1 Setting up iTutor
Before starting, please read license.txt for exact license conditions. Note especially that you are not allowed to place iTutor on the Internet without appropriate access restrictions - only internal corporate/educational use is allowed.
1.1 Compatibility and requirements
| LMS (eLearning Management System) Compatibility | |
| - Any LMS compatible with AICC 2.0 Level 1-2 Rev 3.5 (HACP Communication) | |
| Compatible Web Servers | |
| - Apache, all platforms - Microsoft IIS 5.x and newer - All other standard web servers |
|
| Workstation Requirements | |
| - Internet Explorer 4.x or newer,
Netscape 4.06 or newer or other web browser with
Java 1.1 or newer - JavaScript recommended on workstation browsers |
|
Study information is stored to LMS database (AICC) allowing users to change the computer being used.
To test the Applet's compatibility quickly with your web browser, just open the file 'index.html' in your browser (progress not stored).
1.2 Overview of the installation process
To get iTutor up and running in your LMS, you need to complete the following steps:
1. Install iTutor on your web server computer
2. Configure the typing course and the final test
settings
3. integrated course into Learning Management Systems
(AICC compatible )
Instructions on how to complete steps 1-2 are given in chapters 1.3 to 1.6.
1.3 Installing iTutor
Start the installation of iTutor by clicking on the online installation link sent to you in the license information email.
Give the installation applet the necessary rights and click on the "Start Installer for [your platform]" button to begin installation.
Note: If you already have Java 1.4 (or newer) installed on your computer, you can uncheck the "Include VM in download". This will speed up downloading. If you are not sure, it is best to leave this option checked.
Follow the instructions given by the Installation Wizard to complete the installation.
When the installation finishes, please read the "Readme " file . This file contains the latest information on the program.
1.4 Configuring iTutor
Once you have installed iTutor, it is recommended to configure its settings to best meet your needs. It is possible to customize both the typing course and the final test.
Note: If you will install iTutor on a remote web server by copying the webfolder there, you need to copy iTutor files to the server each time you reconfigure either the typing course or the final test.
If iTutor is installed to a virtual folder (IIS) or a shared folder, then changes to typing course or final test settings can be done from the Start-menu shortcuts and affect the iTutor applet immediately.
1.4.1 Typing course configuration
The typing tutor configuration can be started from the "Configure Typing Tutor" Start -menu shortcut.
If you also want to view or customize the study materials in iTutor, you can do this with the "Study Material Editor" Start menu shortcut. (Available only in Windows operating systems.)
Typing Tutor settings
| Setting name | Description | Options |
| Course duration | Duration of the typing course | User choice; No time; Course default; 25 min; 35 min; 45 min |
| Keyboard | Select keyboard layout for the touch typing course | US English; US International; British English |
| Speed unit | Select speed measurement unit, either Words per Minute (USA) or Characters/Keystrokes per Minute (Europe) | WPM; CPM/KPM |
Restrictions
| Setting name | Description | Options |
| Backspace behavior | Allow or prevent error correction with backspace during the exercises | Allow use of backspace; Prevent use of backspace |
| Exercise lock | User is required to finish the exercise in order to mark it completed | Disabled; Enabled |
| Minimum accuracy | Minimum accuracy to pass the last drill of each lesson | 50%; 75%; 80%; 85%; 90%; 95%; 96%; 97%; 98%; 99%; 100%; No limit |
| Minimum speed | Minimum WPM gross speed to pass the last drill of each lesson | 0 WPM; 20 WPM; 30 WPM; 35 WPM; 40 WPM; 50 WPM |
| Typing tests | User is allowed to freely practice typing tests at any time | Yes; No (only final test allowed) |
Advanced settings
| Setting name | Description | Options |
| WPM word length | Word length used to calculate WPM from total keystrokes. 5-stroke word is the US standard, use 6-strokes for business language | 5-stroke (standard); 6-stroke |
1.4.2 Final test configuration
You can also configure settings for both the Final typing test (appearing after the Touch Typing course) or Pre-Test (a separate courseware).
Optionally if you want final test results to be delivered by email either to the course administrator, it is important to define the SMTP Mail Server to be used, sender email address and course administrator's email address.
Final test settings
| Setting name | Description | Options |
| Test duration | Test duration for final test (in the demo always 1 min.) | 1 min; 2 min; 5 min; 10 min; User choice 1-5 minutes; User choice 1-60 minutes |
| Test text | Test text used in the final test | Select text; User choice |
| Accuracy percent | Accuracy percent required to pass the tests. The standard for professinal typists is 98%. | 0%; 50%; 75%; 90%; 95%; 97%; 98%; 99%; 100% |
| Minimum speed | Minimum net typing speed required to pass the tests | 0 WPM; 20 WPM; 30 WPM; 35 WPM; 40 WPM; 50 WPM |
| Use of backspace | Allow or prevent use of backspace during the test | Allow; Prevent |
| Force completion | User is required to finish the test before sending any results. | Enabled; Disabled |
Email test results
| Setting name | Description | Options |
| SMTP Mail Server | Mail server for sending results, e.g. mail.yourcompany.com | Type in server name Note, if you use MailServer located on another machine, you need to use Signed Applet (see 2.2) |
| Sender address | Any valid email address, this will be set as the sender of the result emails. | Type in email address |
| Supervisor's email address | If defined, all final test results will be sent to this address. | Type in email address |
1.5 Web Server Installation
After you have configured the iTutor, you can publish it to your web server. This method allows all users in your organization to have easy access to the program.
IIS VIRTUAL DIRECTORY INSTALLATION
By default the setup offers to make itutor available in the address http://yourwebserver/itutor/
This so called Virtual Directory makes it appear immediatelly to all users (IIS only).
MANUAL INSTALLATION
Alternatively if you have e.g. Apache, you may want to copy the "webfolder" subfolder (usually C:\Program Files\itutor\webfolder) and all its contents into your wwwroot -directory manually.
| - | Example directory for IIS: c:\inetpub\wwwroot\ |
| - | Example directory for Apache Win32: c:\program files\apache group\apache\htdocs\ |
When copying files, make sure that the directory structure remains unchanged. After copying you can rename the "webfolder" to "itutor" for example.
VERIFY THE LOCATION
After this, open http://localhost/itutor/ using your web browser to see if the installation was made successfully.
TIP: If you wish, you can customize the index.html and other htm-files to better integrate the program to your LMS
1.7 Uninstallation
To uninstall the program from the intranet web server, just delete the itutor folder and all files. (You need to remove optional Virtual Directory entry manually)
If you also want to remove the program shortcuts from your computer, uninstall it as any application from "Add / Remove Programs" in the Control Panel.
2 eLearning LMS Integration
This chapter gives an overview of how to import iTutor
courseware into your LMS. Make sure your LMS is
compatible with AICC 2.0 Level 1-2 Rev 3.5 (HACP
Communication) courseware.
2.1 Importing Courseware (AICC)
Choose to import a new course into your LMS.
Course files are by default located in C:\Program Files\iTutorLms\Aicc\ . You can choose to import one or more courses.
Note: By default the .AU file contains a static link to courseware at address http://localhost/itutor/ . Make sure your LMS replaces this URL with a valid server name or alternatively please edit the server URL manually, otherwise this courseware may not be launched properly.
2.2 Launching Courseware
iTutor should now appear inside your LMS. You can browse and start the Lessons as usual.
Typing and numpad courses are returning the score that
describes how well course has been completed.
Score reflects customizable Net Speed (WPM) value that
can be changed from manager tool.
Unsigned Applet
By default unsigned Java Applet is being used: its required that Web Server is located on same machine as LMS. If necessary, you can perform the change by editing aicc_uk_loader.html replace itutor2_unsigned.jar and itutor2_unsigned.cab with itutor2.JAR and itutor2.cab. Also if you use MailServer located on another machine, you need to do this change.
Changing the Close Tutor behaviour
By default active HTML page is closed after course is
completed. If you need to go to some URL when user closes
the iTutor, please enter e.g. aicc_exit=/lms/studyingdone.htm
into ukitutor.properties
3 Studying with iTutor
iTutor is a complete touch typing tutor that can be used online with all common Internet browsers. The material consists of two typing courses and a typing test module. Courses will appear in your LMS.
The Touch Typing Course
This course will teach you the basic touch typing
technique in 11 lessons. In each lesson you will learn a
few keys from the keyboard and the practice the use of
these keys with key, word, sentence and paragraph drills
as well two games called "Bubbles" and
"WordTris".
At the end of the typing course, there is a final test that can be customized by the course administrator. The results of the final test can be sent by email either to the test taker or the course administrator.
The Numeric Keypad Course
This course will help you become a fluent typist with the
numeric keypad (10-key data entry).
Typing Test Module
With the test applet you can quickly assess your typing
skills. When typing one of the selected texts, the
program counts typing speed and errors and shows results
on screen.
Note: The course administrator can disable the use of the typing test module if s/he does not want users to practice test texts before taking the final test at the end of the course.
Navigation
Moving between lessons and exercises is very easy thanks to iTutor's clear user interface and instructions on how to progress on all screens.
| - Use 'Skip' button to move
between lessons. - Start exercises by highlighting them and clicking 'Begin' or pressing Enter. - When working on an exercise, you can quit it by clicking 'Cancel'. - To move on in an exercise, click on 'Next'. - To take a typing test, click on the Typing Test button |
3.1 Lessons
Each course consists of lessons with 5 to 7 exercises. When you start a course, you'll be taken to a starting screen of the first lesson. The screen displays the title of the lesson and all exercises in the lesson.
To start studying, highlight the first exercise by clicking on it and choose 'Begin'. When the exercise is completed, pressing 'Enter' will take you back to the lesson view.
When an exercise is completed, a check mark will appear next to its name. If an exercise is not checked, it has not been accessed or completed.
3.2 Exercise types
There are five exercise types in iTutor. In addition to these, you can practice keyboarding with Bubbles or WordTris games.
Key drill
Key drills are designed to teach the locations of new
keys. They are combinations of four keys that will be
repeated four times. The screen shows a keyboard where
the keys that are being studied or have already been
studied are highlighted. During the exercise, the key to
be typed is colored green.
The sequence of keys to be typed is shown at the top of the screen along with written instructions on what finger to use.
Underneath the keyboard is a picture of two hands. A green dot indicates the finger that should be used to stroke each key. This helps you to memorize the typing technique and also to use all fingers effectively when typing.
At the right hand side there is a check box indicating how many times the sequence has been repeated. There is also a clock showing the time you have left to complete the exercise.
Word drill
Word drills consist either of words that are repeated
twice or rows of words, using the letters that have been
learned.
Words or rows of words are show on top of the screen. This time you will only get visual aids to help you type in case you make a typing mistake.
Sentence drill
There are two types of sentence drills in iTutor:
| (a) | Drill with a picture of a keyboard, which is basically like a word drill. |
| (b) | Drill without a
picture of the keyboard, which is a more
demanding exercise type. You will copy the sentence shown to the small screen below. The only visual aid you get is a a highlight showing your position in the text. When you copy a word and press Space, iTutor considers the word final and no corrections can be made. If you notice a typing mistake before pressing the space bar, you can make corrections using Backspace. Words where you have made mistakes are underlined. Note: To make users focus more on typing accuracy, the course administrator can enable a setting that prevents the use of backspace to correct typing mistakes. After completing the exercise, iTutor will display typing statistics -- gross speed, accuracy, rhythm and net speed. Gross speed is the actual speed at which you typed (total keystrokes divided by standard word length (5 strokes a word). Net speed is the gross speed from which with the typing mistakes have been deducted five keystrokes = one standard word are deducted for each incorrectly typed word) . |
Paragraph drill
Paragraph drill is similar to sentence drill, but
consists of longer passages of text instead of single
sentences.
If you skip over one word in the source text, iTutor does not display an error even though this is counted as one. This is to help you keep your typing fluent. If you skip over more than one words, the word you wrote will be marked as incorrect and the program will show you where to continue with a highlight.
Bubbles game
In this typing game your task is to pop the bubbles
before they exit the screen. To pop a bubble, press the
character that is inside the bubble. Each pop gives you
points. If you press a wrong key, points will be taken
away. Red and blue bubbles are faster than the ordinary
green ones and give more points. After missing six
bubbles, the game ends.
WordTris game
This game is a variation of the classic Tetris. Instead
of trying to fit bars of different sizes and types to
form rows, you have to type the word shown in a bar and
catch it by pressing space before it hits the bottom. The
game ends when uncaught bars fill the box completely (6
bars).
4 Typing Tests
To take a typing test, click on the Typing Test button in the iTutor. The program will now open the online typing test applet. With the Applet you can take a test of your choice and see how you did.
4.1 Basic functionality
In the typing test, you will copy the text you have selected, much like in a paragraph drill. The program will count your speed and typing mistakes. During the test you can make corrections to the word you are currently typing using Backspace (unless disabled by the course administrator). Once you press the space bar, the word is considered final and no corrections can be made.
If you jump over a word during the test, iTutor will automatically jump to the correct word position. Although missing a word is considered to be an error, no error is marked to the text you are writing. This will help keep your typing fluent. If you jump over more than one word, the program will mark the typed word as incorrect and highlight the correct position in the text.
After taking the test results are shown on the screen.
The program displays gross speed, number of words with
errors, net speed and accuracy percentage.
- Gross speed is the speed at which you typed.
- Net speed is gross speed minus the number of errors.
- Accuracy percentage is the percentage of words typed
correctly.
The final test
At the end of the complete touch typing course is a final
test.
The final test is like any test that can be taken with iTutor. However, the course administrator can customize it with, for example, minimum speed and accuracy levels that need to be achieved to pass the test. The results of the final test are sent by email to the course administrator and the test taker can also choose to get a copy of the results to his/her email address (if the address was given when logging in as a new user).
4.2 Taking the test
Follow these steps to take a typing test starting from the first screen of the typing test applet (see picture above).
- Select test duration
- Select test text
- Select typing speed measurement unit (WPM=words per minute, CPM=characters per minute).
- Click 'Begin' and you will get to the actual test screen.
- On the test screen of the applet, begin to type to start the test and type until the program stops the clock. When the set time runs out, you will immediately be taken to the result screen where you can see how you did.
- On the result screen, click 'Next' to go to give your contact information to receive the results by email.
- On the personal information screen, enter your information into the fields as instructed and click 'Next'. If you leave the fields blank, results will not be sent to you.
- On the thank you screen, click 'Next' to finish. The program should now take you back to the starting page of the typing test.
If you want to retake the test, follow the steps from the beginning.
Note: Do not retake the final test as sending many result emails may block the email account of the course administrator. If you want to warm up before taking the final test, use the normal typing test features. If you feel that the final test results do not reflect your skills, you should ask the course administrator if you can take it again.
To close the Applet, click on the 'X' on the top right hand corner of the Applet and you will be taken back to the web page of iTutor.