LERSUS is an e-learning authoring tool that allows fast and easy production of learning materials for the Moodle LMS.

Lersus operates on the basis of pre-specified didactic models which define the functionality of the editor and the structure and style of the e-learning materials developed.

There is a didactic model specially developed for the production e-learning courses for Moodle. This didactic model is called easyProf and is also available for free download.

Didactic  models

The mechanism of didactic model makes it possible to separate such different tasks as content creation, design, components layout, document development, and the publication. The author is concentrated on the content development. The whole technical side is displayed in the didactic model.

Lersus didactic model defines:

 - Structure requirements

 - Function settings

 - Look and feel of the course

 - Export formats

 

Lersus didactic model helps the author to:

 - Ensure didactic and structure integrity of the tutorials

 - Determine functional and visual solutions

 - Get the format fixed

 - Change the structure, format, and design with no effect on the content

All the standard didactic models are available for download from http://www.lersus.de/content/deu/downloads/didactical-models/.

Below you will find a step-by-step guide that will help you create Lersus modules for Moodle.

LERSUS Languages

When working with LERSUS, one should distinguish among the three types of language:

• interface language
• model language
• style language (representation language)

Interface language

The interface language is used by:

• names of main menu items
• names of contextual menu items
• names of toolbars
• titles of the metadata and document structure windows

To change the interface language, do the following:

1.In the main menu, click View > Language

Select the desired language from the list of available languages

Model language

The model language is used by:

• titles of components in the document
• titles of paragraphs in the document
• titles of components on the toolbar
• titles of paragraphs on the toolbar
• titles of tabs in the document area

To change the model language, do the following:

1.      In the main menu, click View > Didactic Model Language. The following window opens

 

2.      Select one of the supported languages

3.      Click ОК

An asterix (*) marks the default language for the current model.

Check Associate with User Interface if you want the model language to change automatically when the interface language is changed.

Style language (representation language)

The style language is applied in ready learning modules after they are exported to the desired format. The style language is used by all the text that is not part of the content (e.g Themes, Tests, Info, References, Glossary, Print Version).

There can be only one style language.

Didactic Model Import

The didactic model included to Lersus installation is easyContent. To start working with the easyProf didactic model, you need to download and install this model first.

1.      Download the easyProf didactic model from http://www.lersus.de/content/deu/downloads/didactical-models/

2.      On the Extras menu, select Add/Remove LERSUS Document Model. You will see the following dialog

 

3.      To load a file, click Browse

4.      Select the folder, where the file will be imported from 

5.      Click Next. The model installation starts.

6.      The following dialog will open. If the model has been selected correctly and successfully installed, the right window will show the model itself, and the left window will show the model parameters.

 

7.      To continue installation, click Next.

If the desired model and the information on its parameters didn't appear in the dialog window, then the model was not selected correctly and was not properly installed. If any errors occured, the information about them will appear at the bottom of the dialog.

Create New Document

1.      Run LERSUS

2.      Choose File > New > DELFI Software > easyProf

3.      You will see the following dialog

 

4.      Click No to confirm that you don’t want to save the changes.

5.      Now the LERSUS window looks in the following way

 

6.      Produce the learning module using not only text but also links, tables, pictures, and animation. Make your materials descriptive and easy to learn! Use different types of tests for knowledge control, complete your course with a glossary and a list of references.

7.      Save your Lersus project

Change Didactic Model

If you already have a learning module created with LERSUS and you want it imported to Moodle, then you need to change the didactic model of the course to easyProf (if a different model was initially used).

To change the didactic model, please do the following:

1.On the Extras menu, select Change Document Model. The Select an Alternative Document Model dialog box opens.

 

2.Select the desired model – easyProf(English)

3.Click ОК

4.Go to the main menu and select Extras|Select Design. You will see the dialog window titled Select Style for Document Export.

 

5.Check the Compatible with LMS Moodle option.

6.Click ОК.

Export module

Once you export your module, Lersus will generate a package ready for import to the Moodle LMS.

To export your learning materials, please do the following:

1. On the main menu click File
2. Move to Export Module
3. Click Export HTML Module
4. You will see the dialog illustrating export progress.

When you export your learning materials to HTML, Lersus creates a package that is ready for import to the Moodle system. The file is <your_module_name>(html).zip located in the root folder of the Lersus project.