Exploring Science and Moodle

[ChrisH]

We have Exploring Science - How Science Works for 7,8 and 9 . I have successfully deployed it via the network but it needs to go on our moodle and it doesnt give and specific instructions on how to repackage it. Has anyone done this and want to give me a few pointers please.

[Marc]

Depends on the versions of the software you have.

We were able to do it with our recently bought CD's for 7,8 & 9 but 11 proved to be an older version and it was not possible.

You should find a readme on the disk that explains the pocess of exporting the files from the msi

When creating the final zip to upload into moodle, the zip must have the manifest.xml in the root of the zip.

Upload the zip as an IMS content package from the add resource dropdown.

[ChrisH]

I tried following those instructions which are a little strange to say the least. I did then normal admin install, which worked fine. I then did the admin install with the CC3 setup with those files as instructed and it failed ! I will keep trying for a while.

[ChrisH]

***** Edit Managed to do it. Had a read through the manifest for file locations the file wasn't very specific! Cheers

[Oops_my_bad]

Out of interest how did you manage to deploy the software? Especially the stuff that comes on multiple CD's..

[ChrisH]

Well actually I did the admin install as normal

msiexec /a setup.msi

which put all the content, from all the discs into the one place. I then just put it on a share and linked to wrapper.exe in one of the folders. I did consider sending it out but I think some of our machines are tight on space and wouldn't take it.

[kearton]

I believe they (Pearson/Longman/Heinneman/WhateverTheyCallThemselvesTheseDays) have withdrawn the VLE (definitely Fronter, but not sure about Moodle or others?) version for ActiveTeach.

I have also done an administrative installation to a network share but I'm having a nightmare getting it working. I created a small MSI to deploy the ActiveTeach and ActiveBook shortcuts via GP but the installation is failing. Checking the Event Log reveals this error:

Source: MsiInstaller, Event ID: 11327
Product: Exploring Science ActiveBook -- Error 1327.Invalid Drive: P:\

P: isn't mapped until a user logs in. Of course if I install the MSI when I'm already logged in, P: already exists and it works fine. So I thought I'd change the icon to use a UNC path instead. Now when I launch the icon I get this:

Director Player Error
Object expected
<Void>
Script Error. Continue?
Yes/No

If I click Yes, wrapper.exe launches but does nothing but a white blank window which won't close.
If I click No the program closes. I phoned their Tech Support line and was told that their products don't support UNC paths. D'oh! I *really* don't want to have to manually (e.g script) put the icons onto every PC as every other application we use gets these via GP.

Does anyone have any clever ideas about GP deployment for shortcuts using drive letters that don't exist before user logon?

[kearton]

Does anyone have any clever ideas about GP deployment for shortcuts using drive letters that don't exist before user logon?

I've managed to figure out a workaround. I created a CMD file on the C: which started the program. And the shortcut just called the CMD file. Simples...

[Edu-IT]

Were there not SCORM packages on the disc which you could import into Moodle?

[beeswax]

I've managed to get ActiveBook 9 compiled as a Scorm file and working, but I'm struggling to get 7 & 8 to do the same thing while working from the same instructions. One of the things I've found is not to use the /passive command when extracting from the CD, as you are required to extract material from the other 2 discs and will be prompted for them. I've spent half the morning struggling with 7 & 8 and think I'm going to give up shortly. Life's too short.

[davidfaure]

I have read this thread with interest, we have the same Moodle issue that you have. Before I launch into IMS and Exploring science, could anyone tell me what the advantage of having Exp Sci in Moodle is? Couldn't I link to the resources outside Moodle from within Moodle?
Many thanks

[ChrisH]

The Moodle part does not give as much functionality as the proper install on the computer. There are certain sections that are unavailable. I just installed it at the request of the department.

[davidfaure]

thanks for your reply Chris,

Can I ask a few extra questions?

Does it mean that the resources are aranged into courses on moodle?
Does it work in a webpage format, rather than the Flash book ?
Does it help when planning courses on moodle?
Could I look at the Moodle pages of your science department as a visitor so I could see what it looks like?

[apoth0r]

Moodle gives accesibility to the resources inside and outside school. As this is starting to become a requirement, it's general best practice to have your content for the curriculum available on the VLE.
'Anywhere learning' you heard it here first.....and if you didn't hear it here first then i'm simply quoting