of the journal entry in the rich data editor. See Section 5.5.

   3. Click OK.

      Your entry is saved.

4. To view the students assigned to the journal learning item, click the View Participants icon.

5. To view the feedback given to you by the teacher in relation to your journal, click the Feedback icon.

   This Feedback page displays any comment, mark, grade, demonstration, or observation recorded by your teacher in relation to your participation in the journal. To create your own feedback, see Section 5.3.2.2.

6. To leave the journal and return to the activity list, click the Back icon.

### 5.4.3 Participating in a Submission

1. Click the title of the submission.

   The details of the submission, such as the start, due, and end dates and your progress are displayed. Any instructions provided by the teacher are displayed. Any existing submission entry is displayed.

2. To create a new entry:

   1. Click the New icon.

   2. In the Submission Entry dialog, enter the details of the submission in the rich data editor. See Section 5.5.

   3. Click OK.

      Your submission entry is added.

3. To edit an existing entry:

   1. Click the Edit icon.

   2. In the Submission Entry dialog, alter the details of the entry in the rich data editor. See Section 5.5.

   3. Click OK.

      Your changes are saved.

4. To submit the final submission entry to the teacher, click the Submit button.

   After this, you cannot edit the entry further. If you need to make alterations, you can request the teacher to reopen your submission.

5. To view the students assigned to the submission learning item, click the View Participants icon.

6. To view the feedback given to you by the teacher in relation to your submission, click the Feedback icon.

   This Feedback page displays any comment, mark, grade, demonstration, or observation recorded by your teacher in relation to your participation in the submission. To create your own feedback, see Section 5.3.2.2.

7. To leave the submission and return to the activity list, click the Back icon.

If the teacher has placed you into a submission group, you should work on the submission entry collaboratively with the group members. Only the group leader can edit and submit the submission on behalf of the group in the OSL LT.

The teacher may create, edit or submit a submission entry on your behalf. If you both edit the same submission entry, different versions will be created and you are able to view earlier versions of the submission entry. A new version will also be created if the teacher reopens your submission.

### 5.4.4 Participating in a Task

1. Click the title of the task.

   The details of the task, such as the start and end dates and your progress are displayed. Any instructions provided by the teacher are displayed.

2. To view the students assigned to the task, click the View Participants icon.

3. To view the feedback given to you by the teacher in relation to the task, click the Feedback icon.

   This Feedback page displays any comment, mark, grade, demonstration, or observation recorded by your teacher in relation to your participation in the task. To create your own feedback, see Section 5.3.2.2.

4. To leave the task and return to the activity list, click the Back icon.

### 5.4.5 Participating in a Reference

1. Click the title of the reference learning item.

   The details of the reference, such as the start and end dates and your progress are displayed. Any instructions provided by the teacher are displayed. The referenced Web site is displayed.

2. Participate in the Web site directly.

3. To view the students assigned to the task, click the View Participants icon.

4. To view the feedback given to you by the teacher in relation to the reference learning item, click the Feedback icon.

   This Feedback page displays any comment, mark, grade, demonstration, or observation recorded by your teacher in relation to your participation in the referenced Web site. To create your own feedback, see Section 5.3.2.2.

5. To leave the reference learning item and return to the activity list, click the Back icon.

### 5.4.6 Participating in a Document

1. Click the title of the document.

   Each of the subordinate learning items are displayed in a single page.

2. Participate in the subordinate learning items directly.

3. To view the students assigned to the task, click the View Participants icon.

4. To view the feedback given to you by the teacher in relation to the document, click the Feedback icon.

   This Feedback page displays any comment, mark, grade, demonstration, or observation recorded by your teacher in relation to your participation in the subordinate learning items. To create your own feedback, see Section 5.3.2.2.

5. To leave the document and return to the activity list, click the Back icon.

## 5.5 Editing Rich Data

Figure 5-7 Rich Data Editor

You can create rich data (rich text with additional document and audio attachments) throughout the OSL LT and use these in activity instructions, discussion posts, submission entries and observations.

You can enter text via a rich text editor that also enables you to insert images and links to content that you obtain from the internet, an intranet, or within a content management server.

Documents that are stored locally, or in a shared location, can be attached to the rich text. Audio can be recorded and attached to the rich text.

### 5.5.1 Inserting Images

You can insert an image by clicking the Image icon in the text editor. The Image Properties dialog appears.

In the Image Properties dialog, you can specify the image to insert in one of the following ways:

- In the Image Info area, select an image from a content management server. Click Browse Server to locate the image.

- In the Image Info area, enter the URL to the image.

- In the Upload area, select an image from your hard disk or a network drive.

Click OK to insert the image in the text area.

### 5.5.2 Inserting Links

You can insert an image by clicking the Link icon in the text editor. The Link dialog appears.

In the Link dialog, you can specify the link to insert in one of the following ways:

- In the Link Info area, select a document from a content management server. Click Browse Server to locate the document to which you wish to link.

- In the Link Info area, select the link type and enter other required information, such as the URL of the Web site to which you are linking.

- In the Upload area, select a file from your hard disk or a network drive.

Click OK to insert the link in the text area.

### 5.5.3 Attaching Files

You can attach files from your local system by clicking the Attach Files button below the editor. The Attach Files dialog box is displayed, which enables you to select a file from your hard disk or a network drive. The selected file is attached and shown as a hyperlink with the file icon.

You can click the hyperlink to open or save the attached file.

You can also remove the attached file by clicking the Delete File icon.

### 5.5.4 Recording Audio

You can add audio instructions to complement your text and attachments. This is especially helpful for young students or those with poor reading skills.

To record audio:

1. Click the Record Audio icon in the editor.

2. In the Record Audio dialog, enter a name for the audio file.

3. Click the Start Recording Audio icon, and then speak into your microphone.

   Make sure your computer has the necessary hardware to record audio.

4. When you are done recording, click the Stop Recording icon.

5. To exit the Record Audio dialog, click the Close button.

   The recorded audio listed below the text area

6. If you want to remove a recording, click the corresponding Delete icon.