Abstract: An authoring tool to structure and create a computer-based training course includes a role allocation module to facilitate an allocation of a user to at least one of an instructional design role and a content definition role with respect to the authoring tool. A function allocation module facilitates an allocation of a first set of functions, provided by the authoring tool, to the instructional design role, and also facilitates an allocation of a second set of functions, provided by the authoring tool, to the content definition role.

Abstract: A method for optimizing dependencies for a set of objects includes: automatically detecting dependencies among a set of objects, where each of the objects in the set includes at least one linkable file; adding the detected dependencies to a dependency list; and removing dependencies from the dependency list for any object that does not have at least one file dependency. The method optionally includes removing unused files from the set of objects, breaking a selected object into smaller objects, and making a file having a large number of dependencies into its own object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a data object previewer is described. In an embodiment, the invention is a method. The method includes detecting a change in a structure. The method also includes processing the structure into a preview. The method further includes presenting the preview. In another embodiment, the invention is a system. The system includes a processor, a bus coupled to the processor, and a memory coupled to the bus. The processor is to detect a change in a structure, process the structure into a preview, and present the preview.

Abstract: A method for constraining learning strategies for a training course includes determining learning strategies available for the training course in a learning system. A subset of the learning strategies available in the learning system may be selected as learning strategies valid for the training course.

Abstract: A method for optimizing dependencies for a set of objects includes: automatically detecting dependencies among a set of objects, where each of the objects in the set includes at least one linkable file; adding the detected dependencies to a dependency list; and removing dependencies from the dependency list for any object that does not have at least one file dependency. The method optionally includes removing unused files from the set of objects, breaking a selected object into smaller objects, and making a file having a large number of dependencies into its own object.

Abstract: A method for optimizing dependencies for a set of objects includes: automatically detecting dependencies among a set of objects, where each of the objects in the set includes at least one linkable file; adding the detected dependencies to a dependency list; and removing dependencies from the dependency list for any object that does not have at least one file dependency. The method optionally includes removing unused files from the set of objects, breaking a selected object into smaller objects, and making a file having a large number of dependencies into its own object.

Abstract: A method for versioning learning objects comprises identifying learning content, which includes a plurality of learning objects, for storage in a content repository. Each learning object comprises or contains at least one content file. The method then includes comparing first version information of a first of the content files to versioning information obtained from an object version file identifying a prior version of the particular learning object. In response to at least a portion of the first version information of the first content file matching a corresponding portion of the versioning information stored in the object version file, a pointer to a corresponding content file in the prior version of the learning object is stored in a new object version file.

Abstract: Systems and techniques by which content and presentation players can communicate are described. In one aspect, presentation system for rendering a presentation for a user includes one or more output devices, a presentation including machine-readable descriptions of content and a service request triggering mechanism to trigger a service request, and a presentation player configured to generate a rendition of the presentation at one or more output devices and to respond to the service request with a service response to populate the rendition of the presentation. The service response includes at least one of information characterizing an arrangement of content in the presentation and information characterizing prior navigation of the user through the content of the presentation. The presentation further includes extraction logic to extract relevant information from a response to the service request for addition to the rendition of the presentation.

Abstract: An example method for time-out handling comprises establishing a session from a network-based application at a client to a web server. The method includes identifying a time-out parameter for the web server. A timestamp of the established session is saved at the client. The method also includes determining a first time-out by adding the identified time-out parameter to the timestamp and triggering a system-based communication from the network-based application to keep the session alive. The method may be implemented by a client of a learning management system.

Abstract: A method for changing learning strategies includes presenting a training course to a learner in order based on a learning strategy. A disparate learning strategy is received from the learner specific to the training course. The disparate learning strategy is applied to the training course. The training course is presented to the learner in order based on the disparate learning strategy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and techniques to provide for batch processing of wizards. In general, the techniques may include a computer-implemented method that comprises presenting a wizard to a user to perform a step-by-step process, with each step associated with a step type and the step type being one of confirmation, processing, optional input, or mandatory input. The process is executed as a batch process based on a user request. Then, the batch process is interrupted based on an associated step type of a current step, the interrupting comprising comparing the associated step type to a user parameter.

Abstract: A method for optimizing dependencies for a set of objects includes: automatically detecting dependencies among a set of objects, where each of the objects in the set includes at least one linkable file; adding the detected dependencies to a dependency list; and removing dependencies from the dependency list for any object that does not have at least one file dependency. The method optionally includes removing unused files from the set of objects, breaking a selected object into smaller objects, and making a file having a large number of dependencies into its own object.

Abstract: A method for managing visibility of GUI components in an application includes initializing the application and invoking a visibility manager. A user interface of the application is then displayed wherein display of the GUI components are determined by the visibility manager.

Abstract: A method for optimizing dependencies for a set of objects includes: automatically detecting dependencies among a set of objects, where each of the objects in the set includes at least one linkable file; adding the detected dependencies to a dependency list; and removing dependencies from the dependency list for any object that does not have at least one file dependency. The method optionally includes removing unused files from the set of objects, breaking a selected object into smaller objects, and making a file having a large number of dependencies into its own object.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a computer program product for executing wizard data using a metawizard is described. The computer program product may be tangibly embodied on a computer-readable medium and include executable code that, when executed, is configured to cause at least one data processing apparatus to execute the metawizard. The metawizard may be configured to execute a portion of a first wizard data in a metawizard, determine a second wizard data in the metawizard remains to be executed, and execute a portion of the second wizard data in the metawizard.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method to resolve errors pertaining to a computer-based application includes automatically determining whether input to resolve an error, pertaining to the computer-based application, exceeds a level of complexity. If not, then the error is presented to a user in conjunction with an input field to receive input from the user to resolve the error.

Abstract: Systems and techniques by which content and presentation players can communicate are described. In one aspect, presentation system for rendering a presentation for a user includes one or more output devices, a presentation including machine-readable descriptions of content and a service request triggering mechanism to trigger a service request, and a presentation player configured to generate a rendition of the presentation at one or more output devices and to respond to the service request with a service response to populate the rendition of the presentation. The service response includes at least one of information characterizing an arrangement of content in the presentation and information characterizing prior navigation of the user through the content of the presentation. The presentation further includes extraction logic to extract relevant information from a response to the service request for addition to the rendition of the presentation.

Abstract: A learning system maintains an account of a student's information, courses, skills, and qualifications. The student may take courses offered by the learning system online or offline. To take a course offline course information is downloaded to an offline player at the student's location; however, the state of the student in the course is maintained by the learning system (online). A state manager is provided between the offline player and the student's account in the learning system. The state manager uses four states to transition between online and offline in order to ensure the integrity and synchronization of the online learner account.

Abstract: A repository manager and copy editor may be used to create an offline course, which allow learners to process course material locally on their computer without the need to connect to the e-learning system. A generic packaging list is created when the course is offered offline. A specific packaging list customized for the learner is created when the offline course is downloaded. An offline manager tool provides an interface for taking the course offline.

Abstract: A course editor includes an input to accept author commands. An interface processes and displays the author commands to facilitate the creation of a course. The interface may include a workspace to display and assemble the structural elements into the course. The workspace may include a menu of structural elements that may be added to the course. The workspace is configured to display a structural element in response to an author command selecting the structural element from the menu. The structural elements may be a sub-course, a learning unit, and/or a knowledge item.