links

= Links to some useful tools and web pages =

Learning Design Tool
The Framework has just released this beta version of the Learning Design Tool. We invite feedback from all users who trial the tool before 25 September. If you would like to provide feedback, please send any comments or suggestions to info@eworks.edu.au The Learning Design Tool is a FREE online resource which guides you step-by-step through the four essential stages to write high quality, learner-focused course content, and to create your own learning design template. To install the Learning Design Tool for VET you will need to:
 * 1) Read the [|copyright statement] and [|disclaimer].
 * 2) Check that your system meets the [|technical requirements].
 * 3) Download and install Adobe® AIR™ runtime for [|Mac OS] or [|Windows].
 * 4) Download, unzip and install [|Learning Design Tool for VET] (5.38MB zip file, updated 12/08/09).

Multimedia

 * **Audacity Portable** - a version of the Audacity audio editor that will run from a USB key or hard drive without needing administrator access to the computer.
 * **[|Audacity LAME MP3 Encoder]** - needed to enable Audacity to export MP3 files, just follow these [|instructions for installation]
 * **[|GIMP portable]** - a powerful image editing program which will run from you USB or hard drive. If you have administrator priviledges, you might want to install the [|full version of GIMP]
 * **[|Irfanview]** - an image viewer for windows which can also do some basic editing
 * **[|Super C]** - a simple, yet efficient tool to convert (encode) or play any Multimedia file, (without reading manuals or spending long hours training :-) The actual download link can be a bit tricky to find, but read the page carefully and click through when prompted.
 * **[|VLC media player portable]** - a highly portable multimedia player supporting most audio and video formats. I couldn't begin to count the number of times this little application on my USB key has saved my lesson/presentation. You can find the stand alone version on the [|VLC site]

**Web Development**

 * **[|KompoZer portable]** - an HTML editor which can run from your USB stick. The [|Getting Started with KompoZer] guide explains how it all works.
 * **[|Anarchy Media Player]** - a javascript file that will let you embed and play mp3, flv, Quicktime mov, mp4, m4v, m4a, m4b, 3gp as well as Windows wmv, avi and asf files, in the a simple media player on your web page.
 * **[|Web Developers Toolbar]** - a firefox addon with a whole bevy of useful tools. Here's [|a few tips on how it can be used]

Australian Flexible Learning Framework Tools

 * **[|Framework Content Package Player]** - enables content packaged e-learning content (IMS packages) to be played in a web browser without requiring any additional software.
 * **[|ARED v2.1]** - a development tool for building interactive flash based learning objects.
 * **[|VET Reload Tool v2.61]** December 2009 - used to create the IMS Content Packages and corresponding VET metadata (Vetadata) that the Framework requires for all learning objects created by Innovations Projects.

Testing

 * **[|W3C markup validation service]** - checks that HTML and XHTML documents are valid.
 * **[|accessED]** - a plugin tool for the Firefox web browser that allows you to test your web content for conformance to W3C accessibility guidelines
 * **[|W3C CSS validation service]** - checks CSS Style Sheets for validity.

Innovation Projects - what are other teams up to?
[|**http://trainingo2.net/eli/search.php**] - search for 2008, 2009 & 2010 National E-learning Innovations projects by state, industry area or RTO type.