Searching and Linking to Learning Object Repository

Searching and Linking to Learning Object Repository Information

You can copy or link to content from an existing ANGEL Learning Object Repository. The collaborative use of repositories is an efficient way to share content associated with a particular campus, department, or course. For example, if a content item in a repository is revised, all courses that have linked to that particular content item will automatically reflect those changes. Repository content can also be copied, rather than linked. Copied content will not automatically update, but can be a time saver nonetheless. For example, a set of quizzes for a particular course could be developed in a repository, and then those quizzes can be copied by many instructors into their individual courses.

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1. Log on to your ANGEL course and click the Lessons tab.

Lessons Tab

2. Click Add Content. NOTE - The Add Content link is also found within folders.

Add Content Link

3. Under the More Options heading, click Import from Learning Object Repository.

Import from Learning Object Repository Link

4. In the Repositories field, click the title of the repository from which you want to copy or link to content.

Repositories List

5. Click the Search button.

Search Button

6. You will see the list of Lessons content that is contained in that repository.

Content List

7. To view content before selecting it, click the item's icon or title. The content will appear in a new window.

Content Item

8. Click in the box to the left of each content item you want to copy or link to. NOTE - Checking a folder selects the folder and the contents within that folder.

Select Items

9. Click either the Link to Items or the Copy Items button:

Link to Items - If the content item is changed in the repository, the changes will be reflected in your course. Linking is appropriate for items like text pages, Web links, and files. In this way, when the editor of the repository makes revisions, these items in your course will be automatically updated. You can only edit the title and subtitle of a linked item.

Copy Items - If the content item is changed in the repository, the changes will NOT be reflected in your course. Copying is appropriate for gradeable items like quizzes, drop boxes, and discussion forums. Linking, rather than copying these kinds of content items, can have unintended results. For example, discussion forums that are linked from a repository will contain all the messages posted by all members of all courses into which that forum was linked. It is necessary to copy these items so that your course will contain only the submissions from your students. As with any of your other course content, you can make full edits to this copied item as though you had created it from "scratch" yourself.

Link or Copy

10. You will see a confirmation message indicating the number of items imported. Click the Continue button to copy or link to more items, or click the Done button if you have completed the import process.

Click Continue or Done

11. The copied or linked items will appear at the end of the Lessons content. If you began this process from within one of your course's folders, the copied or linked items will appear in that folder. Otherwise, you can rearrange or move the items to where you need them to be located. A small arrow in the lower right corner of each icon indicates you have linked to the repository item. An item without this arrow indicates you have copied the repository item.

Item Added