Lesson Builder

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Overview

Lesson Builder is a powerful content authoring tool that enables instructors to create organized, engaging learning experiences. Combine text, multimedia, embedded tools, and assessments into cohesive lessons with prerequisites, branching paths, and student tracking.

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Key Features

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Page Structure

Organize content into logical learning sequences:

• Pages: Individual content screens within a lesson
• Subpages: Hierarchical organization of related content
• Page navigation: Sequential or menu-based progression
• Modules: Group related pages into learning units
• Table of contents: Automatic navigation menu generation

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Content Types

Rich variety of embeddable content:

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Adding Content Items

Build engaging lesson pages:

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Prerequisites and Conditions

Create adaptive learning paths:

• Page prerequisites: Require completion of previous pages before access
• Item prerequisites: Must complete specific items to proceed
• Score requirements: Require minimum quiz scores to advance
• Conditional release: Show/hide content based on criteria
• Branching: Different paths based on student performance
• Forced sequential: Students must complete pages in order

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Student Pages

Enable student content creation:

• Students create their own lesson pages
• Useful for portfolios, projects, or presentations
• Peer review of student-created pages
• Instructor feedback on student content
• Grade student pages based on rubrics
• Public or private visibility options

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Completion Tracking

Monitor student progress through lessons:

• Required items: Mark content as required for completion
• Progress indicators: Visual progress bars for students
• Completion reports: See which students finished lessons
• Item-level tracking: Track completion of individual activities
• Date stamps: Record when students complete items
• Gradebook integration: Lesson completion scores sync to Gradebook

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Grading Options

Assess lesson participation and performance:

• Completion grading: Points for finishing required items
• Embedded assessment scores: Grades from built-in quizzes
• Student page grading: Score student-created content
• Manual override: Adjust completion status when needed
• Point values: Assign different point values to different pages
• Release conditions: Control when grades are visible

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Multimedia Integration

Embed rich media content:

• Video embedding: YouTube, Vimeo, or uploaded video files
• Audio files: MP3 or other audio formats
• Images: Display photos, diagrams, or graphics
• Interactive content: H5P activities, simulations
• External websites: Embed web pages in iframes
• Responsive design: Media adapts to screen sizes

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Navigation Options

Control how students move through content:

• Next/Previous buttons: Linear progression through pages
• Table of contents: Menu-based navigation
• Breadcrumbs: Show current location in hierarchy
• Free navigation: Access pages in any order
• Forced sequential: Must complete pages in order
• Custom navigation: Create custom links between pages

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Checklist Feature

Help students track their own progress:

• Create checklists of learning activities
• Students check off completed items
• Required vs. optional items
• Due dates for checklist items
• Progress indicators
• Instructor visibility into student checklists

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Question Pools

Create quick formative assessments:

• Short answer questions: Open-ended text responses
• Multiple choice: Auto-graded selection questions
• Immediate feedback: Show correct answers after response
• Required answers: Must answer to proceed
• Grade questions: Assign points to question responses
• Question banks: Reuse questions across lessons

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Peer Evaluation

Facilitate peer assessment:

• Students review peers’ work
• Rating scales and comment fields
• Anonymous or identified peer review
• Rubric-based evaluation
• Aggregate peer ratings
• Instructor oversight of peer feedback

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Comments and Discussion

Enable conversation around lesson content:

• Students post comments on lesson pages
• Threaded discussions on specific content
• Instructor moderation options
• Email notifications for new comments
• Public or private comments
• Grade participation in discussions

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Groups and Differentiation

Target content to specific audiences:

• Group-specific pages: Only visible to certain groups
• Differentiated content: Different paths for different students
• Section-based lessons: Separate content for different sections
• Group collaboration spaces: Team-specific pages and activities

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Best Practices

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Lesson Design

• Start with learning objectives for each lesson
• Chunk content into digestible pages (5-10 minutes each)
• Vary content types to maintain engagement
• Use descriptive page titles that indicate content
• Create logical progression from simple to complex
• Include formative assessments throughout

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Content Organization

• Use hierarchical page structure to organize complex topics
• Group related content into modules
• Provide clear navigation cues
• Create summary or review pages at end of modules
• Use consistent formatting across lessons

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Multimedia Use

• Keep videos short (3-7 minutes ideal)
• Add transcripts or captions for accessibility
• Use images to illustrate key concepts
• Ensure all media is accessible to students with disabilities
• Test media playback before releasing to students
• Provide alternative text descriptions for images

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Prerequisites and Pacing

• Use prerequisites to ensure foundational knowledge
• Don’t over-constrain navigation; balance guidance with flexibility
• Set realistic completion time expectations
• Provide clear criteria for advancement
• Consider student time commitments when setting requirements

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Assessment Integration

• Include frequent low-stakes questions for practice
• Use formative assessments to guide learning
• Provide immediate feedback when possible
• Align assessments with learning objectives
• Mix question types for comprehensive understanding

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Student Engagement

• Include interactive elements, not just static content
• Use student pages for active learning
• Incorporate peer review when appropriate
• Enable comments to build community
• Vary activities to accommodate different learning styles

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Common Use Cases

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Flipped Classroom

Deliver pre-class content:

• Create lessons with video lectures and readings
• Include comprehension check questions
• Require completion before class session
• Use in-class time for application activities

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Modular Course Content

Organize course into learning units:

• Each module as a separate lesson
• Sequential prerequisites between modules
• Module quiz or assignment as capstone
• Clear learning objectives per module

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Student Portfolios

Showcase student work:

• Students create portfolio pages
• Upload work samples and reflections
• Peer review of portfolios
• Public sharing option for exemplary work

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Orientation and Onboarding

Introduce new students to course:

• Syllabus and course policies
• Tool tutorials and how-tos
• Success strategies and resources
• Required acknowledgment of course policies

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Technical Details

Lesson Builder is implemented using:

• Data Access: SimplePageToolDao interface (lessonbuilder/api/src/java/org/sakaiproject/lessonbuildertool/model/SimplePageToolDao.java:52)
• Data Models: SimplePage, SimplePageItem, SimplePageLogEntry entities
• Content Hosting: Integration with Resources for file storage
• Tool Integration: Embeds Assignments, Tests, Forums via tool APIs
• Tracking: Completion and progress stored in database
• Permissions: Integrated with Sakai’s role-based security