<p data-block-key="ujlsk">Creating eLearning content takes insight, time, and energy. You may be new to the role of content creation, or you may be the go-to guru for all things eLearning. But, how do you really know if your eLearning content will hit the mark and drive results <b>before</b> you publish it? To help, we’ve created a comprehensive LMS content creation checklist. How many can you tick off?</p><h2 data-block-key="c3chl">13 tips for creating engaging LMS content</h2><h3 data-block-key="5cgmg">1. Use instructional design models</h3><p data-block-key="96ibd">Instructional design models ensure your content has been considered end-to-end. Try using the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADDIE_Model" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ADDIE</a> model to work your way through the course design. By approaching your instructional design with a range of perspectives, you’ll have a future-proof process to return to. It’s also important to review your eLearning content at least once every one to two years to maintain relevance.</p><h3 data-block-key="akk8l">2. Work with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)</h3><p data-block-key="bhsge">Subject Matter Experts have a wealth of knowledge in their heads but it may not be captured on paper anywhere. Make the time to ask questions and gain deeper insight into the relevant material. To <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners%20?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=the-ultimate-lms-content-creation-checklist&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">learn more about working with SMEs</a>, check out our blog post.</p><h3 data-block-key="dfdfj">3. Create clear learning objectives</h3><p data-block-key="2sbte">Learning objectives outline the scope of learning and help learners manage their expectations. Therefore, they must be easy to read and understand. By creating clear and measurable learning objectives you can:</p><ul><li data-block-key="ad5o4">spot the gaps in existing content<br/></li><li data-block-key="3uhtb">establish what content is required.<br/></li></ul><p data-block-key="3lg04">To deliver clear learning objectives, you need to identify:</p><ol><li data-block-key="2sgo4">what your learners currently know<br/></li><li data-block-key="bj2e5">what you want them to know by the end of the course.<br/></li></ol><p data-block-key="9al1v">One way to approach <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=the-ultimate-lms-content-creation-checklist&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">learning objectives</a> is by specifying a problem you want the course to solve or to prevent entirely. Additionally, consider a timeline and an action describing the desired learning outcome, then review if they are measurable and achievable. For instance, your learners may need to be up-to-date with health and safety requirements. By the end of the course, they&#x27;ll be able to understand and identify potential hazards.</p><p data-block-key="7h6sm">Furthermore, assess how your learners can measure their progress against the learning objectives. For instance, they could use <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=the-ultimate-lms-content-creation-checklist&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">journal entries</a> or blog posts as evidence to support their progress.</p><h3 data-block-key="980uf">4. Choose LMS content types specific to your audience</h3><p data-block-key="ct9f2">Each learner-audience will be motivated by different things and have a different preference for how they digest learning, so offer a variety of content. By presenting your LMS content in a range of formats you’re catering to a diverse educational experience and providing the option for your learners to choose how to learn. For example, a video, podcast and text option. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=the-ultimate-lms-content-creation-checklist&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Microlearning</a> is also a great way to generate highly focused content in bite-sized chunks.</p><h3 data-block-key="7lui">5. Deliver inclusive content</h3><p data-block-key="d941l">How do you create eLearning content that is inclusive and representative of your learners? Begin by being aware of your own personal or subconscious biases. Then, consider the perspectives you’re presenting and if you can include additional viewpoints. You can <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=the-ultimate-lms-content-creation-checklist&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">learn more about inclusive content in our blog post.</a></p><h3 data-block-key="mmf0">6. Build in opportunities to practice skills or apply knowledge</h3><p data-block-key="6jgvj">When designing your course content, consider how your learner can confirm their understanding and stay engaged. You can test this with:</p><ul><li data-block-key="fj4uq"><b>Regular quizzes</b>. Quizzes are interactive and can quickly flag to a learner when they don&#x27;t quite understand something. When a question is incorrectly answered and provides feedback on why, the learner can learn from that mistake or review previous content.<br/></li><li data-block-key="bm3mc"><b>Branching scenarios</b> are similar to &#x27;choose your own adventure&#x27; and bring learning into real life. They provide opportunities to practice new knowledge and skills in an environment where learners can fail safely. Branching scenarios create routes through the content influenced by the learners&#x27; choices and actions, and sometimes they have consequences. For instance, you could use branching scenarios for customer escalations to test managing conflict.<br/></li><li data-block-key="ajde7"><b>Presentations on the subject matter.</b> By encouraging your learners to do presentations, they can reflect on the areas they need to brush up on and where they are already confident.<br/></li></ul><h3 data-block-key="51vkb">7. Break your SCORM into smaller pieces</h3><p data-block-key="4pi6q">If you’re using SCORM, try breaking your content into smaller groups of three to seven minutes so it’s easier to update or change things in the future. Plus, using microlearning or microlearning concepts is a way to focus content. For example, by ensuring there’s only one learning objective per section.</p><h3 data-block-key="ag683">8. Establish a quality review process</h3><p data-block-key="8jqbg">Establishing a quality review process ensures the scope of your LMS content is covered, so nothing falls through the cracks. If you have a range of people who upload content, it&#x27;s a great way to ensure you&#x27;re all following the same steps. When establishing a review process, consider what areas need examining and how often. For example, checking if:</p><ul><li data-block-key="61p00">your images have alt text<br/></li><li data-block-key="3nkbc">there are any spelling or grammar mistakes<br/></li><li data-block-key="51hcm">the videos still load<br/></li><li data-block-key="b4jqp">your content is up to date<br/></li><li data-block-key="dk4u5">your content works and completes as expected.<br/></li></ul><p data-block-key="93m4">Group tasks into sections and create a timeline for the review cycle. For instance, you may check spelling and grammar when you first draft your course, just before you publish it, and once the course is over. Or perhaps every time you add a new image, you check all visual content to ensure there&#x27;s alt text. Plus, the more you work with your content, the better your image descriptions will get.</p><h3 data-block-key="9fn78">9. Use analytics to measure the effectiveness of your eLearning content</h3><p data-block-key="5fn8s">Leverage your LMS analytics to provide insight into your learners individually, as a group and at a course level. LMSs, like <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=the-ultimate-lms-content-creation-checklist&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tōtara</a>, have dashboards where you can run regular reports. You can use analytics to track behavioural trends, such as when learners log out of a course. If there&#x27;s a section where learners drop off, consider why. For instance, if the content is too long, could it be broken down into smaller parts? Perhaps a video isn&#x27;t loading, or a question could be phrased more clearly.</p><p data-block-key="ealsi">Data-driven analytics helps you identify where learners are struggling and thriving. For example, if there are a few questions in a quiz that everyone gets right, review the content those questions are related to. Then compare that content with the content whose related questions have a lower success rate and see what insights you can gain.</p><h3 data-block-key="qs7r">10. Design assignments before course content</h3><p data-block-key="4cfqp">If you struggle to trim excess content from your course, try designing assignments before the course content. Since assignments can measure understanding, they can influence your planning of what content to include for your learners to get there. Working in this way can ensure the content:</p><ul><li data-block-key="c6f6l">ties back into what the assignments test<br/></li><li data-block-key="332r8">has a clear focus<br/></li><li data-block-key="8v838">covers all elements of the assignments.<br/></li></ul><h3 data-block-key="2fa5p">11. Maintain accessibility standards</h3><p data-block-key="1eh4b">Ideally, your LMS content should have a responsive design so learners can access their work with any device. A responsive design ensures the same learning experience regardless of device and is in line with web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG). For instance, sometimes content isn’t built for mobile use and the content gets squished to fit onto a smaller screen.</p><p data-block-key="e42a6">Familiarise yourself with the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=the-ultimate-lms-content-creation-checklist&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG guidelines</a> to deliver accessible material and <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/7-accessibility-tips-for-content-authors?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=the-ultimate-lms-content-creation-checklist&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">check the accessibility of your written content.</a></p><h3 data-block-key="dd981">12. Provide additional resources</h3><p data-block-key="78nac">If you have resources or areas that would be interesting but don&#x27;t tie into your learning objectives, include them at the end of the course as optional content. This way, the additional resources are accessible without clouding the learning objectives.</p><h3 data-block-key="ant9j">13. Partner with an LMS content provider</h3><p data-block-key="abbe0">If you’re struggling to tick off the items on our checklist or get the results you’re looking for, consider partnering with trusted LMS content providers. An LMS content provider will tick everything on this checklist and more. Plus, they’ll create relevant and impactful content for your learners. Our eLearning content providers at Catalyst are experts in instructional design and delivering content to enable your learning strategy. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=the-ultimate-lms-content-creation-checklist&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">To take your eLearning content to the next level, contact us.</a></p>

The ultimate LMS content checklist. A graphic of a checklist with the first two boxes ticked.

<p data-block-key="75sgb">How do you really know if your eLearning content will hit the mark and drive results <b>before</b> you publish it? To help, we’ve created a comprehensive LMS content creation checklist.</p>

the-ultimate-lms-content-creation-checklist

<p data-block-key="bmovj">Did you know you can actively foster learner engagement through your choice of Learning Management System (LMS) content types? In fact, your LMS content types can be pivotal to enabling learner success by directly tapping into the core of your learners&#x27; motivations. When selecting your LMS content types, consider the three ways learners become engaged in learning:</p><ol><li data-block-key="1g8bg"><b>Behavioural</b>: Actual and active participation in and commitment to learning.<br/></li><li data-block-key="aqliv"><b>Emotional</b>: Feelings about – and connections with – teachers/facilitators, peers, learning, and the learning environment.<br/></li><li data-block-key="9nobt"><b>Cognitive</b>: The mental effort and motivation that needs to be invested in learning.<br/></li></ol><h2 data-block-key="ed7cv">5 Learning Management System content types to boost learner engagement</h2><h3 data-block-key="fl347"><b>1. Gamify your LMS content with a “race against time” quiz</b></h3><p data-block-key="54bp9">If participation in your courses is dropping, consider including a “Race against time” <a href="https://docs.moodle.org/404/en/Quiz_settings#Timing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">quiz</a>, where a learner has to answer as many questions as possible within a short time. For instance, 20 quick-fire questions in five minutes. By incorporating energy-boosting content into your instructional design, you can maintain your learners&#x27; engagement. Plus, the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-learning-management-system-content-types-you-should-use-and-why&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">gamified</a> learning “race” provides an adrenaline rush and a dopamine hit, producing a happy feeling of success. The “feel good” effect can positively influence how your learners feel about their learning.</p><h3 data-block-key="2m8pv"><b>2. Provide a follow-up forum to support a webinar</b></h3><p data-block-key="apc8n">When you consider your learners’ differing needs, they feel valued, connected and appreciated, which leads to better engagement with their learning.</p><p data-block-key="a45gs">If your learners weren’t able to attend a webinar because their timezone made it impractical, they might feel excluded from the connections and conversations that arose in the live session. So, to give all learners the opportunity to participate and feel connected, provide a recording of the webinar along with a post-webinar forum. Use this post-webinar forum as a platform where learners can interact with the main speaker(s), whether in real-time or asynchronously. Additionally, you can then decide whether you will keep the forum open for further discussion, or archive forum posts and keep it as an accompanying resource.</p><h3 data-block-key="3cm0k"><b>3. Use H5P to create interactive videos</b></h3><p data-block-key="6v6vn">H5P interactive videos are a great alternative to the standard ‘view video’ completion criterion – they require learners to actively engage with the content, which helps with knowledge comprehension and application. If your learners think the videos are too long, or they seem irrelevant, use H5P to add short interactive tasks to increase interest and engagement. For example, you can require learners to:</p><ul><li data-block-key="7sehj">pause and reflect on video content<br/></li><li data-block-key="46o33">answer quiz questions<br/></li><li data-block-key="cbsdo">fill in the blanks<br/></li><li data-block-key="dg58u">place markers onto an image.<br/></li></ul><p data-block-key="4h3qv">Incorporating these interactive elements can help your learners make connections between their own experiences and the learning content.</p><p data-block-key="8qfqv">You can also use H5P interactive video to re-purpose existing content such as webinar recordings. If learners were unable to attend a live webinar session, provide a recorded video of the webinar using H5P interactive video. When learners feel included, they are more inclined to take ownership of their learning and complete achievable tasks. And any learner can use the interactive video for recap and consolidation.</p><h3 data-block-key="70v60"><b>4. Use “Adaptive mode (no penalties)” in quizzes</b></h3><p data-block-key="edtpk">Your learners may put pressure on themselves to perform well in their first attempt at a quiz. To reassure learners about their progress, you can use the quiz setting “Adaptive mode (no penalties)” in your quiz, which enables learners to make multiple attempts at each question. This setting can be configured in Moodle under “<a href="https://docs.moodle.org/404/en/Question_behaviours" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Question behaviour</a>” on the “Settings” page when creating or editing a quiz. (Also, if you choose the “Right answer” setting in “<a href="https://docs.moodle.org/404/en/Quiz_settings#Review_options" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review options</a>”, learners can see the correct answer for each question.) “Adaptive mode (no penalties)” can be used to turn a quiz from a traditional summative assessment into a teaching tool, a formative assessment, or a practice test. Learners can relax and make mistakes without feeling that they are being tracked. Plus, they’ll be more likely to try new things and be curious, and experience less test-anxiety.</p><h3 data-block-key="1rlbb"><b>5. Award Badges to recognise and reward learning</b></h3><p data-block-key="crtan">Use badges to encourage your learners to accumulate and showcase evidence of learning. Badges stay with the learner for the badge’s lifespan and can be used to display evidence of learning on external sites such as LinkedIn. One example of using badges is to recognise and capture continuing professional development (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_development" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CPD</a>) that occurred outside of your Learning Management System. To do this, a manager or teacher can assess each item of CPD and allocate points per item. After accumulating a set number of CPD points, the learner is awarded a badge. For example, they receive a badge for every 5 points and then another after completing all twenty annual CPD points. By using badges to recognise CPD, the learner feels that their experience is valued. If you use Moodle, you can <a href="https://moodle.net/resource/6AKENPNY/cpd-points" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">download a template</a> for collecting CPD points and awarding associated badges.</p><h3 data-block-key="5rdod"><b>Bonus tip - prevent “SCORM rot”</b></h3><p data-block-key="5pe11">SCORM doesn’t auto-save when it is open, so learners often get frustrated if their progress is not saved before they close the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/scorm-expert-stop-publishing-new-scorm-content?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-learning-management-system-content-types-you-should-use-and-why&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SCORM</a>. When learners don’t know that their completion hasn’t been saved, they become increasingly frustrated, especially if their allocated number of attempts is exhausted.</p><p data-block-key="ppbg">Instead of SCORM, try other core content types such as H5P or Quiz, which have frequent &quot;behind-the scenes&quot; auto-saving. With auto-saving activities, learners are able to complete modules successfully, meaning they are likely to continue learning and engaging with your LMS with minimal frustration.To learn more about SCORM rot, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-fix-scorm-rot-in-your-lms-2023?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-learning-management-system-content-types-you-should-use-and-why&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">check out our previous blog post</a>.</p><h2 data-block-key="dhg6i">Learning Management System content development</h2><p data-block-key="bq3bf">By including these 5 LMS content types as part of your instructional design you can increase learner engagement. Engaged learners commit the time and mental effort needed to be active participants because they feel that their experiences are valued and that their input matters. Why not have a go yourself at trying these content types to engage your learners?</p><p data-block-key="5qr1f">If you don’t have the in-house expertise to create engaging content types, partner with trusted eLearning experts. At Catalyst, our eLearning consultants develop rapid content to support learners&#x27; success and enable your learning strategy. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-learning-management-system-content-types-you-should-use-and-why&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Contact us</a> to learn more about our content development options.</p>

Illustration of a woman at a laptop with a large monitor screen displaying a video and icons showcasing cloud, settings, messages, search, learning and ideas

<p data-block-key="cmh64">The choice of LMS content type can influence how learners engage with their learning. Learn more in our latest blog post.</p>

5-learning-management-system-content-types-you-should-use-and-why

<p data-block-key="92zin">The Catalyst Mahara project team <a href="https://mahara.org/interaction/forum/topic.php?id=9479" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">released Mahara 24.04</a> on 26 April 2024. The new release includes improvements to make Mahara easier to use. Below, we have detailed the latest features in Mahara 24.04, otherwise, you can watch a video overview by Mahara Project Lead Kristina Hoeppner.</p><p data-block-key="1gogk"></p><div>
    <iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-BRsH20JCgs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen title="Mahara 24.04: Feature highlights"></iframe>
</div>
<p data-block-key="73ee8"></p><h2 data-block-key="bt0at">New Mahara features</h2><p data-block-key="30k6e">Some highlights of this release are the following.</p><h3 data-block-key="2ftuf">Portfolio creation</h3><ul><li data-block-key="5avub"><b>The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plugin</b> is now part of Mahara core. Essentially, this makes it easy to track and display your CPD hours in your portfolio. Plus, we&#x27;ve expanded the available options. Thank you to a number of clients in Aotearoa, New Zealand, who jointly contributed to this feature.<br/></li><li data-block-key="eo97l"><b>Retrieve deleted text</b>. Don’t worry about losing content if you accidentally delete it<b>.</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ipQu0wfevw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about retrieving deleted content in our video</a>.<br/></li><li data-block-key="5bisd"><b>Encourage deeper reflection</b> from your learners with AI. You can embed the AI reflection bot <a href="https://riffbot.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Riff</a> within Mahara to support your learners. If you’re interested in learning more about digital ethics in portfolios, check out <a href="https://aaeebl.org/digital-ethics-principles-in-eportfolios/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the AAEEBL Digital Ethics Task Force’s principles.</a><br/></li><li data-block-key="668os"><b>Quickly copy blocks</b> on a page to stay in your workflow. For example, when you set up templates for your learners or in your own portfolios as an educator.<br/></li><li data-block-key="d42h6"><b>View recently used blocks at the top of your page.</b> The change in the layout <a href="https://git.mahara.org/catalyst/mahara/-/issues/?sort=created_date&amp;state=all&amp;label_name%5B%5D=Enhancement%20%E2%9C%A8&amp;milestone_title=Mahara%2024.04.0&amp;first_page_size=100" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">issue tracker</a> saves time searching for what you want to use when creating content.<br/></li><li data-block-key="e8c2n"><b>Add multiple assessors and an extra assessment status of ‘Merit’</b> to your <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-work/mahara-feature-helps-university-to-visualise-learning-progress?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-24.04-new-features&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SmartEvidence framework</a>. Thank you to AP Hogeschool Antwerpen for funding this functionality.<br/></li></ul><h3 data-block-key="3bs7o">Other changes</h3><ul><li data-block-key="chhc"><b>Learners can report bugs to an administrator from within Mahara</b>. As the administrator, you’ll receive the full error message and can follow up with the reporter directly.<br/></li><li data-block-key="9oqql"><b>Work in dark mode.</b> The &#x27;Default&#x27; and &#x27;Raw&#x27; themes are automatically enabled to support it.<br/></li><li data-block-key="616dv"><b>Other new features are on our</b> <a href="https://git.mahara.org/catalyst/mahara/-/issues/?sort=created_date&amp;state=all&amp;label_name%5B%5D=Enhancement%20%E2%9C%A8&amp;milestone_title=Mahara%2024.04.0&amp;first_page_size=100" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">issue tracker</a>, which our subscribers can access. Plus, you can view additional documentation about the new Mahara features in the <a href="https://manual.mahara.org/en/24.04/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara manual for Mahara 24.04</a>.<br/></li></ul><h2 data-block-key="6puuv">Mahara support</h2><p data-block-key="aio96">Catalyst began development work on Mahara since the project&#x27;s inception in 2006. Since then, we have been the maintainer and primary development company for Mahara. Our Mahara experts are passionate about supporting the use of portfolios in both education and professional organisations to showcase learning achievements and growth. If you have any questions about the new release or are interested in getting Mahara support directly from the Mahara project team, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-24.04-new-features&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us</a>.</p><p data-block-key="f81kr">To keep up to date with the latest in portfolios:</p><ul><li data-block-key="d1tb5">Listen to our portfolio podcast &#x27;<a href="https://podcast.mahara.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Create. Share. Engage.</a>&#x27;</li><li data-block-key="iufp"><a href="http://eepurl.com/h_r2Rb" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe to our monthly Mahara newsletter</a>.<br/></li></ul>

<p data-block-key="hhbzz">The latest features in Mahara 24.04.</p>

mahara-24.04-new-features

<p data-block-key="6j5s9">Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst has launched a helpful plugin to load Australian Indigenous languages into Koha library systems. This plugin was developed with sponsorship by the Education Services Australia <a href="https://www.scisdata.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)</a> team.</p><h2 data-block-key="73d77">Why language matters</h2><p data-block-key="8c504">In the Māori worldview, information cannot be processed in isolation. Without context, data loses meaning, and stories are incomplete. This is also true for many other Indigenous worldviews.</p><p data-block-key="2omt8">Additionally, Indigenous peoples are not all the same. The <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-61961744" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2022 Australian census</a> recorded 167 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages used at home by nearly 80,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.</p><p data-block-key="7qv8q">Many Australian-based libraries will store and provide Australian Indigenous collections. Libraries can now catalogue an accurate language code to these records with the plugin. Enabling libraries to honour these collections by recognising their language and making them more accessible and available to the communities the information belongs to.</p><img alt="Indigenous Australian languages available in the Koha bibliographic cataloguing editor" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Indigenous_Australian_languages_available_in_t.width-500.jpg" width="500"><p data-block-key="2fhns"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><h2 data-block-key="5e4qm">The AustLang plugin</h2><p data-block-key="1r0kh">The <b>koha-plugin-austlang</b> plugin installs a new automated job that can be scheduled to:</p><ul><li data-block-key="7espg">regularly load Australian Indigenous languages (AustLang) data from an external source,</li><li data-block-key="7i69s">process the received data into language values,</li><li data-block-key="9vp4u">create or update authorised values of these languages.</li></ul><p data-block-key="bj30t">The plugin also adds an AustLang authorised value category for the new language authorised values to use.</p><h2 data-block-key="dpqmv"><b>Install, configure and use</b></h2><p data-block-key="234ga">The plugin can be downloaded from <a href="https://gitlab.com/aleishaamohia/koha-plugin-austlang" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gitlab</a>. Once your <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/koha-library-management?mtm_campaign=koha&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-use-australian-indigenous-languages-in-your-koha&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Koha</a> system administrator has switched some things on, you can upload the KPZ file in the staff interface.</p><p data-block-key="epfir">There are a few plugin settings that you can change, including the source of the data. By default, the plugin uses the <a href="https://collection.aiatsis.gov.au/datasets/austlang/001" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">dataset provided by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)</a>.</p><p data-block-key="9aprs">Your Koha system administrator will then need to run the automated job to generate the AustLang authorised values. They can also schedule this job to run daily, so updates to the data set are captured and loaded into Koha automatically.</p><p data-block-key="cdt8e">Once the languages are loaded as authorised values, it’s time to make them available to your records. Update your MARC bibliographic frameworks to use the AustLang authorised value category in the Koha Administration module. You’ll then be able to choose one of the 1,200+ Australian Indigenous languages when cataloguing records for your Koha library.<br/></p><img alt="The Indigenous Australian language is displayed to the user" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/The_Indigenous_Australian_language_is_displaye.width-500.jpg" width="500"><p data-block-key="5ahjg"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><h2 data-block-key="c8j1v"><b>Where can I get Koha support?</b></h2><p data-block-key="2b7ea">Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst cares for collections through technology. The dedicated team has hosted and maintained Koha for organisations globally for more than a decade. Additionally, they also provide support for DSpace, VuFind, and other collections technologies.</p><p data-block-key="5dk39">If you need expert support to improve, manage, or secure your Koha, contact our team today at <a href="mailto:koha-support@catalyst.net.nz">koha-support@catalyst.net.nz</a>.</p><p data-block-key="auq3a">Keep up to date with the latest events, releases, and other helpful resources from Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst by <a href="https://catalyst.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=62457ff5060d15ee3c07d3fc4&amp;id=b73fbdcac8&amp;mtm_campaign=koha&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=koha-2fa-two-factor-authentication&amp;mtm_cid=ropu-kohinga" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">subscribing to our newsletter</a>.</p>

Use Australian Indigenous languages in your Koha

<p data-block-key="jeimb">Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst have launched a helpful plugin to load Australian Indigenous languages into Koha library systems. This plugin was developed with sponsorship by the Education Services Australia <a href="https://www.scisdata.com/">Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)</a> team.</p>

how-to-use-australian-indigenous-languages-in-your-koha

<p data-block-key="ie3ly">We are pleased to say that the Samba Team released Samba 4.20 on 27 March. This is a milestone in <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/samba-and-windows-integration?mtm_campaign=samba&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=catalyst-and-samba-makes-active-directory-more-secure&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=enterprise-solutions&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Samba development</a>, given that it&#x27;s the first release to include a centralised authentication firewall.</p><h2 data-block-key="4nbnn">Samba 4.20 release</h2><p data-block-key="9jqd3">With the Samba 4.20 release, the Samba Active Directory (AD) Domain Controller can enforce which servers a user can authenticate on, regardless of how the server is configured.</p><p data-block-key="6eg7t">This key feature, known as Authentication Policies and Authentication Silos, is a critical component for modern AD network segmentation. For example, it provides a way to ensure:</p><ul><li data-block-key="3qku4">administrative access is only available on administrative computers<br/></li><li data-block-key="8gck0">sensitive servers simply cannot accept authentication from unprivileged accounts.</li></ul><p data-block-key="dqksj">Samba faithfully implements the Active Directory protocols by carefully examining network responses in an extensive test suite. A significant flaw was found during this extensive testing of the Microsoft Active Directory Kerberos implementation: the firewall could be bypassed.</p><p data-block-key="dpuhk">Catalyst developer and Samba Team member Jo Sutton discovered the issue in June 2023. Together with Andrew Bartlett, Catalyst Samba team lead and another Samba team member, they reported it confidentially to Microsoft.</p><p data-block-key="1v5rt">This week, Microsoft released a revised update for their fix for CVE-2024-21427. With the original release out for a month now and with the issues seen now addressed, Catalyst recommends all Active Directory administrators using this feature update their domains urgently.</p><h2 data-block-key="2cdb5">Do Samba users need to update due to CVE-2024-21427?</h2><p data-block-key="ag05k">Samba users can be assured they do not need to take any action. This is because Samba 4.20 is the first version with a centralised authentication firewall, and this feature was implemented securely from the outset.</p><p data-block-key="fi9e2">If you have any questions about this article, or need expert support with your Samba solution, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/contact-us?mtm_campaign=samba&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=catalyst-and-samba-makes-active-directory-more-secure&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=enterprise-solutions&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us.</a></p>

Catalyst and Samba improve security of Active DIrectory

<p data-block-key="r5den">Samba 4.20 has now been released and is the first version with a centralised authentication firewall. Learn more about the latest release and Microsoft&#x27;s fix for CVE-2024-21427 the Samba project discovered.</p>

samba-and-catalyst-make-active-directory-more-secure

<p data-block-key="3gce5">In this edition of &quot;A Day in the Life at Catalyst&quot; we meet David Malone, Creative Developer.</p><h2 data-block-key="1tjbn">What does your role involve?</h2><p data-block-key="1750m">I am a creative developer and I work in the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/website-cms?mtm_campaign=catalyst&amp;mtm_kwd=catalyst-brand-perception&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-creative-developer&amp;mtm_cid=ditl&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">content management system team (CMS)</a> at Catalyst. My role involves building large government and commercial websites coding in Silverstripe combined with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/front-end-development?mtm_campaign=catalyst&amp;mtm_kwd=catalyst-brand-perception&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-creative-developer&amp;mtm_cid=ditl&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">front-end</a> technologies. As well as working with designers, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontend_and_backend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">back-end</a> developers, project managers, business analysts, quality assurance testers and clients.</p><p data-block-key="6n545">Some of my duties include:</p><ul><li data-block-key="5rn3g">Turning Invision / Figma / Zeplin designs, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Website_wireframe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">wireframes</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_story" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">user stories</a> into functioning <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms?mtm_campaign=catalyst&amp;mtm_kwd=catalyst-brand-perception&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-creative-developer&amp;mtm_cid=ditl&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Silverstripe</a> driven websites.</li><li data-block-key="dafs6">Keeping up to date with current modern web coding standards and best practices.</li><li data-block-key="876fm">Ensuring our websites meet the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=catalyst&amp;mtm_kwd=catalyst-brand-perception&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-creative-developer&amp;mtm_cid=ditl&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG</a> and <a href="https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/design-and-ux/accessibility/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">New Zealand Government&#x27;s accessibility standards</a>.</li><li data-block-key="88b4k">Ensuring that websites look and function consistently across different web browsers.</li><li data-block-key="am8i1">Developing responsive websites that look great on mobile devices and desktops with varying screen sizes.</li><li data-block-key="b05mk">Working across multiple projects with virtual machines using Docker and Lando.</li><li data-block-key="6sd7e">Working in a team-based environment using version control systems and platforms such as (Git, Gitlab and Github).</li><li data-block-key="135je">Handling project dependencies and updates with composer and npm.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="6vaii">Tell us about a recent problem you helped solve.</h2><p data-block-key="5hn2t">After noticing a trend of commonly used components and requirements across many government websites, I founded <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-work/silverstarter-igis?mtm_campaign=catalyst&amp;mtm_kwd=catalyst-brand-perception&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-creative-developer&amp;mtm_cid=ditl&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst Starter</a>. Catalyst Starter is built with Silverstripe and is a solution for organisations to hit the ground running. With the ever-increasing government, accessibility, website requirements and tighter budgets, Catalyst Starter provides:</p><ul><li data-block-key="fap8e">more starting value for clients</li><li data-block-key="2e9al">a solid foundation</li><li data-block-key="futel">shorter development time frames</li><li data-block-key="5fb8l">a way for us to learn and build upon experience.</li></ul><p data-block-key="besft">Since its inception, with the input of many talented Catalyst teams and people, it has grown into an even greater and refined solution for our clients.</p><h2 data-block-key="fs8e">What do you enjoy about working at Catalyst?</h2><p data-block-key="d94lf">I like the teamwork approach and the company philosophy of freedom to innovate. I also like working in an industry that is both challenging and constantly changing in exciting ways. I like that we all share a combined passion for open source technology and are driven to solve tough and challenging technical problems together.</p><h2 data-block-key="2fo5f">What does your typical day look like?</h2><p data-block-key="9oi1v">I usually start the day by going to an early morning Gym or Muay Thai kickboxing class before work. After checking emails and attending any morning project Standups, I begin by looking at user stories and getting stuck into project work or issues. Sometimes, I will need to split my day between multiple projects which is made easier with the right tools. Such as Docker and Lando for quickly spinning up different local development environments that can match production as closely as possible. I also check other developers&#x27; work by peer reviewing to ensure that we maintain the best code quality and help where I can.</p><p data-block-key="8nt0g">I enjoy working at Catalyst and look forward to future challenges it brings.</p>

A day in the life of a creative developer Headshot of David Malone

<p data-block-key="v54vs">In this edition of &quot;A Day in the Life at Catalyst&quot; we meet <b>David Malone,</b> Creative Developer.</p>

a-day-in-the-life-of-a-creative-developer

<p data-block-key="5o941">In this blog post, we uncover how to identify disengaged students and how you can effectively re-engage them with EdTech.</p>

how-can-edtech-help-re-engage-disengaged-students-online

<p data-block-key="5f73p"></p><p data-block-key="6mbmh">Did you know that you can improve accessibility beyond the code and design of a website? In fact, as a content author, you can influence accessibility too by how you write and present content. In this blog post, we&#x27;ll cover how to improve accessibility in content authoring with practical advice.</p><h2 data-block-key="3rcju">7 accessibility tips for content authors</h2><p data-block-key="9jkt1">Accessible content means more people have access to the information on your website. Equally, if you are working in the public sector in New Zealand, you need to meet the Web Accessibility standard, which follows <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=7-tips-to-improve-accessibility-for-content-authors&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG guidelines.</a> These are a few easy <a href="https://wcag.com/authors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">content authoring</a> accessibility tips to get you started.</p><h3 data-block-key="2v65u">1. Write in plain language</h3><p data-block-key="1gane">Have you ever read the same sentence three times and still not understood what it meant? Not being able to understand content is frustrating. When you write plainly, your readers have to work less to get your point. For instance, the longer a sentence is, the more difficult it is to understand. Instead, aim to write short sentences and use plain language. Plain language means avoiding:</p><ul><li data-block-key="b6c24"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Understanding/unusual-words" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">slang</a></li><li data-block-key="99b12">jargon</li><li data-block-key="4tkfr">technical terms or abbreviations without introducing them</li><li data-block-key="42sud">formal language.</li></ul><p data-block-key="fa7o3">Also, you can write in an <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/active-voice" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">active voice</a> to provide clarity and to shorten your sentences. Aim for sentences of twenty words or fewer. To practice this, review your content by asking yourself the following questions:</p><ul><li data-block-key="6khf3">Does this make sense if someone is unfamiliar with my organisation or product?</li><li data-block-key="702np">Is this the best way to explain this idea?</li><li data-block-key="9bmkb">Can this be split into more than one sentence?</li><li data-block-key="27ukm">Can I say the same thing in fewer words?</li><li data-block-key="ata32">Would this be easier to understand in bullet points?</li></ul><p data-block-key="btrit">Clear writing benefits everyone, including people with low literacy, reading and cognitive disabilities or those who use assistive technology such as a screen reader or a Braille interface to consume content.</p><p data-block-key="aa0m7">Learn more about how you can <a href="https://wcag.com/uncategorized/3-1-5-reading-level/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">improve readability</a>.</p><h3 data-block-key="4hg4m">2. Use unique page titles</h3><p data-block-key="9bjem">When multiple tabs are open, can you quickly identify which tab is linked to what page? Ideally, the context should be clear instantly. You can achieve this by including the topic or purpose of the page at the start of your title to reduce cognitive load. The more unique the page title is, the easier it is to choose the right tab, especially when <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/3-easy-ways-to-improve-web-accessibility-in-koha?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=7-tips-to-improve-accessibility-for-content-authors&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">using a screen reader.</a> For example, flipping &#x27;organisation&#x27;s name - reports&#x27; to ‘reports – organisation&#x27;s name’.</p><p data-block-key="ec8tn">When relevant information isn’t at the start of the page title, it&#x27;s harder to identify the page. So when a screen reader reads the title, the user must wait until the end of each page title to know what page they’re on.</p><p data-block-key="f42u0">Learn more about <a href="https://www.digitala11y.com/understanding-sc-2-4-2-page-titled/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">naming page titles</a>.</p><h3 data-block-key="6gqss">3. Use clear and concise headings</h3><p data-block-key="bgfbi">Have you ever started reading content based on a heading only to find the content doesn’t match? Headings should tell readers what to expect on the page, so it’s frustrating when the expectation isn’t met. Your headings must be clear so readers can decide if the content is relevant without reading everything. Ensure your headings set accurate expectations by describing your content accurately.</p><p data-block-key="8hred">To test if your headings are covering the purpose of your content:</p><ul><li data-block-key="1vrg1">Try overwriting to figure out the core concept of your section.</li><li data-block-key="4jodp">Put your sections into bullet points, and check if your headings match the content.</li><li data-block-key="8cbpu">Check your headings align with the story of your content.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="9vio9">4. Follow a clear heading structure</h3><p data-block-key="3vg58">Make your web pages more accessible by using headings in the proper order rather than based on aesthetics. Following the hierarchy of H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, and H6 and using subheadings enables you to break content down into smaller sections of relevant information. The separation means users can easily navigate between sections and scan the content.</p><ul><li data-block-key="3hk2p">H1 is used to represent the main idea. H1 should only be used once for the title of a page.</li><li data-block-key="3imjp">H2 is a subsection of that idea.</li><li data-block-key="36r0q">H3 is a subsection of H2’s idea, and so on.</li></ul><p data-block-key="2tln1">Note that when using assistive technologies, wrongly ordered headings make it difficult to skim the content in a logical way.</p><p data-block-key="c5v0n">Learn more about how to <a href="https://wcag.com/authors/2-4-6-headings-and-labels/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">use headings effectively</a>.</p><h3 data-block-key="b91u3">5. Add alt text to images</h3><p data-block-key="bk6fi">Does your webpage still convey the same information with the images removed? While images can compellingly display information and concepts if a user has low vision, requires assistive technology, or has a slow internet connection, they can miss out on the content. Therefore, you need to add alt text to images and other non-textual elements on your web page to describe their contents</p><p data-block-key="blhl0">Include alt text in:</p><ul><li data-block-key="42i58">images</li><li data-block-key="73u05">video</li><li data-block-key="b50b8">audio</li><li data-block-key="f98va">buttons or links that don’t contain text</li><li data-block-key="ea8jj">content not conveyed by text.</li></ul><p data-block-key="87buf">When creating your alt text, focus on the purpose of the image/content and the information it is trying to convey rather than including every detail.</p><p data-block-key="ahol8">There are three ways you can use alt text.</p><ul><li data-block-key="4gkvc"><b>Normal images</b> (graphics, graphs)<b>:</b> Alt text should describe the image and any essential information it shares. For example, a graph&#x27;s alt text should include the data shown on the graph.</li><li data-block-key="ft1se"><b>Functional images</b> (images that are links or buttons): Alt text should not describe the image but the purpose of the link or button. For instance, ‘Share this blog on LinkedIn’ or ‘Open help modal’.</li><li data-block-key="5se3l"><b>Decorative images</b> (no functional information)<b>:</b> This is the only time not to use alt text. For example, alt=””.</li></ul><p data-block-key="clame">Learn more about <a href="https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/describe-content-images#:~:text=Alternative%20(Alt)%20Text%20is%20meant,is%20indexed%20by%20search%20engines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">writing helpful alt text.</a></p><h3 data-block-key="554vm">6. Make your links descriptive</h3><p data-block-key="91g9h">Hyperlinks are a great way to suggest related resources, download files, and share pages in web content. When skimming a page, users who use keyboard navigation or screen readers tab through the page’s elements, including the links, to get an idea of the page’s content. If a link has no context, a user must consume all the content to understand its relevance. So to aid understanding, give your links descriptive names. For example: “Elephant mourning rituals” is concise but still informative compared to “More info”.</p><p data-block-key="em83o">To improve accessibility with links, search through your content for links named ‘Click here’ or ‘Read more’. These two <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_to_action_(marketing)" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Calls to Action (CTA)</a> don’t provide context for the information or action tied to the link. When a link is descriptive, it provides information about its direction or action.</p><p data-block-key="b77au">Learn more about <a href="https://wcag.com/authors/2-4-4-link-purpose-in-context/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">naming links</a> with their purpose.</p><h3 data-block-key="bufn0">7. Provide closed captions (CC)</h3><p data-block-key="f482i">If you can&#x27;t hear the sound on a video, can you still enjoy and understand it? Most video content will have some form of auto-generated subtitles of the dialogue so you can get some idea. However, auto-generated subtitles don’t always accurately capture what is said, depending on the speaker’s accent and the algorithm used.</p><p data-block-key="1824i">You should also consider how elements such as the howling wind add to building the suspense or how laughter off-screen can lighten the scene. Subtitles alone miss the unspoken details that are woven into video content. Closed captions (CC) include both dialogue and important sounds to convey the video’s full feeling and intention. To use closed captions effectively, they must synch with the dialogue and all meaningful audio to match the delivery. Plus, closed captions can be toggled on and off so they can be used as needed.</p><p data-block-key="4ub39">Read more about <a href="https://wcag.com/authors/1-2-2-captions-prerecorded/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">closed captions</a>.</p><h2 data-block-key="dpet8">Accessibility services</h2><p data-block-key="fucl4">Creating accessible content doesn’t need to be hard or slow down your work. In fact, following accessibility guidelines improves your writing skills as it makes your content easier to understand. From here, develop a plan to include these practices in your everyday writing and make sure you review older content. As you strengthen your writing, make sure you also keep up to date with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/understanding-wcag-2-2-guidelines?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=7-tips-to-improve-accessibility-for-content-authors&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG guidelines</a> and follow accessibility champions to stay on top of new developments.</p><p data-block-key="qfia">Your accessibility journey doesn’t need to end with what you can improve as a content author. Consider an <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/accessibility-services?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=7-tips-to-improve-accessibility-for-content-authors&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">accessibility audit</a> of your website to identify other areas to improve accessibility. An audit includes a range of approaches for consuming your content, such as using a screen reader to navigate your site. At Catalyst, we provide the training, consulting, and support services you need to achieve your accessibility goals. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/Accessibility-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=7-tips-to-improve-accessibility-for-content-authors&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Contact our accessibility experts</a> today to get started.</p>

<p data-block-key="9wvlg">As a content author, you can influence accessibility by how you write and present content. Learn practical ways to improve accessibility in our blog.</p>

7-accessibility-tips-for-content-authors

<p data-block-key="c6a20">Post-pandemic education and technology have evolved to deliver learning opportunities beyond the classroom. EdTech (education technology) has removed barriers to education by offering remote learning and expanding the means of gaining knowledge. This blog post covers how we can use EdTech to support diversity and inclusion and keep people at the heart of learning.</p><h2 data-block-key="7q2an">Inclusive practices in education New Zealand (NZ)</h2><p data-block-key="8ng97">In New Zealand education, there are guiding principles used to cover what is important in the school curriculum. Below are three principles that focus on inclusion and diversity in the curriculum:</p><ol><li data-block-key="40g3o">The <a href="https://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Principles/Treaty-of-Waitangi-principle" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Treaty of Waitangi principle</a>: &quot;The curriculum acknowledges the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand. All students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga.&quot;</li><li data-block-key="16rgt">The <a href="https://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Principles/Cultural-diversity-principle" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cultural diversity principle</a>: &quot;The curriculum reflects New Zealand’s cultural diversity and values the histories and traditions of all its people.&quot;</li><li data-block-key="a4jp">The <a href="https://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Principles/Inclusion-principle" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">inclusion principle</a>: &quot;The curriculum is non-sexist, non-racist, and non-discriminatory; it ensures that students’ identities, languages, abilities, and talents are recognised and affirmed and that their learning needs are addressed.&quot;</li></ol><p data-block-key="7f66v">These principles work to recognise, respect and value differences and diversity in learners to build inclusion. When diversity is embraced, people of different identities feel comfortable to express themselves as they feel included. Diversity includes:</p><ul><li data-block-key="b967j">ethnicity</li><li data-block-key="fkpnc">gender</li><li data-block-key="6gr02">age</li><li data-block-key="9s1tk">race</li><li data-block-key="jsg2">religion</li><li data-block-key="6igmc">disability</li><li data-block-key="71vdi">sexual orientation.</li></ul><p data-block-key="1p0it">By following and practising these principles and celebrating diversity and inclusion in learning environments, learners are more likely to:</p><ul><li data-block-key="frtvg">feel accepted</li><li data-block-key="k27t">establish positive relationships with peers and educators</li><li data-block-key="6jc7d">become active and visible participators</li><li data-block-key="4nrp7">have increased empathy and understanding of different perspectives.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="911lf">10 ways to improve your course content</h2><h3 data-block-key="8s7ji">1. Follow the Universal Design for Learning (UDL)</h3><p data-block-key="84oa7">The <a href="https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UDL framework</a> is an inclusionary practice to reduce barriers to learning. <a href="https://inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/universal-design-for-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UDL</a> focuses on:</p><ul><li data-block-key="832ft"><b>Multiple means of representation:</b> providing more than one way to present and acquire information. Take the time to connect with your learners and consider what options work best for them. For example, you could provide a video with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/7-accessibility-tips-for-content-authors?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">closed captions</a> and a transcription underneath. By giving your learners options, they have ownership over their own learning journeys and can learn in the ways that best suit them.</li><li data-block-key="4tohu"><b>Multiple means of expression:</b> providing learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know. Be flexible with your approaches and enable your learners to be creative.</li><li data-block-key="8548i"><b>Multiple means of engagement:</b> tap into learners&#x27; interests and provide the right amount of challenge and motivation to support their learning.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="f376o">2. Be aware of your own biases</h3><p data-block-key="2ark3">Becoming aware of biases, subconscious or otherwise, enables you to work towards inclusive practices. Consider your core beliefs and values and ask yourself if they affect how you interact with people. Do you have negative assumptions about certain groups of people, and if so, do you treat those people differently from others? Reflect on how biases can be expressed in multiple ways, including discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping. For instance, assuming someone of a specific ethnicity is fluent in a language or customs associated with that ethnicity. </p><p data-block-key="3d28g">Critically approaching your thoughts enables you to improve your behaviour in future. Take the time to reflect and make changes to be more inclusive. Using a portfolio platform like <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a> is a great place to keep track of your reflections and encourage your learners to do the same. Discover how <a href="https://podcast.mahara.org/2018360/14656054-debra-hoven-the-value-of-self-reflection-and-peer-feedback" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reflection</a> can broaden how your learners interact with their work and learn about the <a href="https://podcast.mahara.org/2018360/12151270-christine-slade-and-kevin-kelly-digital-ethics-principle-deibd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DEIBD (diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and decolonisation)</a> principle in practice.  </p><h3 data-block-key="ar47q">3. Incorporate diverse perspectives and voices</h3><p data-block-key="cji57">Rose Lu, a Chinese New Zealand author, <a href="https://www.pantograph-punch.com/posts/all-who-live-on-islands" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">thought it was a writing convention that characters had blonde hair and blue eyes.</a> Consider what you’re portraying with the examples you give your learners. Are your images representative of your audience? Do they perpetuate stereotypes?</p><p data-block-key="d17jv">Continue to reflect on your own biases when designing and building your course content. Are you offering a range of perspectives that will resonate with your learners, or just favouring one perspective? When learners don’t see people like themselves represented in course materials they can feel invisible, but if they’re represented positively, this can combat negative self beliefs.</p><p data-block-key="3hbue">With this in mind, review if you’re favouring one gender over another. When using people as examples, how many times have you used he compared to she? Is there a pattern or stereotype being reinforced with what sort of role or skill the person has? Better yet, if you use gender neutral pronouns (they/them) whenever possible, you’re including everyone.</p><h3 data-block-key="4f1t">4. Create accessible content</h3><p data-block-key="77qpu">Course content should be available to all learners regardless of their circumstances. If you’re unfamiliar with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG check out our blog post.</a> Review your tools to ensure your EdTech is compatible with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-people-with-disabilities-use-the-web?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">assistive technology</a> such as screen readers. Additionally, be aware of the capabilities and limitations of your technology and if it can support diverse needs. If there are accessibility gaps, are there plugins to fix them? For instance, <a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/report_allylti" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle LMS has a plugin</a> that provides a detailed overview of the accessibility performance per course.</p><p data-block-key="5aka">The next time you’re building or <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">updating LMS course content</a> keep accessibility at the forefront of your mind and:</p><ul><li data-block-key="3p13s">check how to <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/7-accessibility-tips-for-content-authors?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">improve readability</a></li><li data-block-key="2a44t">use tables rather than images of tables</li><li data-block-key="e97tm">turn long text blocks into shorter books or H5P.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="fboq0">5. Provide mobile-friendly options</h3><p data-block-key="bco5g">Some learners may not have regular access to a computer or laptop: for example, they may share a device with their household or use a library’s device. Due to the <a href="https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024-new-zealand" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">high number of mobile users in New Zealand</a>, it&#x27;s more likely your learners will have access to a mobile phone. Therefore, ensure your course content works well on mobiles if it’s not built mobile-first. For instance, LMS like <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle</a>, have a mobile app that makes accessing a course on a mobile easier.</p><p data-block-key="obtg">To improve your course content for a mobile experience, you can:</p><ul><li data-block-key="5e2or">reduce, crop or remove large images</li><li data-block-key="7fdl6">offer <a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/mod_offlinequiz" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">quizzes with offline attempts</a> in an LMS</li><li data-block-key="2p451">use books and <a href="https://h5p.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">H5P</a> instead of pages and files.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="bgea3">6. Offer offline access to course content</h3><p data-block-key="9pp7g">Providing offline access to course content makes it easier for learners to complete work, even if they have no data, or they have limited internet access or a poor internet connection. To support offline access, provide downloadable content and offline quizzes when possible.</p><h3 data-block-key="1vds4">7. Provide access to learning progress</h3><p data-block-key="9uk5j">It helps learners if they have an easy way to check their progress. If you use an LMS like <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tōtara</a>, you can set up a <a href="https://totara.help/18/docs/assign-a-learning-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">learning plan</a> for each learner to view on their profile. Alternatively, your learners can use <a href="https://totara.help/15/docs/what-is-the-record-of-learning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a &#x27;Record of Learning&#x27;</a> to display all learning, including evidence, competencies, objectives and programs, and certifications.</p><p data-block-key="6qisg">Additionally, if you use Moodle, you can use plugins such as &#x27;<a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/block_completion_progress" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Block completion progress</a>&#x27; or &#x27;<a href="https://docs.moodle.org/403/en/Course_completion" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Course completion</a>&#x27; to show learners’ progress visually. As an educator, you&#x27;ll have a dashboard overview of all learners.</p><p data-block-key="6rm4e">If you use Mahara for reflection, you can use <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/mahara-smartevidence-competency-frameworks-at-a-glance?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SmartEvidence</a> to track progress against competencies. SmartEvidence visually displays competency frameworks, so learners can have an overview of their progress.</p><h3 data-block-key="1qe4p">8. Offer flexible learning paths</h3><p data-block-key="78bh8">People all think and learn differently. Providing flexible ways to work through a course means learners can revisit concepts and go at their own pace. Each learner will approach a course with different levels of understanding and experience, so a single learning path won’t always suit everyone. You could begin a course with an assessment and use the results to suggest paths for your learners. Providing different paths means learners have more control of their learning journey, and can still achieve the same learning outcomes. Plus, if you display learning content in multiple ways, learners can use the method that suits them.</p><h3 data-block-key="7si2u">9. Support multilingual options</h3><p data-block-key="f17hr">By having a deep understanding of your learners and learning objectives, you can decide on suitable approaches for delivering content. When appropriate, provide your learners with multilingual options for course content, so they can choose what language they want to work in. Within Moodle, you can set up a <a href="https://docs.moodle.org/403/en/Multi-language_content_filter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">‘Multi-language content filter’</a> to create courses in multiple languages. Plus, <a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/index.php/?q=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle has a range of plugins</a> you can try if the content filter doesn’t support the desired translation.</p><h3 data-block-key="j7k6">10. Provide visible support</h3><p data-block-key="b15rl">Supporting material should always be visible to learners. Make sure there are pages with:</p><ul><li data-block-key="76upa">a list of the wellbeing services your organisation provides</li><li data-block-key="coig4">FAQs for both course content and the technical side of your tool</li><li data-block-key="6cm8d">a process and pathway to report inappropriate behaviour.</li></ul><p data-block-key="6r7db">Set up a forum for each course to encourage support, peer learning, and the inclusion of learners. Ensure they know this is a learner-only place to discuss course-related topics and to ask for help. To manage the interactions, set up a code of conduct that learners sign before starting courses and give a class representative the permission needed to manage the forums.</p><p data-block-key="iqcs">You can also <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/10-moodle-plugins-you-need-to-use?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">utilise plugins</a> to set up reminders for learners when assignments are due to help with time management.</p><h2 data-block-key="ebh9c">Content development support</h2><p data-block-key="ec6bd">Ultimately, EdTech can aid you in creating accessible and inclusive materials. However, without humans establishing unbiased frameworks and challenging their own (sub)conscious biases, bias will creep into the frameworks. That’s why creating course content isn’t just about loading text into an LMS but knowing what content type is the most effective to deliver content. If you need help with your course design, Catalyst’s experienced instructional designers can craft content tailored just for you. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Contact us today.</a></p><p data-block-key="68elo"></p>

How does EdTech strengthen diversity and inclusion

<p data-block-key="xnkm5">This blog post covers how we can use EdTech to support diversity and inclusion and keep people at the heart of learning.</p>

how-does-edtech-strengthen-diversity-and-inclusion

<p data-block-key="io5hn">Gamification brings forth opportunities to make learning more enjoyable and memorable. By tapping into instant gratification, gamification provides a sense of reward and value that the content otherwise may not deliver. So if you’re finding your learners are disengaged, gamification could be your solution to bringing back excitement and engagement with the content. In this blog post, we&#x27;ll cover gamification and how you can use it in eLearning to support your learners.</p><h2 data-block-key="alpsf">What is gamification?</h2><p data-block-key="8tfuu"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamification" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gamification</a> adds game-like elements such as point scoring, competition, and badges to non-game environments to increase participation, motivation, and engagement. Game-like elements increase the enjoyment of the task by tapping into intrinsic motivations. For example:</p><ul><li data-block-key="bdpf5">challenges</li><li data-block-key="5g6cd">competition</li><li data-block-key="9e07p">feedback</li><li data-block-key="4e03h">resource acquisition</li><li data-block-key="15q4n">rewards</li><li data-block-key="2s146">winning.</li></ul><p data-block-key="eghth">In fact, gamification is used in many areas of life, so you may have already encountered it without realising. Below are some examples of gamification:</p><ul><li data-block-key="7e7u7"><b>Fitness watches:</b> When using a fitness watch to record your step count, there is a reward once the goal is achieved. So you get satisfaction from reaching your step goal and recognition through a badge.</li><li data-block-key="bvnvi"><b>Habit tracking apps:</b> These apps give you a place to record your new habits, and there is a strong incentive to keep adding to your winning streak by sticking to the habit.</li><li data-block-key="a4feu"><b>Loyalty cards:</b> For instance, your local coffee shop might offer a free coffee for every ten coffees you buy. Knowing you&#x27;re working towards a reward adds more of an incentive, as with each purchase, you’re a step closer to your free coffee.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="cleah"><b>What is gamification in eLearning?</b></h2><p data-block-key="e0o7t"></p><img alt="Example of a progress board and a badge received from completing a to-do list" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Example_of_a_progress_board_and_a_badge_.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="1dq4r"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><p data-block-key="dotpl">Gamification in eLearning transforms traditional methods of learning into engaging experiences. The gamified elements provide <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to&amp;mtm_cid=how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">attainable goals</a> for learners to reach for and a fun experience to help motivate them. Gamification has clear and achievable goals, and dopamine is released in response to accomplishing each goal. <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dopamine#:~:text=Dopamine%20acts%20on%20areas%20of,movement%20and%20other%20body%20functions." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dopamine</a> is a chemical messenger that acts on areas in the brain to produce feelings of pleasure, satisfaction and motivation. Game-like elements can make learning more immersive and increase participation by tapping into learners’ competitive spirit.</p><p data-block-key="232cn">You can incorporate gamified elements into your Learning Management System (LMS) content in several ways:</p><ul><li data-block-key="4lbca"><b>Points</b> show progression or improvement. You can customise how these work for your learners. For example, you can set up a framework for getting points if questions are answered or tasks are completed correctly.</li><li data-block-key="9l0kc"><b>Prizes</b> can be given for accomplishing different tasks, such as adding the most glossary entries.</li><li data-block-key="232ar"><b>Badges</b> are similar to prizes and are symbols for showcasing achievement. For instance, completing a certain area of a course.</li><li data-block-key="24agc"><b>Leaderboards</b> can be tailored to whatever competency you wish to reflect. For example, you can use a leaderboard to rank experience or show the best performers for the week.</li><li data-block-key="ett02"><b>Feedback</b> can be visual to show learners their progression. For instance, using a progress bar to show how much of the course content they’ve covered.</li><li data-block-key="12i2a"><b>Teamwork</b> can build interpersonal connections between your learners as they work to achieve a common goal. It can also tie into a leaderboard and prizes.</li></ul><p data-block-key="c0h1u">Receiving recognition in gamified LMS content provides learners with a record of their learning and a sense of achievement. Plus, as an educator, you have a quick overview of their course progress.</p><h2 data-block-key="ciaqd">How do I add gamification to my eLearning?</h2><p data-block-key="e05mr"></p><img alt="Gamified content - a display of a leaderboard and a pop up saying &amp;#x27;nice work! You&amp;#x27;ve earned 80 points!" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Gamified_content_-_a_display_of_a_leaderboard_.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="665ke"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><h3 data-block-key="28agi">1. Understand your course objectives</h3><p data-block-key="daon">There are many ways you can incorporate gamification into your eLearning content. The first step to successful gamification is to identify your course learning objectives. Starting with learning objectives means there is a clear direction for the course content. For example, you may want to boost engagement and interactions from your learners. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to&amp;mtm_cid=how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Take the time to understand your learners</a> and consider what approaches would be the most effective for them. Does competition motivate your learners? What other elements of gamification might best suit them? For instance, if you’re using points, what would the points track? Then, consider how gamifying your LMS content will enhance the experience and achieve your learning objectives.</p><h3 data-block-key="du2b2">2. Start small</h3><p data-block-key="dm1v4">As you introduce gamified elements to your LMS software, start small and test what works for your learners. You could begin by trying out points to see if they’re having the desired effect on learning. Don’t introduce too many new elements at once, as this can make it difficult to determine the effects of gamification. Instead, focus on a balance of gamified LMS content and non-gamified elements, so it’s easier to identify which factors are contributing to trends.</p><h3 data-block-key="86s3n">3. Partner for support if needed</h3><p data-block-key="8n2de">It can take time to understand what works best for your learners, and if you don’t have the in-house expertise, you can partner with an <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experienced instructional designer.</a></p><h2 data-block-key="273s2">How can the success of gamified LMS content be measured?</h2><p data-block-key="6lm4t">Begin by setting up metrics in your LMS software and tapping into your <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to&amp;mtm_cid=how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LMS analytics</a>. There are a few ways you can review if your gamified elements are working.</p><h3 data-block-key="61ub9"><b>Use quizzes to confirm understanding</b></h3><p data-block-key="ds8k7">You can choose how often you’d like the quizzes to run ‑ they could be random, at the end of each day or at the end of each course.</p><h3 data-block-key="6mmqf"><b>Review questions at a granular level</b></h3><p data-block-key="2ivbe">Some LMSs such as <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to&amp;mtm_cid=how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle</a> and <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to&amp;mtm_cid=how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tōtara</a> have the option to use the ‘response history’ to identify trends of where learners are getting stuck or are spending more time on particular questions. If you’re seeing a pattern, it might suggest that a different approach is needed for that content.</p><h3 data-block-key="bb1p7"><b>Compare the results to when you’ve run the course without gamified content</b></h3><p data-block-key="36iau">In <a href="https://docs.moodle.org/403/en/Activity_results_block" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle</a> and <a href="https://totara.help/docs/activity-results-block?highlight=activity%20results%20block" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tōtara</a>, you can use the ‘Activity results block’ to review the top grades for your gamified course. Then run the report on a previous version of the course to see if the results differ.. You can also run an ‘Activity report’ for each course to compare the difference in views. Higher views could suggest <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to&amp;mtm_cid=how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">stronger engagement with the content</a>.</p><h3 data-block-key="6rrsa"><b>Review participation rates</b></h3><p data-block-key="9ub9j">In Tōtara you can use <a href="https://totara.help/16/docs/participation-reporting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">‘participation reporting’</a> and in Moodle the <a href="https://docs.moodle.org/403/en/Participation_report" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">‘participation report’</a> to identify which learners are completing which activities.</p><h3 data-block-key="1sg6v"><b>Observe results</b></h3><p data-block-key="efh42">Are you seeing your learners apply what they’ve learnt from the gamified content in other courses? Have grades or results changed for individual learners? If you’re seeing increased engagement but results are stagnant or dropping, there could be too big of a focus on the game elements.</p><h3 data-block-key="ailnm"><b>Get feedback from your learners</b></h3><p data-block-key="agshm">Gamified content isn’t going to work for everyone, especially if competition doesn’t motivate them. So get feedback from your learners to understand what&#x27;s working for them individually. You can do this through surveys and individual or group conversations. If gamified elements aren&#x27;t working for everyone, you can offer course content in other formats to suit their needs.</p><h3 data-block-key="btvcf">Discuss outcomes with your staff or managers</h3><p data-block-key="6hi5j">You won’t necessarily have insight into how your learners are using what they’ve learned. So check with your fellow staff or your learners’ managers to see what changes they’ve noticed. Engaging with your colleagues can help you understand the retention of new learning and how it is applied.</p><h2 data-block-key="adnsf">Where can I get eLearning content development support?</h2><p data-block-key="ev1mv">When developing gamified LMS content, remember to tie everything back to your learners and your learning objectives to set them up for success. If you don’t have the resources or the in-house expertise to explore gamification in eLearning, the experts at Catalyst can help. At Catalyst, our instructional designers work to understand your learners’ unique needs and enhance their learning experience. Our team will work to find the best solution for your learners, from gamified content to microlearning to video-based learning, and more. To learn more about our LMS content development services, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/general-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to&amp;mtm_cid=how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us today.</a></p>

<p data-block-key="yckki">If you’re finding your learners are disengaged, gamification could be your solution to bringing back excitement and engagement with the content. In this blog post, we&#x27;ll cover gamification and how you can use it in eLearning to support your learners.</p>

how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning

<p data-block-key="s6ks4">Have you ever been excited about a new course you created, only for the analysis to show it didn’t resonate with your learners? Perhaps you’re not seeing your learners put what they’ve learned into practice. There are many reasons course content might fall flatter than expected. That’s why in this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of the common LMS content mistakes and how to fix them.</p><h2 data-block-key="bhgs2">10 common LMS content mistakes</h2><h3 data-block-key="a6c3d">1. Not knowing your audience</h3><p data-block-key="87aoe">Knowing your audience is more than knowing their name, age, experience, and education. It’s also about knowing what makes them tick. By taking the time to understand your audience, you can figure out what:</p><ul><li data-block-key="hi86">motivates your learners</li><li data-block-key="7u990">gets them excited to learn</li><li data-block-key="lim6">drains them and could pose a barrier to learning</li><li data-block-key="f547d">accessibility considerations are needed.</li></ul><p data-block-key="66nsk">Understanding these core areas enables you to present course content using effective strategies and tools. As we highlighted in our <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">previous blog post</a>, great content, at its core, should focus on your learners – check it out to learn more about putting your learner at the heart of your course.</p><h3 data-block-key="ka2q">2. Ineffective learning objectives</h3><p data-block-key="5l9q3">If you asked your learners what the point of a course was, they should be able to articulate it – and this should reflect the learning objectives you set when designing the course. As instructional designers, when you’re familiar with your organisation and the content, ensure you review the clarity of your learning objectives. Learning objectives are critical for creating an engaging and focused learning environment – they provide learners with an understanding of the value of the course.</p><p data-block-key="7a4h4">Good learning objectives must be concise and measurable. You can use frameworks such as <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/elevate-goal-setting-with-edtech?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SMART goals</a> (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) or <a href="https://www.mindtools.com/acqerdm/abcd-learning-objectives-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the ABCD Model</a> to set yours. In general, a good rule of thumb is two to four learning objectives for every 30 minutes of eLearning.</p><h3 data-block-key="8fkhn">3. Not adapting course length to the content</h3><p data-block-key="8bl2e">Where there is a lot of content to cover in a course, it can be tempting to include every element. However, this makes it hard for learners to identify the key learning points and can result in ineffective learning. Take the time to identify and trim courses to the core content - this focus should strengthen the content you’re delivering.</p><p data-block-key="4v2e4">If you’re still struggling to trim your content back, consider looking at it with a nice-to-know filter. You can also provide links at the end for learners to choose to read versus being part of the core content if it sits in the ‘nice to know’ filter. If you’re unsure of where to start, keep asking yourself ‘What does a learner need to know on day one to be effective in this area’?</p><p data-block-key="2f3ej">Microlearning is also a great way to maintain focus on the core topic areas. It is an LMS content methodology that succinctly covers a specific topic area and provides value in small bite-sized lessons. Learn more about microlearning versus traditional eLearning in <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this blog post.</a></p><h3 data-block-key="6qhgp">4. Readability issues</h3><p data-block-key="77qh3">Not every learner knows if they&#x27;re having trouble reading content or, they may even internalise the struggle without asking for help. To support learners proactively, consider the readability and typography of fonts used in course content.</p><p data-block-key="us74">Typography covers the placement of the letters, including the gaps between them. Some font typography can also impact readability. For example, a crowded and cursive font can make it harder for those with dyslexia to read. Familiarise yourself with <a href="https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/employers/creating-a-dyslexia-friendly-workplace/dyslexia-friendly-style-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">dyslexia-friendly</a> fonts and improve readability for everyone.</p><p data-block-key="8lie8">Sentence length can also make a huge difference in readability. Try to keep sentences under 20 words. Consider rewording, condensing complex sentences, or splitting them into a few sentences.</p><p data-block-key="9edkr">Another readability consideration is font size. Font size can impact learners with low vision, a visual impairment, or even someone with a cracked screen. To improve readability, have a consistent text layout. For example, if your text is left-hand aligned, follow the same styling and layout for each section. Learn more about <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/7-accessibility-tips-for-content-authors?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">improving readability</a>.</p><h3 data-block-key="1m0if">5. Poor navigation</h3><p data-block-key="chvb7">Unclear navigation or structure in a course takes the learner out of their workflow and creates a frustration point. Your learner shouldn&#x27;t be trying to figure out how to take a quiz, find the next page, or submit an answer. So, combat this with clear and consistent phrasing and formatting around navigational cues so navigating is intuitive. For example, &#x27;Start quiz&#x27;, &#x27;Next question&#x27;, or &#x27;Back&#x27;. Additionally, to reduce cognitive load, ensure your course content has consistent placement of navigation links. For instance, if you establish the pattern of &#x27;Next question&#x27; always being on the bottom right-hand side of the page.</p><h3 data-block-key="7nuj6">6. Not focusing on accessibility</h3><p data-block-key="a53i">Each learner should have equal access to the same information. We&#x27;ve already touched on some aspects that improve accessibility, such as typography, sentence length, and decreasing cognitive load. But, there are plenty of other ways to easily make your content more accessible. Start by getting familiar with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG</a> and ensuring the proper labels are used in HTML to be compatible with assistive technologies.</p><p data-block-key="91bd5">You can also consider partnering with an <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/accessibility-services?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Accessibility Specialist</a> if you don&#x27;t have the in-house expertise to provide guidance on creating accessible content.</p><h3 data-block-key="3s0p2">7. Rigid course progression</h3><p data-block-key="buhqd">We all learn at our own pace, and there will be concepts some learners pick up faster than others. So, when a learner’s course progress is limited to a linear structure, it also limits them from being able to pause, revisit, and reflect on concepts as they build their understanding. Learners need the flexibility to review and progress content as needed - to own their learning journey.</p><p data-block-key="c5dqi">If you&#x27;re concerned about learners skipping ahead or finding the answers, incorporate assessments or quizzes – these can help learners demonstrate their understanding of key concepts before advancing.</p><h3 data-block-key="6uj5e">8. Not proofing content</h3><p data-block-key="94ou1">If your learners aren&#x27;t engaging with your content, review what you have with a fresh perspective. Are there broken links or spelling mistakes? Areas where the content doesn&#x27;t make sense? When there&#x27;s time pressure to push content out, it can be tempting to skip a final proofread. However, when learners encounter inconsistencies or errors, it can be distracting.</p><p data-block-key="cg3hi">When editing or creating LMS content, implement a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_assurance" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Quality Assurance (QA)</a> process so details aren&#x27;t missed. If you don&#x27;t have the resources for QA, ensure you set aside time to check links work and get someone else to review your content. When new content is added to a course, set aside time to test it before it goes live.</p><h3 data-block-key="eejif">9. Not testing your courses</h3><p data-block-key="21rrt">Testing your course is key to identifying common LMS content mistakes. One option is to ask a small group to complete the course without prior knowledge of your methodology. Essentially, if they can easily navigate and complete your course, you’re probably on the right track. Equally, ask them for direct feedback. Feedback will help you gain insight into where the gaps are and what is working.</p><p data-block-key="9kn4t">There are some manual ways you can test your content before testing it on others, including:</p><ul><li data-block-key="di2q0">check that the course works</li><li data-block-key="ff471">review who can access the course</li><li data-block-key="b2ll9">confirm the eLearning module launches</li><li data-block-key="8fpkd">check the links work</li><li data-block-key="cq2ni">confirm videos load correctly.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="37l7k">10. Always doing what you have always done</h3><p data-block-key="4k0tp">ELearning is always evolving, so it’s important to be on top of <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">current trends</a>, tools, and approaches to eLearning content. You don’t have to action every trend or tool to best support your learners but also don’t get stuck in tradition. Consider how you can use tools to automate your work, so you can focus on developing your content. Does your LMS have built-in AI capabilities you can utilise? Perhaps there are new LMS content types you’re unaware of. If you don’t already, take the time to read blogs from your LMS provider to be across updates.</p><h2 data-block-key="1gca0">LMS content support</h2><p data-block-key="7rpmr">When reviewing what your LMS should contain, focus on your foundations. Start small and check what the low-hanging fruit is. What could you implement in an afternoon? Once you have a few quick wins under your belt, plan out how you&#x27;ll tackle larger opportunities. If you don’t have the resources to fine-tune your content, work with a proven LMS partner who can bring your content to the next level. At Catalyst, our instructional designers work alongside you to understand your learners and their needs to deliver tailored content that facilitates learner success. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/general-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Contact our team today</a> to learn more about content development for your LMS.</p>

<p data-block-key="7lax7">In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of the common LMS content mistakes and how to fix them.</p>

10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them

<p data-block-key="npnz4">Using the Koha patron emailer, your library can now create custom notices for emailing your library patrons. In this blog post, Rōpū kohinga senior developer Alex Buckley covers two patron emailer implementation options and advises how to choose the right one for your library.</p><h2 data-block-key="eld62">What are the benefits of custom notices?</h2><p data-block-key="b3939">Custom notices keep your patrons and community connected with library activities. By providing custom notices for your library you can:</p><ul><li data-block-key="cn9je">showcase exciting changes to your catalogue. For example, a monthly email listing all new resources added in the last 4 weeks.</li><li data-block-key="4chgi">share important library news with your patrons Such as, upcoming events.</li><li data-block-key="aeft2">provide helpful reminders for patrons. For example, a monthly email reminding patrons whose Koha accounts are about to expire, to return their checkouts and recalls.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="9dv7o">How to implement patron emailer using cronjob</h2><p data-block-key="1oem0">In Koha 19.05, the Koha community added the patron_emailer.pl cronjob. A cronjob is an automated script that can be scheduled to run at any specified date and time. This cronjob does the work of automatically generating and sending out custom notices.</p><p data-block-key="7ic6a">The setup process for the patron emailer cronjob is fairly straightforward. It is mostly configurable by librarians in the Koha staff client:</p><ol><li data-block-key="d0o15">Create a SQL report.</li><li data-block-key="86moh">Create a custom notice.</li><li data-block-key="85hd">Request your Koha support vendor to schedule the cronjob.</li></ol><h3 data-block-key="as9u8">1. Create a SQL report</h3><p data-block-key="1arck">This SQL report fetches two pieces of information:</p><ul><li data-block-key="a5lj1">A list of Koha patrons to send the custom notice to.</li><li data-block-key="3tdk3">Data to populate your custom notice.</li></ul><p data-block-key="6d7ca">At a minimum, this SQL report must query the borrowers database table. That way, a list of Koha patrons is returned. Without it, Koha won’t know who to email.</p><p data-block-key="1huia">The following is an example of an SQL report that fetches Staff patron accounts expiring within the next month:</p><p data-block-key="cq25m"><i>SELECT cardnumber, email, firstname, surname, categorycode, dateexpiry</i></p><p data-block-key="8atlu"><i>FROM borrowers</i></p><p data-block-key="a7gea"><i>WHERE categorycode = “S”</i></p><p data-block-key="1s5ul"><i>AND dateexpiry BETWEEN curdate() and date_add(curdate(), interval 1 month)</i></p><p data-block-key="12pb7"><b>NOTE</b>: The inclusion of the WHERE clause at the end of the SQL report is important as it limits which patrons are returned by the SQL report. Excluding a WHERE clause from your SQL report means every Koha patron will be returned. Consequently, every Koha patron would be emailed your custom notice. Often that is not a library’s intended outcome!</p><img alt="A Koha SQL report with the name ‘Staff patron accounts expiring this month’" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/A_Koha_SQL_report_with_the_name_Staff_patron_a.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="3qrc4"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><h3 data-block-key="2mlmb">2. Create a custom notice</h3><p data-block-key="9vke8">Koha comes with many out-of-the-box default notices. They are configurable by librarians in the Notices and Slips tool. You can also use this tool to create entirely new custom notices.</p><p data-block-key="fvnme">Koha notices can include database field names surrounded by tags as variables, like &lt;&lt; cardnumber &gt;&gt;. That is then substituted with an actual patron cardnumber when the notice is generated. In most notices, these data variables are written surrounded by &lt;&lt; &gt;&gt; tags (crocodile teeth syntax).</p><p data-block-key="791eb">It’s important that any data variables included in your custom notice also exist in your SQL report. The example below has two variables [% firstname %] and [% surname %]. Compare that to the SQL report example from Step 1. You can see we are selecting firstname and surname in the report too. That is good – the SQL report is providing the data used by the custom notice.</p><h4 data-block-key="2f3nq">Syntax for custom notices</h4><p data-block-key="1du8i">Custom notices do not use the crocodile teeth syntax. Instead, they use a different syntax called template toolkit. The template toolkit surrounds variables with [% %] tags. For example, [% cardnumber %].</p><p data-block-key="dfeaq">Template toolkit is very flexible. Using it you can add different content to be displayed based on different conditions being true. For example, you can choose to include different notice text for different patron categories, like so:</p><p data-block-key="1til2"><i>[% IF categorycode == &quot;PG&quot; %]</i></p><p data-block-key="cf6kk"><i>This text will be displayed to PG patrons only.</i></p><p data-block-key="1tmki"><i>[% ELSIF categorycode == &quot;UG&quot; %]</i></p><p data-block-key="8nut7"><i>This text will be displayed to UG patrons only.</i></p><p data-block-key="2g6qa"><i>[% END %]</i></p><p data-block-key="ekst1">Below is an example of a custom notice:</p><p data-block-key="bim9d"><i>Hi [% firstname %] [% surname %],</i></p><p data-block-key="82c2g"><i>Your staff account is expiring this month.</i></p><p data-block-key="7okn6"><i>Can you please do the following before the end of the month:</i></p><ol><li data-block-key="dkn1u"><i>Return your checked out items to the library</i></li><li data-block-key="dlae7"><i>Return recalled items</i></li></ol><p data-block-key="49f9f"><i>Thanks,</i></p><p data-block-key="1naus"><i>The library team.</i></p><img alt="The Notices and Slips tool page for a custom notice named ‘Staff accounts expiring this month’. Notice content is defined in the email tab." class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/The_Notices_and_Slips_tool_page_for_a_custom_n.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="59l1n"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><h3 data-block-key="3qet7">3. Schedule the patron emailer cronjob</h3><p data-block-key="34d0i">This step requires a bit of help from your Koha support provider or someone who has access to your Koha server. You must request they schedule the patron emailer cronjob to run at a regular interval of your choosing. The cronjob generates the custom notices. Without this step, no notices will be sent.</p><p data-block-key="asi7c">Ensure you provide your Koha support vendor or person with the following information. That way they know how you would like the cronjob set up:</p><ul><li data-block-key="ebtht">Koha SQL report ID.</li><li data-block-key="fjo9u">Koha notice code.</li><li data-block-key="4tt47">Koha notice module name.</li><li data-block-key="78dt8">Date and time you want the patron emailer notices to be sent. For instance, the first day of every month at 6 am.</li><li data-block-key="28g4l">What &#x27;from&#x27; email address to configure.<br/></li></ul><h2 data-block-key="bmm69">How to implement the patron emailer with the plugin</h2><p data-block-key="abj59">A Koha plugin is functionality librarians can install on their Koha instance. Plugins provide functionality not available in out-of-the-box Koha.</p><p data-block-key="4hrt7">Koha plugins, often maintained by fewer developers than core Koha project code, can become outdated quickly. However, if regularly maintained, they can add new functionality without significant development effort.</p><p data-block-key="de14o"><i>The Koha patron emailer plugin is currently supported by the National Library of Finland.</i></p><p data-block-key="c4mo2">This plugin provides a more manual process for sending custom notices than the patron emailer cronjob. A librarian must manually trigger the plugin for notices to be sent.. Whereas using the cronjob, custom notices are sent automatically.</p><p data-block-key="694o7">The setup process for the patron emailer cronjob is fairly straightforward and can be mainly done by a librarian via the Koha staff client:</p><ol><li data-block-key="bnff5">Ask your Koha support vendor to enable Koha plugins.</li><li data-block-key="8664p">Install the Koha patron emailer plugin.</li><li data-block-key="1dp1e">Create SQL report.</li><li data-block-key="en6sf">Create notice - the notice that will be sent.</li><li data-block-key="9st0r">Manually trigger the plugin – This sends out the custom email notices.</li></ol><h3 data-block-key="3t8mb">1. Ask your Koha support vendor to enable Koha plugins</h3><p data-block-key="bkjdh">Raise a ticket with your Koha support vendor requesting they enable plugins for your Koha instance.</p><h3 data-block-key="7o8e7">2. Install the Koha patron emailer plugin</h3><ol><li data-block-key="foou7">Download the plugin .kpz file from <a href="https://github.com/NatLibFi/koha-plugin-patron-emailer-KK-fork/releases" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GitLab</a>.</li><li data-block-key="b70vg">In the Koha staff client go to: Administration &gt; Plugins &gt; Manage plugins &gt; Upload plugin.</li><li data-block-key="9ecb6">Then upload the .kpz file from your computer.</li></ol><img alt="Upload plugin page in the Koha Administration module. The Koha patron emailer plugin kpz file has been uploaded and the form is ready to be submitted" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Upload_plugin_page_in_the_Koha_Administration_.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="9g582"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><h3 data-block-key="8lgi8">3. Create a SQL report</h3><p data-block-key="8fs7i">This SQL report fetches patron accounts expiring at the end of the semester:</p><p data-block-key="10pk1"><i>SELECT cardnumber, email, firstname, surname, categorycode, dateexpiry</i></p><p data-block-key="5d2ae"><i>FROM borrowers</i></p><p data-block-key="15r9v"><i>WHERE dateexpiry BETWEEN &lt;&lt;Expires between|date&gt;&gt; AND &lt;&lt;and|date&gt;&gt;</i></p><p data-block-key="9n8qh"><b>NOTE</b>: The last line in the SQL report contains runtime parameters. When running this report you will be asked to select a start and end date from date pickers. Choosing different dates returns different patrons. The alternative approach would be to have a start and end date hard-coded in the SQL report. But then every time you want to query a different date range you have to modify your report. That’s a more time-consuming process than just using runtime parameters.</p><h3 data-block-key="9cjoh">4. Create a custom notice</h3><p data-block-key="d4h2">The same process as creating a custom notice for the patron emailer cronjob.</p><h3 data-block-key="amb7d">5. Manually trigger the plugin</h3><p data-block-key="78dg3">To send the custom notices, you must manually trigger the plugin.</p><ul><li data-block-key="fkpo9">In the Koha staff client, go to Administration &gt; Plugins &gt; Manage plugins &gt; ‘[KK-fork] Patron emailer’ &gt; Actions &gt; Run tool.</li><li data-block-key="5bec0">You must then select the SQL report you want to run (#1 highlighted box in the below screenshot) and the custom notice you want to send (#2 highlighted box).<br/><br/></li></ul><img alt="Run the patron emailer plugin page. Two parts of the page are yellow highlighted boxes. The first box contains the SQL report ID to run, and 31 is the inputted ID. The second box defines which cus" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Run_the_patron_emailer_plugin_page._Two_parts_.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="cpk6c"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><ul><li data-block-key="c1724">Click ‘Next’ then you’ll be prompted to enter the runtime parameter values from your SQL report.</li><li data-block-key="1a2fc">Click ‘Next’ once more to trigger the plugin and send your custom notices.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="e4ln6">Choosing the right patron emailer option for your library</h2><p data-block-key="3darb">The choice between the cronjob or plugin depends on the frequency of sending the custom notices.</p><p data-block-key="8s6a3">The cronjob is recommended for regular custom notices as manual triggers would be time-consuming. For example, monthly reminders for expiring staff. The Patron emailer plugin is recommended for irregular custom notices, so libraries can manage triggering multiple custom notices themselves.</p><h2 data-block-key="77lgq">How to keep track of which patrons have received custom notices</h2><p data-block-key="a3h5h">To see a full list of which patrons have received a custom notice you can run the following SQL report:</p><p data-block-key="5keho"><i>SELECT cardnumber, firstname, surname, content, time_queued, status</i><br/><i> FROM borrowers</i><br/><i> LEFT JOIN message_queue USING (borrowernumber)</i><br/><i> WHERE letter_code = &lt;&lt;Enter letter code&gt;&gt;</i></p><p data-block-key="985fm"><b>NOTE</b>: <i>When you run this SQL report you will be prompted to enter the code of a custom notice.</i></p><h2 data-block-key="24cdv">How to copy your library email address into custom notices</h2><p data-block-key="8eoiv">Libraries can use the Koha NoticeBcc system preference to send patron notices to a library address. The patron emailer cronjob and plugin should also send the custom notices to the same address.</p><h2 data-block-key="95em4">Where can I get Koha support?</h2><p data-block-key="c56es">Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst cares for collections through technology. The dedicated team has hosted and maintained Koha for organisations globally for more than a decade. Additionally, they also provide support for DSpace, VuFind, and other collections technologies.</p><p data-block-key="11q6h">If you need expert support to improve, manage, or secure your Koha, contact our team today at <a href="mailto:koha-support@catalyst.net.nz">koha-support@catalyst.net.nz</a>.</p><p data-block-key="4r62f">Keep up to date with the latest events, releases, and other helpful resources from Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst by <a href="https://catalyst.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=62457ff5060d15ee3c07d3fc4&amp;id=b73fbdcac8&amp;mtm_campaign=koha&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=koha-2fa-two-factor-authentication&amp;mtm_cid=ropu-kohinga" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">subscribing to our newsletter</a>.</p>

<p data-block-key="y8vq3">Using the Koha patron emailer, your library can now create custom notices for emailing your library patrons. In this blog post, we’ll cover two patron emailer implementation options and advise how to choose the right one for your library.</p>

how-to-email-koha-patrons-using-the-patron-emailer

<p data-block-key="91zod">In te ao Māori, as in many Indigenous world views, data is a <a href="https://www.maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&amp;phrase=&amp;proverb=&amp;loan=&amp;histLoanWords=&amp;keywords=taonga" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">taonga</a> that must be cared for and considered contextually. Indigenous data must not be viewed or analysed in isolation as simple numbers and names. It carries its own <a href="https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&amp;phrase=&amp;proverb=&amp;loan=&amp;histLoanWords=&amp;keywords=mana" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">mana</a> and <a href="https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&amp;phrase=&amp;proverb=&amp;loan=&amp;histLoanWords=&amp;keywords=whakapapa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">whakapapa</a>, which organisations have a responsibility to protect and enhance, and never diminish. At Catalyst IT, Rōpū kohinga are a team dedicated to caring for collections with modern technology and Technical Lead Aleisha Amohia provides insights in this blog. Aleisha (Te Atihaunui a Paparangi, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Hāua, Cambodia, India) covers what to consider when holding Indigenous data, and open source solutions you can use to preserve Indigenous collections.</p><h2 data-block-key="clb0u">Home is where the data is</h2><p data-block-key="e561l">Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst care deeply about Indigenous data sovereignty and know that one aspect of this is where data is physically stored.</p><p data-block-key="b4u7f"><b>“Indigenous data sovereignty</b> is concerned with the rights of Indigenous peoples to control data derived from and pertaining to them, and their knowledge systems, customs or territories.<b>&quot; –</b> <i>Maggie Walter and Michele Suina, ‘Indigenous Data, Indigenous Methodologies and Indigenous Data Sovereignty’, International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 22.</i></p><p data-block-key="5l47e"><b>Data sovereignty also refers to the jurisdictional control or legal authority that can be asserted over data, regardless of its physical location.</b></p><p data-block-key="4suar">Libraries based in Aotearoa New Zealand who use Koha through Catalyst will have their data stored in the <a href="https://catalystcloud.nz/?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=preserving-indigenous-collections-with-modern-technology&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst Cloud</a>. This is the only New Zealand owned and operated open source cloud computing service. That means <a href="https://catalystcloud.nz/about/data-sovereignty?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=preserving-indigenous-collections-with-modern-technology&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">data stored in the Catalyst Cloud is only subject to New Zealand laws</a>. For example, digital assets stored in DSpace would be kept securely on New Zealand shores, to be used by New Zealand applications.</p><p data-block-key="umeb">Rōpū kohinga seek out relevant cloud providers to support collections based overseas, to ensure data sovereignty.</p><h2 data-block-key="9482m">Considering Indigenous data</h2><p data-block-key="e5cqr">Indigenous data refers to information or knowledge that is about or from Indigenous people, including but not limited to their:</p><ul><li data-block-key="9a539">languages</li><li data-block-key="81kqo">people</li><li data-block-key="emcdn">cultures</li><li data-block-key="6a645">resources</li><li data-block-key="csm66">environments.</li></ul><p data-block-key="35m95">After we’ve begun to understand <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/understanding-indigenous-data-sovereignty-idsov?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=preserving-indigenous-collections-with-modern-technology&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">data sovereignty and how it applies to Indigenous data</a>, we can then explore how to preserve Indigenous collections. Rōpū kohinga offers open source solutions to preserve Indigenous collections, such as:</p><ul><li data-block-key="bp1d3"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/koha-library-management?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=preserving-indigenous-collections-with-modern-technology&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Koha</a> – library management system which can catalogue, describe, and link taonga in a database.</li><li data-block-key="63fhc">DSpace – digital repository which stores digital files – documents, images, and more.</li><li data-block-key="6jhrf">VuFind – combined search engine which can search across multiple databases and websites.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="eb1l6">Open source software and Indigenous world views have shared values</h2><p data-block-key="cu5qn">Rōpū kohinga enjoys using open source software for Indigenous collections because there is an alignment of value systems. Sometimes technology solutions can fail to feel human, but open source software is inherently by the people, for the people.</p><p data-block-key="hg3r">There are many <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/tikanga-maori-open-source-and-libraries?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga-q1-2024-wr-429374&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=preserving-indigenous-collections-with-modern-technology&amp;mtm_group=koha&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">examples from the Koha open source community that demonstrate tikanga Māori</a>. Libraries can feel the difference, and have shared with user groups <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/kanohi-ki-te-kanohi-with-the-koha-community?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga-q1-2024-wr-429374&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=preserving-indigenous-collections-with-modern-technology&amp;mtm_group=koha&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">how open source collections software benefits them</a>. Organisations responsible for Indigenous collections can choose systems that were developed with people at the core and still serve their community effectively.</p><h2 data-block-key="9nqtl">Search multiple databases</h2><p data-block-key="3mko3">VuFind is an open source application that sits on top of a public catalogue enabling you to browse collections. It can provide a combined search of a Koha catalogue as well as other external catalogues and databases. This could make searching for Indigenous resources less daunting and more accessible.</p><p data-block-key="aqq8g">VuFind could also be used to set the focus for Indigenous collections if they exist in the same database as regular collections. As an example of how this could be achieved, Rōpū kohinga recently implemented <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/497410/decades-of-auckland-university-of-technology-rainbow-research-collated-for-online-portal-ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VuFind for the Auckland University of Technology to collate decades of rainbow research</a> in a single online portal.</p><h2 data-block-key="ee928">Freedom to innovate and customise</h2><p data-block-key="5r8vt">A major benefit of open source collections software such as Koha is the ability to <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/customising-your-koha-catalogue?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=preserving-indigenous-collections-with-modern-technology&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">customise your system.</a> This means that your installation of Koha could look completely different to another library’s Koha, in a myriad of ways:</p><ul><li data-block-key="aj7do">Elements on the public catalogue can be configured to show or be hidden.</li><li data-block-key="cge28">Blocks of custom text can be added to various sections of the homepage.</li><li data-block-key="4hiu9">Colours, fonts, and logos can be changed to match your organisation’s style guide.</li></ul><p data-block-key="8msq4">Possibly the most useful feature of Koha for Indigenous collections is its translatability. Koha can be installed in around 100 languages from around the world. Additionally, custom content can be added in any number of your installed languages. This means Indigenous collections could truly be accessed by the communities they involve through Koha.</p><p data-block-key="726me">Rōpū kohinga are well equipped to support and maintain open source solutions for your organisation and community. The team will prioritise Indigenous data sovereignty and the accessibility of your system to ensure the mana of your collection is preserved and upheld. To learn more about open source solutions for your collection, contact the team at <a href="mailto:koha-support@catalyst.net.nz">koha-support@catalyst.net.nz</a></p>

Home is where the data is. Preserving Indigenous collections with modern technology

<p data-block-key="92gcf">Aleisha Amohia (Te Atihaunui a Paparangi, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Hāua, Cambodia, India) covers what to consider when holding Indigenous data, and open source solutions you can use to preserve Indigenous collections.</p>

preserving-indigenous-collections-with-modern-technology

<p data-block-key="py3d3">Have you ever wondered if you were on track towards gaining a qualification, but you couldn&#x27;t check your progress? Perhaps you weren&#x27;t even sure of the requirements to begin with? Unclear progress can make you feel stuck and think you&#x27;re not advancing toward your goals. To remove the guesswork, the Mahara feature &#x27;SmartEvidence&#x27; displays your progress toward a skill or qualification visually. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how SmartEvidence associates competency frameworks with &#x27;evidence maps&#x27;, so progress can be seen at a glance.</p><h2 data-block-key="9lbr5"><b>What is Mahara SmartEvidence?</b></h2><p data-block-key="bjgn2">SmartEvidence simplifies the assessment process for competencies and skills in <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-smartevidence-competency-frameworks-at-a-glance&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a> by clearly displaying progress against competencies. The Mahara project team released the first version of SmartEvidence in October 2016, enabling organisations to easily track competencies with existing competency frameworks across disciplines.</p><p data-block-key="2i8o9"></p><img alt="The overview page of a portfolio that uses SmartEvidence competencies. Portfolio pages displayed at the top are mapped to standards on the left. Different icons indicate the progress towards the" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/The_overview_page_of_a_portfolio_that_uses_Sma.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="8ss7g"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><p data-block-key="8o4m6"><i>The above image is used with permission from the</i> <a href="https://manual.mahara.org/en/23.04/administration/smartevidence_settings.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>Mahara project</i></a><i>. It depicts the overview page of a portfolio that uses SmartEvidence to give a quick view of competencies attained. Portfolio pages displayed at the top are mapped to standards on the left. Different icons indicate the progress towards the standards.</i></p><p data-block-key="a4sp5">Learners can have a lot to juggle when they&#x27;re working towards a skill or qualification, especially if they have to manually track what they&#x27;ve completed and what&#x27;s coming up next. Assessors might face similar challenges if managing multiple teams and classes - it can be a lot to remember the status of each learner for each skill or qualification. SmartEvidence redefines this process by visually presenting learners’ progress all in one place. Both learners and assessors can quickly see progress due to the display of status icons for each required competency.</p><p data-block-key="bhja">For instance, SmartEvidence can show completed standards, standards currently being worked on, and areas not yet started. Each assessment status has a unique icon, so it&#x27;s easy to check the status at a glance. This gives reassurance to the learner about what stage they’re at and provides assessors with an easier review system.</p><p data-block-key="c089d">Learn more about Mahara SmartEvidence in the demo video by Mahara project lead, Kristina Hoeppner.</p><div>
    <iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KOBYt8AEZpA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen title="Upcoming in Mahara: SmartEvidence version 2"></iframe>
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<h2 data-block-key="aci8p"><b>Set up your own competency frameworks with SmartEvidence</b></h2><p data-block-key="9ta2e"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-smartevidence-competency-frameworks-at-a-glance&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a> allows you to set up your own competency frameworks through an easy to follow form that is available to site administrators. Competency frameworks can be used for multiple purposes, including:</p><ul><li data-block-key="3mbq6">competency-based assessment</li><li data-block-key="72c2m">graduate attributes</li><li data-block-key="671ic">skills accomplishment</li><li data-block-key="2efne">self-assessment.</li></ul><p data-block-key="dvjuj">You can define the wording around each assessment status to align with the competencies your organisation wants to measure and set up a hierarchy of competencies for complex frameworks. The flexibility of the wording for assessment statuses enables you to use SmartEvidence in the language you work in.</p><h2 data-block-key="eiols"><b>The future of SmartEvidence</b></h2><p data-block-key="d3k3b">SmartEvidence has continued to grow with Mahara since its first release to match modern expectations of the portfolio platform. In the upcoming release of Mahara in the second half of April 2024, key new features will be made available thanks to funding from our partner, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-work/mahara-feature-helps-university-to-visualise-learning-progress?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-smartevidence-competency-frameworks-at-a-glance&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AP Hogeschool Antwerpen in Belgium</a>. The features include:</p><ul><li data-block-key="cd00l">A framework will then have the option to be shared with multiple assessors to review and provide feedback. Additionally, a learner can complete a self-assessment at the same time.</li><li data-block-key="6tk9m">The assessment statuses are expanded by an additional option to allow for more granularity in the assessment.</li></ul><p data-block-key="1rfoi">The Mahara project team plans to make SmartEvidence even more flexible and usable in more learning scenarios. The following features are included in the Mahara roadmap:</p><ul><li data-block-key="fcijr">Being able to set up a competency framework that consists of multiple levels of achievement rather than a single one.</li><li data-block-key="3iusr">Adding the option to map individual artefacts to competencies.</li><li data-block-key="e9r43">Integrating SmartEvidence into Mahara Mobile to instantly map evidence collected on a mobile device to one or more competencies.</li></ul><p data-block-key="da2ob">You can get an overview of the overall <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/mahara-updates-and-features-roadmap?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-smartevidence-competency-frameworks-at-a-glance&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">roadmap for Mahara in our blog</a>.</p><h2 data-block-key="32ds5"><b>Getting the most out of your Mahara</b></h2><p data-block-key="6nvcb">SmartEvidence provides valuable insight into the progress toward skills or competencies in Mahara by making the assessment process more visible. It is just one way of using Mahara for organisations to support their learners. At Catalyst, our Mahara team is here to support your organisation&#x27;s learning and professional development initiatives. We offer learning design, graphical design, and technical support services, including complex integrations and hosting services, so you can focus on your learners and their success.</p><p data-block-key="4p8q7">To learn more about our Mahara support services, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-smartevidence-competency-frameworks-at-a-glance&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact our team today</a>.</p>

Mahara SmartEvidence Track and reflect on your competencies

<p data-block-key="gjea3">In this blog post, we’ll discuss how SmartEvidence associates competency frameworks with &#x27;evidence maps&#x27;, so progress can be seen at a glance.</p>

mahara-smartevidence-competency-frameworks-at-a-glance

<p data-block-key="h4wqy">Catalyst are strong supporters of diversity in the IT sector. So, to celebrate <a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024</a>, we are sharing insights into some of the amazing women who work at Catalyst and learning what IWD means to them.</p><h2 data-block-key="8ko54">Meet Kristina Hoeppner, Mahara Project Lead</h2><h3 data-block-key="33bjc">Tell us about your career journey:</h3><p data-block-key="9cdmh">Starting my journey at Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, I immersed myself in innovative (educational) technology. Initially, we created HTML course support pages (this was pre-learning management systems only briefly after the internet took off). I also helped to equip fellow students with essential IT skills to evaluate information online.</p><p data-block-key="70h58">Then, transitioning to Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Germany, as a project manager, workshop facilitator, and content creator, I worked in the &#x27;imMEDIAte TEACHing&#x27; project - part of the larger European Union project &#x27;<a href="https://www.waxmann.com/index.php?eID=download&amp;buchnr=1883&amp;mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-kristina-hoeppner-mahara-project-lead&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SprachChancen</a>&#x27; in Bavaria. The focus was on enhancing language teaching for university students. We did this by supporting instructors in learning about new media tools they could use with their students online or in a language lab.</p><p data-block-key="bvp44">Following this, I continued my professional journey at the University of Luxembourg, researching personal learning environments and facilitating workshops on platforms such as Moodle, Mahara, WordPress, and other specialised tools. However, I decided to discontinue my PhD – a challenging decision, yet in hindsight, it was the right choice for me. At this point, I sent an incentive application to Catalyst, with whom I had previously engaged to create features for the open source ePortfolio platform Mahara. Within four months, I arrived in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, and started my role as an eLearning Specialist. Initially handling both Mahara and <a href="https://moodle.org/?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-kristina-hoeppner-mahara-project-lead&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle</a> clients, my focus gradually shifted toward <a href="https://mahara.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a>, eventually leading me to my current role as the Mahara project lead.</p><p data-block-key="90cgn">In my multifaceted role at Catalyst, I engage globally with clients and the wider community, which can mean very early morning or late evening meetings, doing product development, and learning the odd bit of programming lingo. Over the past five years, I&#x27;ve also contributed to the <a href="https://aaeebl.org/digital-ethics-task-force/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AAEEBL Digital Ethics Task Force</a>, focusing on principles for portfolios with a commitment to digital ethics, including diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and decolonisation.</p><h3 data-block-key="9555q">What does International Women&#x27;s Day mean to you?</h3><p data-block-key="f4cat">International Women&#x27;s Day was celebrated annually in East Germany, honouring teachers, mothers, and women in general. Disappointed by its lesser recognition in Munich and Luxembourg, I made a point of congratulating women in my work teams. I am happy that there has been an international resurgence over the past few years; however, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that women&#x27;s contributions to society are celebrated. It&#x27;s important to pause and reflect on where we are at and what we can do to promote women&#x27;s work as a society and as individuals.</p><p data-block-key="d24e6">It is also a day for me to self-reflect and be thankful for the many women who have been instrumental in my life. This includes family members, my first physics teacher, university professors, the project leads in Munich, and now women with whom I work daily.</p><h3 data-block-key="6e1hk">The International Women&#x27;s Day theme in 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. What do you do personally, or what do you think businesses can do to create a better culture reflecting this?</h3><p data-block-key="5rpc4">Working in a male-dominated industry, I think we still need to actively seek ways to make IT more welcoming to women and other groups of people who have not traditionally chosen to work in the industry. It also means to dismantle the stereotype that IT is all about programming. In fact, there are many roles in an IT company catering to diverse strengths: developers, business analysts, designers, testers, and infrastructure staff. Additionally, project managers, sales teams, and support teams ensure successful implementation for clients. I also highlight this aspect when mentoring students and participating in initiatives like <a href="https://123tech.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tahi Rua Toru Tech.</a></p><h4 data-block-key="frti9">A few questions organisations can ask themselves to check if they are supporting inclusion are:</h4><ul><li data-block-key="4jg2m">Do we have diverse hiring panels during the recruitment process?</li><li data-block-key="9m255">Are our job ads written in such a way that a range of people could apply?</li><li data-block-key="7il0o">Are our policies and guidelines supportive of working and living situations, particularly when someone is a caregiver, which still often falls to women?</li><li data-block-key="46rl2">Is our workforce diverse, and is that reflected in the imagery we use?</li><li data-block-key="4v40f">Do our events include women and minoritised people as speakers and keynote speakers beyond a single token person?</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="7rtpe"><b>What is the biggest change you have seen in your career supporting inclusion?</b></h3><p data-block-key="aj00h">The biggest change is that the topic is addressed and discussed more openly rather than pushed to the side. That doesn&#x27;t mean it&#x27;s become easier because there isn&#x27;t a quick fix. However, early education and support are important to increasing women&#x27;s participation in technical roles, particularly when young girls express interest in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).</p><p data-block-key="62cu5">Fortunate to have strong women role models, I grew up in a society where women held diverse jobs at all levels. Consequently, the absence of women in key roles or non-traditional jobs struck me as odd, as it differed from my experience as a young student. Granted, behind closed doors, not everything was equal between women and men where I grew up, but there were certainly more opportunities from the outset.</p><h3 data-block-key="2j9k0"><b>What&#x27;s one thing you hope to see change in the future to help empower more women in the workforce?</b></h3><p data-block-key="4if81">Continue to shift the work culture to be more inclusive of different working methods. It could be the workplace, working hours, employee benefits, and flexibility around potential caregiver responsibility fluctuations.</p><h3 data-block-key="7nlb7"><b>What one thing are you most proud of in your life?</b></h3><p data-block-key="4e4ub">I find joy in supporting people on their learning journeys and guiding conversations that positively impact their actions, leading to growth and success.</p><h3 data-block-key="4bn9i"><b>What&#x27;s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?</b></h3><p data-block-key="s1lh">Ask more questions to get to the &#x27;Why,&#x27; and don&#x27;t be afraid of having difficult conversations. We may be using the same words, but the intent or impact may differ in meaning based on cultural backgrounds and the places we currently live.</p>

Kristina Hoeppner, Mahara Project Lead explains what International Women's Day means to her.

<p data-block-key="757ou">To celebrate International Women&#x27;s Day, 8 March 2024, we&#x27;re profiling some of the amazing women working at Catalyst. Meet Kristina Hoeppner, Mahara Project Lead.</p>

iwd-2024-meet-kristina-hoeppner-mahara-project-lead

<p data-block-key="g4hex">Accessible web content doesn’t have to compromise web design – in fact, the two are players on the same team. Accessibility and design actually share a common goal – to achieve a great user experience. In this blog post, we’ll debunk the myth that accessibility compromises web design and explore how to improve web accessibility.</p><h2 data-block-key="4mkmb"><b>Myth: Web accessibility compromises design</b></h2><p data-block-key="15uuh">You may assume that implementing accessibility standards will create more work and adversely affect your design. For example, if your brand colours don’t work with high colour contrast expectations. In fact, accessibility actually enhances design. Often the basics of design overlap with elements that improve web accessibility. Accessible content improves the overall user experience and ensures your content is available to all. So you can have websites that are both visually captivating and universally accessible. Let’s start by debunking the myth and see how the two work together.</p><h2 data-block-key="br0fj">How contrast makes content appealing and accessible</h2><p data-block-key="7dscs">A foundational element of design is contrast. Contrast is the difference between two or more elements to create visual interest and make elements stand out. Embedding contrast into the design pinpoints where a user should focus on the page and aids navigation. Contrast covers a range of elements:</p><img alt="Type indicators. A bad example of a heading followed by a subheading the same size. Then a good example of a heading and a smaller subheading following heading hierarchies" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="348" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Type_indicators._A_bad_example_of_a_heading_fo.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="a0gpk"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><ul><li data-block-key="mfij"><b>Scale</b> compares the size of one element to another and can suggest importance. An example of scale is the size of a title compared to the text underneath.</li></ul><img alt="Type Style indicators. Making text bold or putting it in italics can show emphasis" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="348" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Type_Style_indicators._Making_text_bold_or_put.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="60c94"></p><p data-block-key="6h9p5"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><ul><li data-block-key="bc6vu"><b>Type</b> covers everything involved in the appearance of text on the screen. For instance, making text bold or putting it in italics can show emphasis.</li></ul><img alt="Using postive and negative space. The word shift is used to creatively imply an &amp;#x27;h&amp;#x27; is there without using the letter" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="348" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Using_postive_and_negative_space._The_word_shi.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="41ov1"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><ul><li data-block-key="4ekfa"><b>Space</b> and how it is used creates a focal point on the screen. For example, in a logo, the negative space (the gaps between the letters) draws the focus to the positive space (the design itself).</li></ul><img alt="Colour indicators. An example of the bad use of colour to imply function with an orange submit button, and a blue submit button as an example of good colour indication" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="348" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Colour_indicators._An_example_of_the_bad_use_o.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="3d3et"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><ul><li data-block-key="66b32"><b>Colour</b> can express a brand identity, which creates a sense of familiarity for the user. Plus, colour can differentiate sections or elements to showcase their importance. For instance, submit buttons tend to be a blue button on a white background, and links almost always have blue text.</li></ul><p data-block-key="cgqtb">When contrast is used effectively in design, it influences how a user interacts with the content. Contrast can suggest where important elements are on a page, making navigation easier.</p><p data-block-key="deher">If a user has low vision, colour blindness, or the sun is blocking their view, contrast is a great way to make content stand out. Plus, ensuring design elements have a high colour contrast meets <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=you-dont-have-to-compromise-web-design-for-accessibility&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG guidelines</a>, making content more accessible. Not only does contrast aid usability, but contrast is also a great way to express creativity and create vibrant and dynamic experiences.</p><p data-block-key="aofaa">To check the colour contrast of elements, use the <a href="https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contrast checker</a>.</p><p data-block-key="971ll"></p><h2 data-block-key="7ck4f"><b>How following a hierarchy influences design and usability</b></h2><p data-block-key="i421">Visual hierarchy is the order a user processes the information on a website. There are two common ways users instinctively view a website:</p><p data-block-key="5mi9q"></p><img alt="An example of the F-pattern and the Z-pattern. Both follow the shape of the letters they&amp;#x27;re named after" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="348" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/An_example_of_the_F-pattern_and_the_Z-pattern..width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="9rm5q"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><ul><li data-block-key="5fdfb">The <b>F-pattern</b> is the way a user scans a page to find relevant information when there’s a lot of text on a page.</li><li data-block-key="77n61">The <b>Z-pattern</b> is the way a user scans a page that has more images and less text.</li></ul><p data-block-key="foc6a">Designers follow these patterns to design websites that are easy to use and understand. Key components such as a navigation bar and a search bar are generally at the top of a page. Following the visual hierarchy principle ensures the designer creates a familiar layout. Good design shouldn&#x27;t make a user think more than they have to. A familiar layout reduces the cognitive load and makes the experience more enjoyable. This improves the overall experience for everyone, including those with cognitive difficulties, and those who use a screen reader to navigate.</p><h2 data-block-key="d85jf"><br/>How headings make a difference in accessibility</h2><p data-block-key="eg44p">Another way to establish a visual hierarchy is through the use of headers. Headers make it easier to understand the content of a page by separating content into sections. When scanning a page in either a Z- or F-pattern, a heading will pull the focus and help users understand the context. Headings have a natural hierarchy, and following the hierarchy, H1, H2, H3, and so on, it&#x27;s easier to understand how topics fit together. Plus, when using a hierarchy in headings, it&#x27;s easier for someone using a screen reader to navigate between sections.</p><h2 data-block-key="2elq9">How accessibility improves design</h2><p data-block-key="fv1oi">In 2010, Google popularised mobile-first design as a development method. Mobile-first design is when a website is designed for a mobile device first and then scaled up for larger devices later. In 2023, New Zealanders had more mobile phones than people, with over <a href="https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-new-zealand" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">6.5 million mobile connections</a> and <a href="https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-new-zealand" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4.99 million internet users</a>. It’s safe to assume the majority of internet users access the web on their mobiles some of the time. Essentially, by considering mobile-design upfront, developers can consider the core components and functionalities and create them for a smaller screen. Conversely, designing desktop-first requires removing elements or squashing everything to fit on a smaller screen. This approach can mean organisations need to either create a separate mobile website, or completely rebuild. The limitation in size influences better design, as developers have to be more specific in what they choose and why. This results in improved navigation and usability due to tighter restraints.</p><p data-block-key="64v2t">At Catalyst, we supported an organisation that wanted to <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-work/healthify?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=you-dont-have-to-compromise-web-design-for-accessibility&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">transform its desktop-first website into something more modern and accessible</a>. We embedded accessibility into our design approach at the very beginning of our process. Our holistic approach to accessibility and design delivered a visually attractive and accessible result by designing mobile-first.</p><h2 data-block-key="66okl">How web accessibility impacts user experience</h2><p data-block-key="ddgb7">Ensuring your website is accessible means you’re making your content available to a wider range of people. Considering design without accessibility impacts a company’s reputation, as inclusiveness is an expectation for brands, especially when <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">16% of the world’s population has a disability</a>.</p><p data-block-key="6ic93">Accessibility improves the user experience for everyone as it enhances the usability and functionality. Following accessibility guidelines and best practices, you can make your website clear, consistent, easy to navigate, and responsive. You can also reduce errors, bugs, and frustrations while providing more options and choices for your users. Therefore, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-accessibility-drives-good-user-experience-ux?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=you-dont-have-to-compromise-web-design-for-accessibility&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">accessibility drives good UX</a> and provides value to all users.</p><h2 data-block-key="du268">Web accessibility services in New Zealand</h2><p data-block-key="6ue2s">In New Zealand, government organisations need their services to be available to everyone, so they must comply with the <a href="https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/nz-government-web-standards/web-usability-standard-1-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Web Usability Standard.</a> Catalyst is an <a href="https://marketplace.govt.nz/about-marketplace/whats-open-on-marketplace/approved-suppliers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">approved supplier for web accessibility on the DIA Marketplace</a>, and we&#x27;re experienced in working with government requirements to improve accessibility. As part of our accessibility services, we enable organisations to improve their user experience by providing both UX and accessibility audits. To support one government agency on their accessibility journey, we audited their website, and through this, we were able to provide valuable insights by:</p><ul><li data-block-key="f18pf">reviewing each page against each user persona provided.<ul><li data-block-key="aghp7">User personas are examples of the type of user a website has, and each persona interacts with the website differently depending on their needs.</li></ul></li><li data-block-key="fd04q">identifying main themes for issues, including where they were, providing examples, and suggesting solutions to improve accessibility and UX.<ul><li data-block-key="dm8da">This included a compliance percentage rating against the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/understanding-wcag-2-2-guidelines?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=you-dont-have-to-compromise-web-design-for-accessibility&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG 2.2 AA criterion</a> for each page.</li></ul></li></ul><p data-block-key="2rn3m">As an organisation, you may know some of your usability issues from user feedback or by experiencing them yourself. However, an audit can both catch areas you may not know about and provide suggestions to improve accessibility. W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) has an <a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/eval/report-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">auditing tool</a> which you can use to run an audit on your website. However, the tool is for experienced accessibility evaluators. If you don’t have the resources to perform an audit or act on any findings, our web accessibility services can enable you to achieve your accessibility goals.</p><p data-block-key="9loan"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/Accessibility-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=you-dont-have-to-compromise-web-design-for-accessibility&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Contact us to learn how to improve web accessibility in your design today.</a></p>

You don’t have to compromise web design for accessibility

<p data-block-key="9o0ca">In this blog post, we’ll debunk the myth that accessibility compromises web design and explore how to improve web accessibility.</p>

you-dont-have-to-compromise-web-design-for-accessibility

<p data-block-key="syuis">Catalyst are strong supporters of diversity in the IT sector. So, to celebrate <a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024</a>, we are sharing insights into some of the amazing women who work at Catalyst and learning what IWD means to them.</p><h2 data-block-key="1ncvd">Meet Christine Loughnan, General Counsel</h2><h3 data-block-key="5mlep">Tell us about your career journey:</h3><p data-block-key="aqdms">I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was eight years old. We didn&#x27;t have any lawyers in my family - my sisters and I were the first generation to get university degrees. During the uni summer break, I volunteered my services to the parents of some law school friends. This opportunity evolved into two part-time, paid positions at practices specialising in criminal and family law, while I pursued my studies. It gave me a fascinating insight, for which I am eternally grateful. But, I also realised I was more interested (and better suited) to the business aspects of lawyering. That led me to apply for commercial roles in companies.</p><p data-block-key="1delc">I started working for Telecom in 2004, supporting the roll-out of 3G network across New Zealand. From there, I went to London and worked for eight years as an in-house lawyer in the construction and IT/Telco industries. It was a magical time in my life, one highlight being working on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.</p><p data-block-key="8tmfs">Returning to New Zealand in 2013, I knew I wanted to stay in the tech industry. I was lucky enough to work with some inspiring lawyers at Spark. Exciting opportunities, like setting up Lightbox (now Neon), Qrious data analytics deals, and Government ICT transformations, kept me there.</p><p data-block-key="dkkm3">After a stint at fintech FNZ supporting Hatch, whose mission to empower more women to invest inspired me, I stepped up to the General Counsel role at Catalyst in 2022.</p><h3 data-block-key="dr6tv">What does International Women&#x27;s Day mean to you?</h3><p data-block-key="3motd">It&#x27;s a chance to reflect on progress and consider what I can do to support other women at Catalyst and in the wider industry.</p><p data-block-key="c4dis">Some people have asked if we celebrate a day for women, will we celebrate a day for men? I think we should - when closer to achieving gender equity goals. IWD is focused on bringing attention to those inequities that still exist despite great progress.</p><h3 data-block-key="evo9a">The International Women&#x27;s Day theme in 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. What do you do personally, or what do you think businesses can do to create a better culture reflecting this?</h3><p data-block-key="h8cn">Catalyst is a frontrunner in terms of inclusion and flexibility. But there isn&#x27;t one size fits all for these things; we need to look after the people who work for us as individuals. For my team and me, that means offering flexible working arrangements, be it reduced hours, remote working, or flexi-time to accommodate life and responsibilities outside work. Also, in line with Catalyst’s journey to embed more Te Reo and Tikanga across our business, my team is exploring new approaches to recruitment to encourage more people who whakapapa Māori to apply for roles. At a personal level, I’m also focused on increasing my understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace. Autism and ADHD are often overlooked in women. This is particularly true for “high-functioning” women, who are diagnosed far less often than men. If we’re not inclusive and adaptable for all types of people, we’re missing out on talent.</p><h3 data-block-key="6k72v">What is the biggest change you have seen in your career supporting inclusion?</h3><p data-block-key="5kglt">After almost twenty years in business, I&#x27;m glad to say women working at all levels of an organisation has become more normalised now. At Catalyst, for example, we have a gender-balanced SLT, with women holding key COO and CFO roles. Additionally, there&#x27;s greater emphasis across the industry on workplace culture and other issues in the workplace disproportionally affecting women, such as the gender pay gap. The younger generation entering the workforce is also helping to challenge old stereotypes about what makes a great leader. I’m in awe of the young women who initiated the &quot;me-too&quot; movement in this country and the important change that is unfolding.</p><h3 data-block-key="8qhqv">What&#x27;s one thing you hope to see change in the future to help empower more women in the workforce?</h3><p data-block-key="7u097">We have great flexibility at Catalyst. This enables me to make choices; I have the full support of our Board and SLT to perform a C-suite role <i>and</i> collect my kids from kindy. But that is still far from the norm in many New Zealand companies. I&#x27;d like to see more companies adopt progressive views on leadership and work/life balance.</p><h3 data-block-key="41ula">What one thing are you most proud of in your life?</h3><p data-block-key="9r4ml">I&#x27;m proud of every time I’ve been brave in my career and taken a risk to go for it. That includes applying for my current General Counsel role and asking what I need regarding flexibility to thrive.</p><h3 data-block-key="f7hqh">What&#x27;s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?</h3><p data-block-key="82mdo">For IWD, I would borrow from the late, great (notorious) US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; &quot;Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.&quot;</p>

Christine Loughnan, General Counsel at Catalyst explains what International Women's Day means to her.

<p data-block-key="9ishz">To celebrate International Women&#x27;s Day, 8 March 2024, we&#x27;re profiling some of the amazing women working at Catalyst. Christine Loughnan, General Counsel.</p>

iwd-2024-meet-christine-loughnan-general-counsel

<p data-block-key="35d7c">Catalyst are strong supporters of diversity in the IT sector. So, to celebrate <a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024</a>, we are sharing insights into some of the amazing women who work at Catalyst and learning what IWD means to them.</p><h2 data-block-key="4uh1u">Meet Vicki McKay, Software Developer</h2><h3 data-block-key="4fh5e">Tell us about your career journey:</h3><p data-block-key="4svns">I&#x27;ve been programming since I was a kid, creating forums and designing websites for fun, so making websites for my day job is a joy. I primarily work in the Python/Django stack and have been in the industry since interning at a startup (Publons, now Web of Science Researcher Profiles) in 2016.</p><h3 data-block-key="57afm">What does International Women&#x27;s Day mean to you?</h3><p data-block-key="30idq">It&#x27;s a bittersweet day, honestly. I&#x27;m grateful for how far we&#x27;ve come since Ada Lovelace, but the journey to equality is a long road, and we still have work to do.</p><p data-block-key="21ddq">Every day, another kid discovers there is more to them than society&#x27;s expectations, and the box they were placed in doesn&#x27;t fit. I hope International Women&#x27;s Day brings joy and solidarity to everyone who belongs here.</p><h3 data-block-key="57mtg">The International Women&#x27;s Day theme in 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. What do you do personally, or what do you think businesses can do to create a better culture reflecting this?</h3><p data-block-key="flnmu">Recognising women in tech often comes with appreciating and understanding the alternative pathways folks have come to get here. Computer science has a lot of emotional growing to do - there&#x27;s a lot of room in our industry for smart, motivated people who can excel regardless of when they&#x27;re coming to the field—and support for those people is going to look different from the support they&#x27;re used to providing.</p><p data-block-key="43m1q">I want to ask every business whether the support they&#x27;re providing &quot;for women&quot; is actually meeting people where they&#x27;re at: is that childcare considerations, flexible hours, understanding of te ao Māori, Ramadan and Eid, ensuring policy around the correct use of pronouns and non-discriminatory language: what can we do that honours people?</p><h3 data-block-key="rs4r">What is the biggest change you have seen in your career supporting inclusion?</h3><p data-block-key="2off6">Intersectionality is a huge part of bringing equality to everyone. I&#x27;ve been proud to see <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/catalyst-and-te-tiriti?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-vicki-mckay-software-developer&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst taking steps towards Te Tiriti</a> and acknowledging how we can be a better partner in that space. We&#x27;ve also recently participated in <a href="https://www.vuwwit.co.nz/?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-vicki-mckay-software-developer&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WITCON</a> in Wellington (as we do nearly every year!). Attending as a panelist and seeing so many women entering the field was a privilege.</p><p data-block-key="e8jnk">I hope the gender balance has improved more since I took COMP103.</p><h3 data-block-key="6cqlj">What&#x27;s one thing you hope to see change in the future to help empower more women in the workforce?</h3><p data-block-key="4217h">I want more people to join their unions and more businesses to see the value in their employees.</p><h3 data-block-key="a8896">What one thing are you most proud of in your life?</h3><p data-block-key="6ugd2">I&#x27;m most proud of the people in my life: women of all kinds, funny, smart and adventurous, compassionate and insightful programmers, loyal friends, dedicated activists, and talented storytellers.</p><h3 data-block-key="ch0sn">What&#x27;s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?</h3><p data-block-key="6vm8q">Your profession can be as kind as you hope it will be.</p>

Vicki McKay, Software Developer explains why International Women's Day is important to her

<p data-block-key="mnkva">To celebrate International Women&#x27;s Day, 8 March 2024, we&#x27;re profiling some of the amazing women working at Catalyst. Meet Vicki McKay, Software Developer.</p>

iwd-2024-meet-vicki-mckay-software-developer

<p data-block-key="fcyjr">Mahara is an ePortfolio solution that supports people on their learning journeys to document and reflect on their learning. Portfolios capture milestones and reflections on a learner’s progress. It’s important to continue to improve the platform by taking into account advances in technology and changing learner expectations. To ensure the right things are being worked on to support both learners and educators, the Mahara project team’s work is influenced by feature suggestions from the wider community. The Mahara team at Catalyst is pleased to release its product roadmap which is influenced by community input. It captures the direction that the Mahara team is taking over the next five years.</p><p data-block-key="35nu">To learn what new Mahara features and updates are happening, you can watch a video overview by Mahara Project Lead Kristina Hoeppner.</p><p data-block-key="8d9b9"></p><div>
    <iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UhRaGlVA44c?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen title="Mahara roadmap: What are we discussing?"></iframe>
</div>
<p data-block-key="1u6ge"></p><p data-block-key="372jv">Alternatively, you can read the roadmap below.</p><h2 data-block-key="36t4k">Mahara roadmap</h2><p data-block-key="69ro">The Mahara roadmap aims to enhance portfolio features, usability, collaboration, infrastructure, and long-term success. It is divided into three parts: short term, medium term, and long term. Additionally, the roadmap is separated into three categories:</p><ul><li data-block-key="enpns"><b>Create:</b> focus on everything around the portfolio creation process.</li><li data-block-key="catnk"><b>Engage:</b> focus on engaging and collaborating with others on the platform around portfolios.</li><li data-block-key="fb0eu"><b>Manage</b>: focus on the technical infrastructure of Mahara.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="8o7du"><b>Mahara short term roadmap</b></h3><p data-block-key="dtijq">The short term roadmap focuses primarily on features for Mahara 24.04, which will be released by the end of April 2024. Some features may be delivered later in the year. Below is a high-level overview of the new Mahara features and updates you can expect during this time frame.</p><h4 data-block-key="mssm"><b>Create</b></h4><ul><li data-block-key="5nhbl">The ability to use a single page in multiple collections, so there’s no need to duplicate the evidence of work.</li><li data-block-key="28oed">To support learners in their reflections, there will be a proof of concept for Riff AI reflection bot integration. Riff sends prompts to learners to encourage deeper reflections to aid their learning. <a href="https://riffbot.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Test out Riff&#x27;s prompts.</a></li><li data-block-key="141k2">New options for learners to reflect on their learning or professional development. Instead of just text as an option, learners can record audio and video within a block.</li><li data-block-key="fpsui">To prevent accidentally deleted content from being gone forever, there will be the option to retrieve deleted text in a &#x27;Text&#x27; or &#x27;Note&#x27; block.</li></ul><h4 data-block-key="ftsud"><b>Engage</b></h4><ul><li data-block-key="2f23r">Easier bug reporting and feature suggestions via a ‘send report’ in your own Mahara instance.</li><li data-block-key="40gvu">In <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/mahara-smartevidence-competency-frameworks-at-a-glance?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-updates-and-features-roadmap&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SmartEvidence</a>, there will be an additional assessment status of ‘Merit’ available when reviewing learners’ work.</li><li data-block-key="e9u9e"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-work/mahara-feature-helps-university-to-visualise-learning-progress?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-updates-and-features-roadmap&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Also new in SmartEvidence</a> is the option to have multiple assessors review and grade assessments. This includes the option of learners completing self-assessments as well.</li></ul><h4 data-block-key="c8qo3"><br/><b>Manage</b></h4><ul><li data-block-key="1sap7">OpenID Connect will be supported natively in Mahara, which simplifies the use of Microsoft Azure AD, for example.</li><li data-block-key="ft7f3">Experimental support for dark mode for accessibility.</li><li data-block-key="f9e7j">Managing accounts in Mahara via single sign-on to have one account for all sites that require a login on the community infrastructure, in particular the community website and our Git instance.<br/></li></ul><p data-block-key="fa9po">The Mahara team will also be pre-planning for the medium term roadmap with the following:</p><ul><li data-block-key="1fvcr">Developing a principle based framework for data and tech, so it’s clearer to Mahara community members how the Mahara project perceives data and tech. This will cover such things as data privacy, data residency, principles around open source, and integrations.</li><li data-block-key="7u9pc">Beginning a wider usability review, so the team can know where to focus future efforts to improve Mahara.</li><li data-block-key="97cd5">Researching and planning a new portfolio look.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="6m5oj"><b>Mahara medium term roadmap</b></h3><p data-block-key="8320e">The medium term roadmap covers one to two years, up to the release in 2026.</p><h4 data-block-key="br82c"><b>Create</b></h4><ul><li data-block-key="erbfd">Implementing a new portfolio look based on the findings in the short term roadmap.</li><li data-block-key="6gpqd">Reviewing findings from AI projects for potential meaningful integration.</li><li data-block-key="1q1f7">Adding the ability to map artefacts against standards using a rubric.</li><li data-block-key="dc31o">Connecting external file storage, for example, Nextcloud, Google Drive, and OneDrive.</li><li data-block-key="a43em">Adding forms for scaffolding learner responses.</li></ul><h4 data-block-key="54tlu"><b>Engage</b></h4><ul><li data-block-key="abg3u">Improving secret URLs so only specified people can access the link, even if they don&#x27;t have an account.</li><li data-block-key="90gor">Inviting someone to comment via &#x27;@name&#x27;, which has become a standard on many social media platforms.</li><li data-block-key="cf9bg">Being able to submit group portfolios for assessment.</li><li data-block-key="otde">Adding better assessment options that need to be more defined.</li><li data-block-key="2blgm">Improving sharing options to make sharing on social media easier.</li></ul><h4 data-block-key="5qpek"><b>Manage</b></h4><ul><li data-block-key="fch5q">Becoming a Learning Tools Operability (LTI) consumer so Mahara is the primary platform and other platforms can connect to it, such as BigBlueButton, virtual classroom software.</li><li data-block-key="3skbq">Enabling data to be exported with full data references in JSON format, which will lead to improved GDPR compliance, for example.</li><li data-block-key="5jrlr">Including a template library to find and use shared templates more easily.</li><li data-block-key="2716v">Ensuring Mahara is <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/understanding-wcag-2-2-guidelines?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-updates-and-features-roadmap&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG 2.2+ compliant</a>.</li><li data-block-key="ce5fl">Implementing usability changes.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="1qu2k"><b>Mahara long term roadmap</b></h3><p data-block-key="7o0u0">The long term roadmap covers the remaining three years, 2026-2029.</p><h4 data-block-key="7c8jp"><b>Create</b></h4><ul><li data-block-key="39mrg">Tighter integration with Mahara Mobile so it’s easier for learners to collect evidence through their mobile devices and add it to portfolios in a more straightforward way.</li><li data-block-key="b3tf5">Visualising portfolio content.</li><li data-block-key="8sha8">Including an offline portfolio editor so learners can work on their portfolios even without an internet connection.</li><li data-block-key="2vn5j">Adding functionality to create content in multiple languages.</li></ul><h4 data-block-key="e0gt7"><b>Engage</b></h4><ul><li data-block-key="fipph">Becoming a Learning Record Store, so all learning records are stored in Mahara.</li><li data-block-key="9v5cc">Adding collaborative synchronous editing.</li><li data-block-key="7q1nh">Becoming an Open Badge issuer and more flexible displayer.</li></ul><h4 data-block-key="fgh5v"><b>Manage</b></h4><ul><li data-block-key="7nb3c">Developing a flexible role system, so you can tailor your roles to your organisation.</li><li data-block-key="83a7r">Easier web service connections.</li><li data-block-key="d7ocd">Easier plugin management.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="872cc"><b>Staying up to date with Mahara</b></h2><p data-block-key="l1hj">The Mahara roadmap is built on community input, is open to feedback, and will evolve over time. At the time of publishing, the roadmap reflects features suggestions from the community and the project team. If you’d like to contribute suggestions or support the development of certain features, you can <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-updates-and-features-roadmap&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact the Mahara team at Catalyst</a>.</p><p data-block-key="7kqmc">To hear the latest news about Mahara, you can sign up for <a href="https://eepurl.com/h_r2Rb?mtm_campaign=mahara-q1-2024-wr-429375&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-updates-and-features-roadmap&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst’s Mahara newsletter</a> or <a href="https://podcast.mahara.org/?mtm_campaign=mahara-q1-2024-wr-429375&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=mahara-updates-and-features-roadmap&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">listen to our podcast</a> hosted by Kristina Hoeppner, the Mahara project lead at Catalyst ‘Create. Share. Engage.’</p>

Mahara roadmap Major works for the next five years

<p data-block-key="4jznf">The Mahara team at Catalyst is pleased to release its product roadmap which is influenced by community input. It captures the direction that the Mahara team is taking over the next five years.</p>

mahara-updates-and-features-roadmap

<p data-block-key="qrvbf">Catalyst are strong supporters of diversity in the IT sector. So, to celebrate <a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024</a>, we are sharing insights into some of the amazing women who work at Catalyst and learning what IWD means to them.</p><h2 data-block-key="9tncu">Meet Katrina Bassett, Chief Operating Officer at Catalyst.</h2><h3 data-block-key="3su1q">Tell us about your career journey:</h3><p data-block-key="5po9j">I never expected a career in technology. I started in the not-for-profit sector as a researcher for <a href="https://www.ippnw.org/?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-katrina-bassett&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War</a> and then at <a href="https://www.aotearoa-rmss.org.nz/?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-katrina-bassett&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Refugee and Migrant Service,</a> a refugee resettlement agency.</p><p data-block-key="btfd">I returned to university in my late 20s and did a postgraduate diploma in computer science. The Internet was barely a thing. I was lucky to get my first IT job as a developer at The Web, one of the very first web development companies. The Web was sold to KPMG Consulting, and after a couple of years there, I took a job at Catalyst as a developer.</p><p data-block-key="cign">In 20 years, I&#x27;ve had a lot of different roles – developer, project manager, solution architect, team lead, general manager. It&#x27;s a great thing about Catalyst that people are not tied to a fixed career path.</p><h3 data-block-key="3k0fb">What does International Women&#x27;s Day mean to you?</h3><p data-block-key="avaj2">People have asked why we still celebrate International Women&#x27;s Day – surely women have &#x27;made it&#x27; now? I grew up in the 80s, a time of significant social change. The Springbok tour, our anti-nuclear legislation, and the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill all happened in the space of a few years.</p><p data-block-key="8quj">I was a feminist then (I still am), and at the time, it was a common opinion that women&#x27;s rights were a thing of the past. Despite so-called legal equality, women had limited control over their reproductive rights, many occupations were not open to women, and there was an unhealthy broad opinion that victims of sexual violence generally &#x27;asked for it.&#x27; Through the lens of the 80s, our world has changed significantly, and much of the mainstream opinion is now inconceivable, but that doesn&#x27;t mean there isn&#x27;t a long way to go.</p><p data-block-key="21nss">Without acknowledgement of inequity, not just for women but for all social minorities, nothing changes. International Women&#x27;s Day is a celebration of those who came before and made sacrifices that resulted in me having opportunities they didn&#x27;t have. It is also a challenge to us to advocate for ourselves and future generations, to care for each other, and to demand fair treatment.</p><h3 data-block-key="8qs3h">The International Women&#x27;s Day theme in 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. What do you do personally, or what do you think businesses can do to create a better culture reflecting this?</h3><p data-block-key="7jj0g">Everyone has something to offer and a right to be heard and treated with respect,<i> even</i> people you disagree with. At the moment, our culture is awash with adversarial, polarising politics. Don&#x27;t fall for it.</p><h3 data-block-key="4f9cp">What is the biggest change you have seen in your career supporting inclusion?</h3><p data-block-key="3ub6h">Catalyst is a very different place from the one I started at 20 years ago, which was overwhelmingly male, both in proportion and culture. There&#x27;s been a huge change with regard to inclusion across the board to make us a much less homogeneous place.</p><p data-block-key="aemqn">Catalyst has always provided flexible working arrangements and does a lot to support people with what&#x27;s happening in their lives. This includes people with families but also those with other needs. While this doesn&#x27;t seem particularly revolutionary these days, it&#x27;s a huge help to plan around school pickups/drop-offs and take time off as needed.</p><h3 data-block-key="foa1v">What&#x27;s one thing you hope to see change in the future to help empower more women in the workforce?</h3><ul><li data-block-key="bafo8">We still have a significant pay gap and a glass ceiling.</li><li data-block-key="1c62a">Pay equity for predominantly female roles.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="a81e6">What one thing are you most proud of in your life?</h3><p data-block-key="b6r3o">Admitting I didn&#x27;t know what I was doing and going back to retrain in a predominantly (teenage) male environment as an adult student. That decision completely changed my life.</p><h3 data-block-key="3vc2q">What&#x27;s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?</h3><p data-block-key="15f5j">Social change takes time. Stand up for what you believe, but understand that people are a product of their time and place. Just because they don&#x27;t agree or don&#x27;t understand, it doesn&#x27;t make them bad or mean they can&#x27;t change.</p>

Katrina Basset, Chief Operating Officer, explains her thoughts on how businesses can be more inclusive

<p data-block-key="8t867">To celebrate International Women&#x27;s Day, 8 March 2024, we&#x27;re profiling some of the amazing women working at Catalyst. Meet Katrina Bassett, Chief Operating Officer.</p>

iwd-2024-meet-katrina-bassett-chief-operating-officer

<p data-block-key="2j06z"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/silverstripe?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.catalyst.net.nz/silverstripe?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link</a>When choosing a Content Management System (CMS) you’ll want one that enables your business strategy and is easy to use – Silverstripe is a good option for both. In this blog post, we’ll cover the eight reasons why we think you’ll love Silverstripe.</p><h2 data-block-key="fp1r0">8 reasons <b>to use</b> Silverstripe</h2><h3 data-block-key="5bku2">1. Silverstripe is flexible and extensible</h3><p data-block-key="8g648">As Silverstripe is an open source CMS, you can add functionality and features, and customise it for your specific business requirements. You can do this through creating extensions or modules which are similar to plugins. You can install or develop modules yourself if you have in-house expertise. Or, you can ask a <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/silverstripe?mtm_campaign=cms-campaign-q1-2024-wr-429376&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">trusted expert</a> to create them for you. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">To learn more about modules, check out our blog post.</a></p><h3 data-block-key="anhhp">2. It&#x27;s open source software</h3><p data-block-key="4t0aj">Silverstripe’s source code is publicly available and can be edited by your development team and the wider, global Silverstripe community, so:</p><ul><li data-block-key="8ce9q">when new features are created, developers can share them with other Silverstripe users.</li><li data-block-key="e1utr">if someone submits a change or feature that the Silverstripe team approves for wider use, you can also use this in your own solutions without contributing to the code yourself.</li><li data-block-key="9f35o">if your developers create a new feature your team can’t stop raving about, you can submit this for the wider community to use.</li></ul><p data-block-key="kuev">Also: there are <b>no licensing fees</b> to use Silverstripe.</p><h3 data-block-key="fq8a2">3. Silverstripe is a great headless CMS option</h3><p data-block-key="84um4">A website built with Silverstripe CMS can deliver content in one of two ways:</p><ol><li data-block-key="41h64"><b>Traditional:</b> A traditional CMS assumes the content will be displayed on a web browser and is presented in a well-designed template.</li><li data-block-key="11qmt"><b>Headless:</b> A ‘headless CMS&#x27; allows you to manage all the <i>information</i> for a website separately from the <i>presentation</i> layer (the place with which users interact and which displays the information). The two parts are managed by different software, and the content is put into a &#x27;machine-readable’ format. The separation of the two allows you to reuse content via multiple channels, such as a mobile app or a third-party website. Also, the separation means content authors don&#x27;t need to worry about the technical side of the CMS.</li></ol><h3 data-block-key="8rv5i"><br/>4. It has a clear product roadmap</h3><p data-block-key="47chh">It’s important to know where a product is heading, along with the reasoning behind its planned changes – especially when it&#x27;s a tool you rely on to enable your business strategy. Silverstripe has a <a href="https://www.silverstripe.org/software/roadmap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">clear roadmap</a> providing users and developers with life cycle developments right up until 2028. The roadmap includes:</p><ul><li data-block-key="625dg">Minor and major release announcements</li><li data-block-key="2d6fv">Bug and security fixes</li><li data-block-key="b576g">Legacy version end-of-life (EOL) timelines</li><li data-block-key="eri6">Active support and development timelines.</li></ul><p data-block-key="1p13g">The transparency of Silverstripe&#x27;s roadmap means your team, or <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/3-signs-youve-found-the-perfect-cms-partner?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Silverstripe partner</a>, can:</p><ul><li data-block-key="8c2fk">prepare and plan around updates to ensure your business priorities aren’t impacted</li><li data-block-key="4ioop">understand what new features are on the way and prevent development duplication</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="a2n2l"><br/>5. It offers flexible page-based workflows</h3><p data-block-key="6lg36">Silverstripe is easy to use and customise as a content author. When using Silverstripe, you can choose what layout you’d prefer to work with. For example, a traditional layout typically includes the following:</p><ul><li data-block-key="7li5n">Title</li><li data-block-key="egb3q">Tagline</li><li data-block-key="b5r67">Content.</li></ul><p data-block-key="f173h">Alternatively, you can work with a ‘block’ based functionality through the <a href="https://github.com/silverstripe/silverstripe-elemental" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">elemental module</a>. The Silverstripe elemental module enables you to use content blocks to configure advanced page layouts without developer support. Advanced layouts include:</p><ul><li data-block-key="9camv">Forms</li><li data-block-key="2j07b">Banners</li><li data-block-key="chnml">Adverts.</li></ul><p data-block-key="9seod">Silverstripe&#x27;s default <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_architecture" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA (Information Architecture)</a> is where you build and arrange your site&#x27;s content. However, there may be times when you want to display your content differently from the options provided. For instance, if you&#x27;d like to display content in a table, you can use the <a href="https://github.com/silverstripe/silverstripe-lumberjack" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lumberjack module</a>.</p><p data-block-key="347eo">It&#x27;s easy to assume that only page-orientated content can be added to a workflow. But in Silverstripe, all content objects, including pages, are data records stored in a database. If you require each layout component to pass through a pre-determined set of stages before being available to an audience, Silverstripe can be configured to do so.</p><h3 data-block-key="e9s6j">6. Silverstripe is well-suited to complex integrations</h3><p data-block-key="5uc42">Silverstripe is built with extensibility and secure means of communicating with external systems such as public-facing websites and apps. For example, you may want to display a news report on a website or show the weather feed from another source. Alternatively, you may need to link to APIs and data lakes storing complex and unique requirements. While some data providers like DMSs and LMSs permit access to data via APIs, Silverstripe has built-in components for querying and displaying local and remote data from databases to display external content.</p><h3 data-block-key="10kuh">7. It’s easy to add new fields in Silverstripe</h3><p data-block-key="8ifba">It&#x27;s easy for developers to add new fields to pages in Silverstripe for content authors to use. Fields are customisable to support the presentation of relevant information on a page. For example, if you have a cooking website, you could have a field for the amount of time it takes for prep and the amount of time it takes to cook. Or, if you&#x27;d like to add the published date of a blog post, you can do that too.</p><h3 data-block-key="egl0c">8. It has a strong NZ and global community</h3><p data-block-key="42g5m">Silverstripe was created in 2000 in New Zealand&#x27;s capital, Wellington, where its headquarters remain. Today, it has a strong global community, with developer input and support for:</p><ul><li data-block-key="b8vhb">sharing ideas</li><li data-block-key="2fle">access to support</li><li data-block-key="chpms">solving problems</li><li data-block-key="dj61t">exchanging knowledge</li><li data-block-key="fnltb">connection and development of networks.</li></ul><p data-block-key="8qto7">Furthermore, Silverstripe has community spaces on <a href="https://silverstripe-users.slack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Slack</a> and the <a href="https://forum.silverstripe.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Silverstripe forum</a>.</p><p data-block-key="c9pug">Catalyst has been developing websites and web apps based on Silverstripe since 2014, and we&#x27;re proud to support local software vendors and products.</p><h2 data-block-key="pn1h">Catalyst Starter – a pre-built Silverstripe solution for great quality, fast</h2><p data-block-key="b23lh"><a href="https://www.design.catalyst.net.nz/?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst Starter</a> is a pre-built Silverstripe theme developed by Catalyst. Our team built Catalyst Starter from the ground up as a solution to evolving and complex government CMS website requirements. Since then, our team has invested expertise to ensure Catalyst Starter suits the needs of government, enterprise, and not-for-profit organisations. So, whether you’re communicating the latest policy updates or creating a brochureware website, you should check out the power of Catalyst Starter. Shown below are five bonus points on why Catalyst Starter is a great out-of-the-box solution.</p><p data-block-key="94m5u"></p><div>
    <iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rjLDvET4Eqc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen title="Catalyst Starter demo video"></iframe>
</div>
<p data-block-key="dq0v1"></p><h3 data-block-key="dg86r">1. Catalyst Starter has a solid foundation</h3><p data-block-key="9pqkp">Catalyst Starter is based on the solid foundations of Silverstripe CMS v5. Plus, Catalyst Starter has tried and tested features meaning you can accelerate your CMS goals. Pre-built features and functionality included in Catalyst Starter as standard are:</p><ul><li data-block-key="b2el1">responsive page content</li><li data-block-key="70rqt">common page types</li><li data-block-key="iavv">common block-content types</li><li data-block-key="bsmjk">user-configurable forms</li><li data-block-key="1h3nd">social media management</li><li data-block-key="6vogf">analytics.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="dp74j">2. It has quality assurance</h3><p data-block-key="bdr1c">To ensure the highest quality Catalyst Starter has been through rigorous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_assurance" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Quality Assurance (QA)</a> testing. QA testing ensures your CMS is fit for purpose, reliable, maintainable, and meets performance expectations and design. Additionally, you can request to add automated scripts for any specific business needs, such as detecting dead content links.</p><h3 data-block-key="fa8q7">3. Catalyst Starter has regular maintenance, security updates, and hosting</h3><p data-block-key="1nj9e">Catalyst is committed to maintaining, developing and patching Catalyst Starter for the long-term. We offer a full-service wrapper that includes regular maintenance, patching, updates, hosting, and more.</p><p data-block-key="77oul">Furthermore, Catalyst Starter can be hosted on any cloud infrastructure from Azure to AWS or, our personal favourite, New Zealand providers like <a href="https://catalystcloud.nz/?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst Cloud</a> that offer sovereign hosting solutions. Sovereign hosting means your data doesn&#x27;t belong to anyone but you and anyone you&#x27;ve authorised to access it. And because Catalyst Cloud is <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/27001" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 27001</a> and <a href="https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">PCI-DSS certified</a>, you can guarantee your data is protected to the highest requirements.</p><h3 data-block-key="8ppgi">4. Time to market</h3><p data-block-key="8jmvr">Since Catalyst Starter is a ready to go, out-of-the-box solution it can be a great option for completing a website project quickly or for organisations with tighter budgets. Essentially, because you can deliver your new website faster, you can also continue enabling your wider business goals with your new website. Furthermore, quality isn&#x27;t compromised just because it can be delivered faster. In fact, our team can also ensure your brand identity and any additional functionality you need is factored into your project too. And, when the website is live, handy features like a WYSIWYG builder mean you can build and preview content simultaneously, optimising your workflow.</p><h3 data-block-key="cla0u">5. Meets WCAG 2.1 guidelines</h3><p data-block-key="7ipuo">In 2023, <a href="https://webaim.org/projects/million/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WebAIM</a> recorded an average of 50 accessibility errors per homepage. It&#x27;s a human right to access information, and we believe there shouldn&#x27;t be any barriers to prevent access, let alone 50. Catalyst Starter is built with accessibility front of mind and in line with the WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Since disabilities come in all shapes and sizes, following WCAG ensures all aspects of digital accessibility are covered. You can <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">learn more about WCAG in our blog.</a></p><h2 data-block-key="c5gip">CMS support</h2><p data-block-key="d6ld">At Catalyst, we’re Silverstripe partners whose dedicated development team has more than forty years of experience combined. Our full-wrapper service covers your website end-to-end, from hosting to design, customisations, and more. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/cms-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Contact us today</a> to discuss if Silverstripe could be a great CMS choice for your organisation.</p>

<p data-block-key="0jrs9">When choosing a Content Management System (CMS) you’ll want one that enables your business strategy and is easy to use – Silverstripe is a good option for both. In this blog post, we’ll cover the eight reasons why we think you’ll love Silverstripe.</p>

8-reasons-to-use-silverstripe-cms

<p data-block-key="otfj6">Catalyst are strong supporters of diversity in the IT sector. So, to celebrate <a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024</a>, we are sharing insights into some of the amazing women who work at Catalyst and learning what IWD means to them.</p><h3 data-block-key="63t1p">Meet Aleisha Amohia, Technical Lead, Rōpū kohinga.</h3><h4 data-block-key="eh2vc">Tell us about your career journey:</h4><p data-block-key="74ti7">I was introduced to Catalyst in 2014 when I was 15 years old by participating in the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/academy?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-aleisha-amohia&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst Open Source Academy</a>. At that time, I was working the checkouts at New World supermarket. However, I left at the end of that year to start a developer internship in Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst (called the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/koha-library-management?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-aleisha-amohia&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Koha</a> team at the time). After two months, it became a permanent part-time position while I finished high school.</p><p data-block-key="116ip">I continued to work part-time while I studied at Victoria University of Wellington, increasing my hours over the semester holidays. I was also among the first recipients of the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/catalyst-open-source-scholarships?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-aleisha-amohia&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst Open Source scholarship</a>, which was $2,000 yearly for three years of study. It made a big difference over what ended up being four years of a conjoint programme. In 2020, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science and specialising in Artificial Intelligence, and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Management and minoring in Information Systems. Post-study, I easily transitioned into working full-time at Catalyst. In late 2022, I was promoted to my current role as Technical Lead.</p><p data-block-key="ech18">Outside the office, I’ve been heavily involved in activism and volunteering. While studying, I was part of founding the <a href="https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/recreation/clubs-and-societies/directory/vuw-women-in-tech-vuwwit?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-aleisha-amohia&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VUW Women in Tech</a> club, which grew to over 200 members and won a few VUW Gold Awards under my leadership. Ultimately, that guided me into the gender equity space, and I now work with a bunch of New Zealand NGOs focussing on gender issues, including the <a href="https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-aleisha-amohia&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Council of Women</a>, <a href="https://www.ywca.org.nz/?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-aleisha-amohia&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YWCA</a>, and more. I’ve also been involved in groups advocating for Indigenous justice, typically in the technology sector.</p><h4 data-block-key="9bjoh">What does International Women&#x27;s Day mean to you?</h4><p data-block-key="8fsoc">International Women’s Day (IWD) is an opportunity to remind Aotearoa that we have not yet achieved gender equity. Women having the right to vote, while a crucial and significant moment in history, did not solve gender inequity. There are still wrongs to right and systems to redesign or dismantle entirely. IWD is a symbol of the continued need for feminism specifically because it acknowledges that society is designed to favour men over other genders. IWD is also a reminder that there is more complexity to life than gender, and our feminism needs to be intersectional to represent the needs of a diverse society.</p><h4 data-block-key="fr9f8">The IWD theme in 2024 is &#x27;Inspire Inclusion&#x27;. What do you do personally, or what do you think businesses can do to create a better culture reflecting this?</h4><p data-block-key="42hk">I would like to see people and businesses embrace the <a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme?mtm_campaign=catalyst-brand&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=iwd-2024-meet-aleisha-amohia&amp;mtm_group=all&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IWD 2024 Inspire Inclusion</a> theme in transformational and courageous ways. Yes, we need to inspire the inclusion of women, and we can do this through storytelling, amplifying, and celebrating women. We must also inspire the inclusion of trans women and gender-diverse folk in their activism and celebration. We must inspire the inclusion of the other factors that may impact a person’s experience of life when addressing gender issues, such as race, skin colour, disability, and colonisation. I want businesses to be inspired to change their policy and processes to reflect inclusion, including hiring processes, pay transparency, pay gap reporting, and rewards.</p><p data-block-key="ek66e">Personally, I try to inspire inclusion by allowing myself to be inspired by diverse thinkers and leaders. I ensure my worldview is informed by people and groups actively embodying inclusive practices and trying to improve society. It allows me to be better prepared when the communities I belong to need me to inspire inclusion on their behalf.</p><h4 data-block-key="ad3ce">What is the biggest change you have seen in your career supporting inclusion?</h4><p data-block-key="b73a">One of my favourite initiatives I’ve seen undertaken by Catalyst and other organisations is placing menstrual products in the bathrooms. At Catalyst, these products and sanitary bins are in all the bathrooms, not just the women’s. Our people team regularly checks the product stock and keeps it topped up, no questions asked. It’s an initiative that removes some of the taboo around periods (a completely natural experience for over half of the population) and makes people feel seen by their workplace.</p><h3 data-block-key="563gn">What&#x27;s one thing you hope to see change in the future to help empower more women in the workforce?</h3><p data-block-key="bqu2q">Pay gaps and a lack of pay transparency hinder women&#x27;s success in the workforce. I hope to see the implementation of mandatory pay gap reporting so that women have the numbers to back up their salary negotiations and so people can hold their employers accountable. Other pay transparency initiatives include the disclosure of pay bands and the removal of silence clauses from contracts – there is plenty of research that confirms pay secrecy benefits employers more than it benefits employees.</p><h4 data-block-key="df64l">What one thing are you most proud of in your life?</h4><p data-block-key="3osl">I am most proud of the connections and opportunities I’ve been able to facilitate for others through my work, both paid and voluntary. It takes trust and energy to speak and act for the communities I represent, and often, progress is hard to quantify. When the people in those communities are thriving and succeeding, I know it has been worth it.</p><h4 data-block-key="7r2ne">What&#x27;s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?</h4><p data-block-key="6o6et">Save your energy for those who support and uplift you, and surround yourself with them.</p>

Aleisha Amohia, Rōpū kohinga Technical Lead explains what International WOmens Day 2024 means to her

<p data-block-key="aj61i">To celebrate International Women&#x27;s Day, 8 March 2024, we&#x27;re profiling some of the amazing women working at Catalyst, starting with Aleisha Amohia, Rōpū kohinga Technical Lead.</p>

iwd-2024-meet-aleisha-ropu-kohinga-technical-lead

<p data-block-key="agy42">Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst was thrilled to attend two user groups for Koha libraries in Aotearoa, New Zealand, in February 2024. Discover the insights from the event below.</p><p data-block-key="87ro8"></p><img alt="Alex Buckley presenting about the Koha reports module at the AUT-hosted user group in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland" class="richtext-image right-align-wrap" height="375" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Alex_Buckley_presenting_about_the_Koha_reports.width-500.jpg" width="500"><p data-block-key="5g92i"></p><h2 data-block-key="7odoi">Highlights from Koha user groups, 2024</h2><p data-block-key="1ifd3"><a href="https://www.aut.ac.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Auckland University of Technology</a> hosted the first Koha user group at their City Campus in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. The event spanned two days, with the first day dedicated to presentations and discussions while the second day focused on hands-on training and workshops.</p><h3 data-block-key="ae6bv">1. Koha updates</h3><p data-block-key="buf5g">Koha libraries based in the upper North Island are excited about the new features and enhancements introduced in recent system releases. Additionally, Alex Buckley, Rōpū kohinga Developer, provided insights into the anticipated changes in <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/release-of-koha-23-11?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=kanohi-ki-te-kanohi-with-the-koha-community&amp;mtm_group=library-management-systems&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Koha 23.11</a> during the presentation.</p><h3 data-block-key="dn527">2. Open source works for any organisation</h3><p data-block-key="3qbbs">AUT Open Source Initiatives Lead, Craig Murdoch, presented why open source software works for AUT and repeatedly praised Catalyst’s support on their recent project. Furthermore, he emphasized how open source helps those working with the systems. “It makes you smarter, better at your job, makes you think harder, improves creativity, confidence, and critical thinking” said Craig</p><h3 data-block-key="fn3d5">3. The benefits of Koha Library Management</h3><p data-block-key="5l011">The following week, the <a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/history-and-buildings/buildings-and-grounds/parliamentary-library/?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=kanohi-ki-te-kanohi-with-the-koha-community&amp;mtm_group=library-management-systems&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Parliamentary Library</a> hosted a user group in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. The session, held in the morning, included presentations and sharing of knowledge. Plus, participants engaged in discussions about how they have expanded the functionality of Koha by:</p><ul><li data-block-key="c0ja3">Integrating it with other platforms.</li><li data-block-key="av7mq">Customising it to meet the specific needs of their organisation.</li></ul><p data-block-key="5kmsv"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/koha-library-management?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=kanohi-ki-te-kanohi-with-the-koha-community&amp;mtm_group=library-management-systems&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Koha is open-source</a> and driven by community involvement. And, these meetings highlighted the wealth of knowledge and ideas within the Aotearoa New Zealand Koha community. Additionally, there was enthusiasm for more frequent online meetings and collaboration between these regional events at both user groups.</p><p data-block-key="86lk9">Rōpū kohinga enjoys hearing how Koha enables organisations to share knowledge and access resources. Plus, there is a warmth in the user group meetings that is unique to the Koha community. Rōpū kohinga looks forward to the next opportunity to discuss Koha over coffee and get kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face-to-face) with the libraries they work so closely with each day.</p><h2 data-block-key="7ki3g">Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst</h2><p data-block-key="577sk">If you have any questions about the work Rōpū kohinga is involved with or would like support with your Koha instance, <a href="mailto:koha-support@catalyst.net.nz">email our team.</a></p><p data-block-key="f3p4a">Lastly, you can stay informed about our library management initiatives and upcoming Koha events by <a href="https://catalyst.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=62457ff5060d15ee3c07d3fc4&amp;id=b73fbdcac8&amp;mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=kanohi-ki-te-kanohi-with-the-koha-community&amp;mtm_group=library-management-systems&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">subscribing to our newsletter.</a></p>

Alex Buckley presenting about the Koha reports module at the AUT-hosted user group in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

<p data-block-key="5nmfp">In February 2024, the Koha community gathered at regional events in Auckland and Wellington. Check out the highlights shared by Rōpū kohinga.</p>

kanohi-ki-te-kanohi-with-the-koha-community

<p data-block-key="peh32">Knowing the best approach to designing new content can be challenging for instructional designers. Additionally, trends and technology change as quickly as the needs of our learners. In New Zealand, a growing trend in the eLearning landscape is microlearning. So, in this blog post, we compare microlearning with traditional eLearning and examine which works better.</p><h2 data-block-key="aapuo"><b>Traditional eLearning</b></h2><p data-block-key="d24vg">With the rise of the internet and personal computers, eLearning took the learning and development world by storm. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-fix-scorm-rot-in-your-lms-2023?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SCORM 1.2</a> was introduced in 2001 and represented the standardisation of eLearning format. Today, it is still the most popular eLearning format.</p><p data-block-key="cl62c">Furthermore, the introduction of a standard format paved the way for the new technologies to support eLearning:</p><ul><li data-block-key="4m6r3"><b>Learning Management Systems</b>: An LMS, like <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tōtara</a>, hosts eLearning modules and keeps records of module completion.</li><li data-block-key="1ev9j"><b>Rapid Development Tools (RDT):</b> These tools enabled eLearning content to be built and published as a SCORM package without coding knowledge. These tools were key to the availability and growth of eLearning.</li></ul><p data-block-key="eauhs">However, early eLearning was text-heavy, with multiple-choice questions to break up the content. But, as technology improved eLearning began to include more interactive activities, audio and video.</p><h3 data-block-key="c99ps"><b>Characteristics of traditional eLearning</b></h3><p data-block-key="7aobo">Traditional eLearning was an alternative to classroom learning. The common characteristics of traditional eLearning are:</p><ul><li data-block-key="2l2f5"><b>Long modules:</b> eLearning modules are typically more than 30 minutes and require the learner to have dedicated time to complete them.</li><li data-block-key="bp7sv"><b>Locked navigation:</b> Learners need to complete the module in a particular order. Interaction completion is tracked to ensure the learner has clicked on everything before moving on. Concepts are delivered in order and build on each other.</li><li data-block-key="fhtgh"><b>Optimised for at-desk learning:</b> Content is optimised for laptops and desktops and doesn&#x27;t perform well on tablets and phones.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="521bp"><b>Microlearning</b></h2><p data-block-key="ami2c">While the term has been around since the 1960s, it grew in popularity with the introduction of smartphones - we suddenly had access to the internet in the palm of our hand. Furthermore, platforms like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a> made it possible for everyone to create and consume microlearning content in the form of short videos.</p><h3 data-block-key="sbuj"><b>Characteristics of microlearning</b></h3><p data-block-key="maho">Typically, microlearning is characterised by:</p><ul><li data-block-key="2bi6h"><b>Highly focused content</b> <b>–</b> 1-15 minute bite-sized lessons. Each lesson is designed to address a specific concept concisely.</li><li data-block-key="b8kpr"><b>Uses a wide range of technologies and media formats.</b></li><li data-block-key="31se5"><b>Enhanced knowledge retention:</b> Delivering content in small chunks enables learners to absorb and retain key concepts more effectively. Additionally, multiple lessons can be provided on a specific topic to reinforce learning and support different learning styles.</li><li data-block-key="6cl8c"><b>Optimised for just-in-time learning:</b> Bite-sized modules are easy to access as needed.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="3aqfc"><b>Traditional eLearning content vs. microlearning</b></h2><p data-block-key="d1aot">Now, let’s take a look at the difference in benefits of traditional eLearning vs. microlearning.</p><h3 data-block-key="8fap0"><b>Traditional eLearning benefits</b></h3><ul><li data-block-key="3m1j0"><b>Consistency:</b> eLearning supports consistent delivery of content - this is helpful in organisations to ensure policies and procedures are followed by all staff.</li><li data-block-key="8n7bg"><b>Complex concepts</b>: Traditional eLearning can more effectively handle complex concepts by providing deep and comprehensive topic coverage. Additionally, learners can explore the concepts and theories and apply them through scenarios.</li><li data-block-key="295qk"><b>Flexibility:</b> eLearning can happen at the learner&#x27;s desk at a time that suits them.</li><li data-block-key="dhpj2"><b>Strong analytics:</b> eLearning analytics can be collected and provide learning and development professionals valuable insight into how and when learning is accessed.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="c340u"><b>Microlearning benefits</b></h3><ul><li data-block-key="fgk1j"><b>Highly adaptable:</b> By breaking large courses into small microlearning modules, a more personalised experience can be delivered to learners. Plus, microlearning modules can be adapted to meet the individual needs of a learner or a group.</li><li data-block-key="1351f"><b>Gamification:</b> The quick completion time of microlearning naturally fits into <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">gamifying courses</a> which can be appealing to learners. For example, achieving badges or points as they progress. Furthermore, adding game-like elements to learning can increase learner motivation and engagement.</li><li data-block-key="94oue"><b>Tool versatility:</b> Microlearning empowers L&amp;D professionals to explore more modern content creation tools and migrate from RDT and SCORM. For example, <a href="https://h5p.org/?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">H5P</a> is a great alternative to <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/scorm-expert-stop-publishing-new-scorm-content?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SCORM</a> and allows you to have many responses and accessible lessons. Introducing a range of tools and activities means you can flex your content to support learning styles.</li><li data-block-key="6a3vp"><b>Knowledge retention:</b> These short bursts of learning, delivered just in time, aim to defeat the <a href="https://practicalpie.com/ebbinghaus-forgetting-curve/?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20most%20of%20the%20forgetting%20occurs%20within%20the%20first%20hour%20of%20learning.%20And%20that%E2%80%99s%20not%20all.%20After%20a%20day%20or%20two%2C%20we%20typically%20forget%20around%2075%25%20of%20what%20we%20have%20learned." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ebbinghaus forgetting curve</a>. Microlearning modules also provide the option for learners to revisit and refresh their understanding as they need to.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="6difo"><b>So, which works better?</b></h2><p data-block-key="409uq">When comparing traditional eLearning and microlearning, try not to get caught up answering &quot;Which one works better?&quot;. Asking this question can lead us down a path of forcing everything into the same solution. Instead, become comfortable with multiple eLearning design strategies and allow the topic to guide the content design.</p><p data-block-key="1ig3b">There are also concepts from microlearning that can be used in traditional eLearning to improve the learner experience and <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-can-edtech-help-re-engage-disengaged-students-online?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">engagement</a> too. For example:</p><ul><li data-block-key="a85ku">Publish your SCORM modules in small chunks. This improves known SCORM performance issues and makes it easier for learners to progress through the content in their own time.</li><li data-block-key="6h7pu">Remove locked navigation and empower learners to explore the content in a way that suits their learning preferences.</li><li data-block-key="bnq9l">Explore different content creation tools to add some variety to your eLearning offerings.</li></ul><p data-block-key="31nt7">There is no one-size-fits-all out there. Instead, focus on the strengths of the two solutions and how to use them effectively to deliver a powerful and adaptable learning ecosystem.</p><p data-block-key="fe2a">And, of course, if you need support to create engaging eLearning content – traditional or micro - <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our team of instructional designers is ready to help.</a></p>

Questioning whether microlearning is more effective than traditional eLearning

<p data-block-key="915ok">Wondering whether you should create your next eLearning course in a traditional format or develop a microlearning option? Read this to help you decide which will work best.</p>

traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning

<p data-block-key="1pk0e">In November 2023, Chris Cormack (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) and Aleisha Amohia (Te Atihaunui a Paparangi, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Hāua, Cambodia, India) attended the International Indigenous Librarians Conference (IILF). Aleisha attended IILF with support from Catalyst and funding from the <a href="https://www.communitymatters.govt.nz/lottery-ministers-discretionary-fund/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lottery Minister’s Discretionary Fund</a> and <a href="https://www.atihau.com/te-atihau-trust" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Te Āti Hau Trust.</a> Chris attended in his own capacity to support his Indigenous cousins. Together, they addressed &#x27;Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Libraries&#x27; in their presentation, emphasising its relevance to Māori Data Sovereignty. Catalyst tautoko their attendance and advocates for the importance of data sovereignty. The following article is written with the permission of Chris and Aleisha.</p><h2 data-block-key="efpsg">How information sharing has changed</h2><p data-block-key="ehlq2">Information and knowledge sharing have evolved drastically from the earliest prehistoric drawing discovered 73,000 years ago. Roll forward 33,000 years, and you’ll find the earliest cave paintings. Skip ahead to around AD600-900, and books appear in China. Essentially, storytelling and information-sharing date back millennia. Today, it looks more like binary code in a server somewhere in the world, waiting to be called upon. But, fundamentally, we are still sharing information and trying to make (or use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to predict) stories and actionable insights. So, consider this: Can you identify the extent of personal data you&#x27;ve shared in the past five years alone? Do you know the location of the servers it&#x27;s stored on and what regulations protect your data? What if you were unhappy with how your data was represented....would you want the opportunity to reclaim it?</p><h2 data-block-key="8n923">Understanding data through a te ao Māori lens</h2><p data-block-key="4ppbe">Have you ever skipped to the last page of a book to see how the story ends? From then on, you know the outcome. You can make assumptions about what happened previously, but without understanding the story’s lineage, you don’t have an accurate representation of the actual events. Data about who we are is the same. It requires context and precise representation - from the name our parents gave us to our sense of humour when we created that not-so-professional email address ten years ago. Basically, data is a digital extension of self-identity.</p><p data-block-key="5lado">Māori have deep connections with information and knowledge sharing. Furthermore, data is classed as taonga, and kaupapa Māori is always mindful of context – data is no exception. Therefore, data management practices need additional considerations for Māori to protect their data in line with the cultural significance of context, lineage, and as a treasured asset.</p><p data-block-key="q5g0">As outlined by Te Mana Raraunga, <a href="https://www.temanararaunga.maori.nz/nga-rauemi" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Māori data</a> refers to information or knowledge in a digital or digitisable form that is about or from Māori peoples and our environments, regardless of who controls it:</p><ul><li data-block-key="9eajc"><b>Data from Māori (self-generated):</b> Māori/iwi organisations and businesses.</li><li data-block-key="74crv"><b>Data about Māori (generated by others):</b> <a href="https://www.stats.govt.nz/integrated-data/integrated-data-infrastructure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI)</a></li><li data-block-key="fc4ug"><b>Data about Māori resources (self and/or others):</b> Māori land.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="7craa">The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and IDSov</h2><p data-block-key="allia">In 2007, the <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)</a> came into play. It lays down basic standards for the survival and well-being of Indigenous peoples. While it isn’t legally binding, it packs a moral punch. In Māori context, those dealing with their data have a moral duty to protect it in line with te ao Māori principles. Indigenous data sovereignty (IDSov) is one option organisations can utilise to support this. Furthermore, there&#x27;s a growing push to ensure Indigenous Peoples are the main beneficiaries of their data, with networks forming globally to safeguard against misuse.</p><h2 data-block-key="22dr0">What is data sovereignty?</h2><p data-block-key="7gom2">Data sovereignty is often considered as when an organisation’s data is stored in another country and, therefore, follows the foreign country’s rules. But, in Chris and Aleisha’s opinion, it&#x27;s more than that. In fact, true data sovereignty means you get to know where your data lives, how it&#x27;s used, and who gets access to it. Transparency and choice are essential.</p><h2 data-block-key="4t645">How can libraries and other organisations better care for Māori data?</h2><h3 data-block-key="vv9s"><br/>1. Familiarise yourself with Māori Data Sovereignty</h3><p data-block-key="er7kg">Te Mana Raraunga, Māori Data Sovereignty Network, created the Principles of Māori Data Sovereignty and highlight:</p><p data-block-key="6ln5v">“<b>Māori Data Sovereignty</b> refers to the inherent rights and interests that Māori have in relation to the collection, ownership, and application of Māori data.”</p><p data-block-key="2bcel">You can read more about the Principles of Māori data sovereignty on <a href="https://www.temanararaunga.maori.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Te Mana Raraunga website.</a></p><h3 data-block-key="7m0h4">2. Appreciate a non-westernised view of data collection, usage, and storage</h3><p data-block-key="7i78e">Aleisha and Chris also shared insights into a few key te ao Māori principles to consider when handling Māori data:</p><ul><li data-block-key="8262o"><b>Rangatiratanga:</b> Control, jurisdiction, and self-determination.</li><li data-block-key="ck7f5"><b>Whakapapa:</b> Context, data disaggregation, and future use.</li><li data-block-key="c9mrg"><b>Whanaungatanga:</b> Balancing rights and accountabilities.</li><li data-block-key="1b1el"><b>Kotahitanga:</b> Benefit, build capacity and connect.</li><li data-block-key="oddi"><b>Manaakitanga:</b> Respect and consent.</li><li data-block-key="8vbmr"><b>Kaitiakitanga:</b> Guardianship, ethics and restrictions.</li></ul><p data-block-key="c7jq1">&quot;He Whakaputanga was - and remains - proof the rangatiratanga and mana of Māori had been clearly articulated. New Zealand had been a sovereign land under the authority of the united tribes before 1840.&quot;</p><p data-block-key="blol"><i>Dr Vincent O&#x27;Malley</i></p><h3 data-block-key="aoeu0">3. Apply the CARE principles</h3><p data-block-key="4uura">Next, they highlighted <a href="https://www.gida-global.org/care" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the CARE Principles created by the Global Indigenous Data Alliance.</a> The CARE Principles:</p><ul><li data-block-key="b5vka">were developed with input from Te Mana Raraunga, Māori Data Sovereignty Network</li><li data-block-key="9d247">highlight the importance of collective benefit authority, responsibility, and ethics in managing research data.</li><li data-block-key="4oths">encourage those working with data to think about people and purpose in their efforts</li><li data-block-key="d9ro4">work alongside the existing <a href="https://force11.org/info/the-fair-data-principles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>FAIR</i></a> Principles.</li></ul><p data-block-key="c806a">If you are an organisation dealing with Māori data, consider how to apply the CARE Principles.</p><h3 data-block-key="797vg">4. Challenge the way ‘it’s always been done’</h3><p data-block-key="66niv">Chris and Aleisha also explained all organisations, regardless of sector, can answer the following basic questions:</p><ul><li data-block-key="42g69">Do you know where data is being stored?</li><li data-block-key="be9mg">Can you get all of it out at any time?</li><li data-block-key="8mnnf">Can you identify Indigenous data?</li><li data-block-key="77o63">What access do you provide for indigenous people to get their data?</li><li data-block-key="2p32f"><b>Should you even be holding it?</b></li></ul><p data-block-key="56mo4">These questions echo the <a href="https://networkcultures.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Good_Data.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>Good Data Manifesto edited by Angela Daly, S. Kate Devitt and Monique Mann.</i></a> If your answers aren’t watertight and honour kaupapa Māori, consider creating a plan of action to close the gap.</p><h2 data-block-key="56rc8">Organisations working on Indigenous data sovereignty</h2><p data-block-key="aejb6">Chris and Aleisha wrapped up their presentation at IILF by sharing other organisations working on IDSov. For example:</p><ul><li data-block-key="cnfk6"><a href="https://www.temanararaunga.maori.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Te Mana Raraunga.</a></li><li data-block-key="16uld"><a href="https://www.kahuiraraunga.io/maoridatagovernance" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Te Kāhui Raraunga(check out the Māori Data Governance Framework).</a></li><li data-block-key="3c2hn"><a href="https://usindigenousdatanetwork.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">US Indigenous Data Sovereignty Network (USIDSN).</a></li><li data-block-key="f8obp"><a href="https://fnigc.ca/ocap-training/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession).</a></li><li data-block-key="dt4n0"><a href="https://www.maiamnayriwingara.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Maiam nayri Wingara.</a></li></ul><h2 data-block-key="1g1cu">The steps you can take to better protect Māori data</h2><p data-block-key="46e2k">Protecting Māori data requires organisations and individuals to challenge westernised understandings of data and embrace the kaupapa of data in line with te ao Māori. Equally, it requires bravery to challenge ‘the norm’ and promote data management strategies. Furthermore, <a href="https://catalystcloud.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sovereign data hosting</a> should be a key consideration to ensure Māori data remains in Aotearoa, New Zealand.</p><p data-block-key="mqrf">If you work in an organisation looking to improve your data management practices in line with te ao Māori, you can <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/general-enquiry-form" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact Chris Cormack, Kaihuawaere Matihiko, Catalyst, for a further kōrero.</a></p><h2 data-block-key="7sb1r">What is the International Indigenous Librarians Conference (IILF)?</h2><p data-block-key="3r35i"><a href="https://trw.org.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Te Rōpū Whakahau</a> initiated the <a href="https://trw.org.nz/professional-development/iilf-international-indigenous-librarians-forum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">International Indigenous Librarians&#x27; Forum (IILF)</a> in 1997. After collaborating with the <a href="https://ailanet.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">American Indian Library Association</a> for two years, the first Forum occurred in Auckland in November 1999. The biennial event features presentations, discussions, and cultural protocols, producing key documents that elevate the community. Each Forum has a key theme tied to the host location. IILF in Hawaiʻi was held from 27-30 November 2023. The theme &quot;Ea: Indigenous Agency and Abundance&quot; challenged indigenous information professionals to breathe life into institutions, fostering independence and sovereignty.</p>

what is indigenous data sovereignty (IDSov): explained by Rōpu kohinga, Catalyst.

<p data-block-key="7pukk">In November 2023, Chris Cormack (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) and Aleisha Amohia (Te Atihaunui a Paparangi, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Hāua, Cambodia, India) attended the International Indigenous Librarians Conference (IILF). Read the coverage of their presentation on Indigenous data sovereignty (IDSov).</p>

understanding-indigenous-data-sovereignty-idsov

<p data-block-key="nz0j1">Keeping on top of Learning Management System (LMS) platform trends ensures you&#x27;ve got all the tools you need for your LMS toolbelt. Being aware of enhancements, trends, and new tools means you can make informed decisions about what works best for you and your learners. For example, how to improve engagement, retention of information, and measure how your LMS content is performing. In this blog post, we’ll cover key LMS trends.</p><h2 data-block-key="7m6jr">A brief overview of the LMS</h2><p data-block-key="21cea">One of the first known instances of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EdTech (educational technology)</a> was created 100 years ago by Sidney L. Pressey, called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_L._Pressey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">‘the teaching machine’.</a> It worked by only allowing you to move on to the next question when you answered correctly, so your learning was self-directed. In 2024, EdTech has come a long way due to vast technological advances including LMSs as a popular teaching method.</p><p data-block-key="bhjep">The adoption of LMS software has skyrocketed post-pandemic, <a href="https://research.com/education/lms-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">with the estimated number of users in 2024 being 73.8 million and likely to continue to grow</a>. This is also reflected in popular LMS platforms, like Moodle which has <a href="https://stats.moodle.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">over 46 million courses worldwide</a> supporting learners. The huge uptake of industries and organisations using LMS software reflects new ways of working across many sectors.</p><ul><li data-block-key="6quuh"><b>Higher education:</b> <a href="https://www.studocu.com/blog/en/e-learning-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">98% of universities have moved their classes online since 2020</a>, providing flexibility to their students and modernising ways of learning.</li><li data-block-key="9ces5"><b>Corporate settings:</b> staff training has shifted to offer more online content due to the increase of hybrid and remote work.</li></ul><p data-block-key="bt57h">Using an LMS means location, time, and delivery of learning and training materials are flexible. Plus, <a href="https://www.studocu.com/blog/en/e-learning-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">compared to traditional learning, corporate e-learning requires 40% to 60% less time to complete.</a> Since LMSs are scalable, updating course content or uploading critical content is an easy task if you’re not working with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/scorm-expert-stop-publishing-new-scorm-content%5D?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">outdated authoring tools</a>.</p><p data-block-key="2g9if">With the increase in the use of LMS platforms, there’s also been a rise in the use of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">artificial intelligence</a> (AI). <a href="https://chat.openai.com/auth/login" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ChatGPT</a> has led the forefront of AI innovation, becoming the fastest-growing application in history with over 100 million active users. Organisations have quickly adapted to working with AI to improve their applications. LMSs, like Moodle, are also utilising AI and as it becomes a norm across many other LMSs too, it’s a good example of how quickly you need to learn and adapt. Knowing what new trends and insights impact your LMS and learners will bolster your learner success strategy.</p><p data-block-key="fe5no">So, we’ve pulled together a few notable LMS trends and insights to improve your LMS for 2024.</p><h2 data-block-key="3m589">9 LMS trends you should focus on for 2024</h2><h3 data-block-key="c63sn">1. Social learning and collaboration</h3><p data-block-key="1vid9">Social features like social media, discussion forums, chat rooms, and messaging apps continue to rise in popularity. By adding a social element to learning you’re supporting learners to connect and support each other as they learn. Plus, the social element of learning means they have the potential to retain knowledge through sharing or teaching others.</p><h3 data-block-key="ffm8l">2. Microlearning</h3><p data-block-key="6afv7"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Microlearning</a> is a way to deliver bite-sized training that is short and concise. And, it’s a great way to shape content into something achievable and measurable. Larger content is broken into more manageable pieces making it more memorable as it isn’t lost in a three-hour course. If you don&#x27;t have the in-house expertise, consider partnering with an <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experienced eLearning consultant</a> who is skilled in crafting microlearning content.</p><h3 data-block-key="4mj9d">3. Content curation</h3><p data-block-key="9fc58">Content curation is the act of filtering content and presenting it in an organised manner. It’s a great way to support your learners and provide relevant information in one place. The use of ePortfolios are a powerful pedagogical tool and can greatly assist learners with reflective learning.</p><p data-block-key="5gbse">You can integrate <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a> with Moodle and Tōtara to allow students to curate content such as TED talks, resources, topics, and blog posts.</p><p data-block-key="9mj1v">You can learn more about <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/guide-to-eportfolio?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the power of ePortfolios in our recent blog post</a>.</p><h3 data-block-key="6ma06">4. Gamification</h3><p data-block-key="40khm"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gamifying LMS content</a> can boost learner engagement with game-like elements to learning material. Elements can include advancing levels, earning badges, or prizes. Plus, gamified content can increase problem-solving skills and work alongside <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/elevate-goal-setting-with-edtech?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">goal setting</a>.</p><h3 data-block-key="fo9h6">5. Video-based learning</h3><p data-block-key="2s84o">Videos are excellent for introductions to topics, demonstrating how-to’s, and as an alternative to instruction manuals and guidebooks. Plus, you can repurpose longer videos into other bite-sized eLearning content. Video content can include:</p><ul><li data-block-key="7icij">Quizzes.</li><li data-block-key="35b7q">Interactive videos.</li><li data-block-key="8bdnu">Tests.</li><li data-block-key="2mgb1">Video coaches.</li><li data-block-key="8js1i">Virtual classrooms.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="f1cuf">6. Cloud-based LMS solutions</h3><p data-block-key="eilv9">Next, consider using <a href="https://catalystcloud.nz/?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cloud services</a> for hosting your LMS software. Essentially, cloud provides scalability, reliability, object storage, and even backups to help manage costs.</p><p data-block-key="dlrkt">If you don’t have the in-house expertise to support migrating to the cloud, work with an experienced LMS partner to ensure a seamless experience. At Catalyst, we can help you with hosting, sovereign hosting and support you with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/continuous-integration-as-a-service-ciaas-for-your-lms?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CIaaS (Continuous Integration as a Service)</a> for LMS platforms Moodle and Tōtara.</p><p data-block-key="2vit"></p><p data-block-key="dhh80"></p><img alt="A graphic presenting the stages of Continuous Integration as a cycle. Beginning with Git, then Gitlab, then unit test, then staging release, then smokecheck then release." class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="348" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Continuous_integration_diagram.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="d1jvp">Essentially, CIaaS is a full-service wrapper that looks after:</p><ul><li data-block-key="2cem7">Upgrades.</li><li data-block-key="b1ti5">Updates.</li><li data-block-key="9ptd5">Maintaining back ups.</li><li data-block-key="6dpi8">Customisations.</li><li data-block-key="7nqc4">Plugins.</li><li data-block-key="4t6p">Integrations.</li><li data-block-key="6cfsr">Keeping your LMS software running smoothly.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="93ju6">7. Learning analytics</h3><p data-block-key="232tv">LMS platforms like <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle</a> and <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tōtara</a> have reporting capabilities so you can understand how your content and learners are performing. Your LMS will likely have built-in analytics so you can run reports for courses and quizzes. To learn more about how analytics can support you to make data-driven decisions, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/elevate-goal-setting-with-edtech?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">check out our blog.</a></p><img alt="Example of statistics for question positions" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Example_of_statistics_for_question_positions.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="88v9f"></p><h3 data-block-key="dn7dr">8. AI (artificial intelligence)</h3><p data-block-key="34mrl"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AI (artificial intelligence)</a> can add a lot of value to your LMS and your learners as it brings in a new era of education. Moodle LMS has built-in AI features with a human-centered and research-based approach behind them. Other LMSs are adding AI functionality to their LMS software through plugins, including chatbots and task automation. So you can focus on creativity, innovation, and your learners use AI as a supporting tool to handle automated tasks.</p><h3 data-block-key="b15t6">9. Blogs</h3><p data-block-key="6vu3e">Encouraging your learners to reflect on their work and goals is a growing trend in learning and development. Reflective learning enables your learners to return to learning content with a critical eye and can help them plan for the future. Your learners can <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">write blogs as part of their reflection</a> and share their insights to support others.</p><h2 data-block-key="eah9p">Bonus tips</h2><p data-block-key="70j26">Below are two bonus tips to ensure your LMS remains fit for purpose.</p><ul><li data-block-key="17ip5"><b>Staying on top of SCORM rot:</b> SCORM can become uneditable after five years, so you need to be aware of the age of your content. Plus, there are more modern authoring tools other than SCORM available, such as H5P. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-fix-scorm-rot-in-your-lms-2023?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out how to fix SCORM rot in our blog.</a></li><li data-block-key="3e7fo"><b>Transforming the learner experience:</b> to improve current content and create new content, begin by getting feedback from your learners. Then, it&#x27;s a good idea to complete a <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">full instructional design</a>. The process covers the analysis of current content through to the development and deployment of new material as needed.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="3t4e6">Outsource where in-housing is tight</h2><p data-block-key="rpdn">It’s important to be up-to-date with what’s happening in the EdTech space, so you can be aware of trends and incorporate them into your LMS content. But if you don’t have the resources or in-house expertise, working with an experienced LMS partner with a full-service wrapper is a good solution.</p><p data-block-key="fcrh6">Our eLearning experts at Catalyst are experienced in both corporate and educational settings. Whether it’s content development, a full instructional design, or a full-service wrapper to support your Moodle or Tōtara LMS, we can help. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/general-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Contact our team today.</a></p>

9 ways to improve your LMS platform in 2024

<p data-block-key="pdc2p">Keeping on top of Learning Management System (LMS) platform trends ensures you&#x27;ve got all the tools you need for your LMS toolbelt. Check out our list of 9 LMS trends for 2024.</p>

9-ways-to-improve-your-lms-platform-in-2024

<h2 data-block-key="mfbwd">What does your role involve?</h2><p data-block-key="ah1dj">As the Mahara Project Tech Lead, I use my knowledge to ensure the Mahara ePortfolio system&#x27;s codebase is of a high standard. To maintain this standard, I make sure the code is:</p><ul><li data-block-key="78ekd">Compliant with coding guidelines.</li><li data-block-key="f5fav">Robust with security checks.</li><li data-block-key="ar091">Up-to-date with current trends and practices.</li></ul><p data-block-key="d2ggu">I liaise with members of the community and my developer team to decide what new features and changes we should make to improve <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara?mtm_campaign=ditl&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-mahara-team-lead" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a>. To stay fresh and relevant, this also includes reliability, user requirements, and user experience of Mahara.</p><p data-block-key="c4n0j">I started as a Mahara developer in 2013 and have been the Tech Lead since 2016. My career journey has allowed me to learn and embed best practices into both the Mahara codebase and my normal workday.</p><h2 data-block-key="eept5">What does your typical day look like?</h2><p data-block-key="bc3ml">My typical work day begins by checking overnight emails from clients and community members based in Europe and North America. Then, I&#x27;ll investigate any issues they may have and reply based on my findings.</p><p data-block-key="cd2lb">From here, I tend to continue working on development projects for the next release as part of the yearly release cycle. I also check in on the developers to see how their project work is coming along and if they need guidance or help.</p><p data-block-key="f6286">Depending on my workload, I will try to do code reviews and test patches created by the developers and answer forum questions from the community. Some days, I will be helping Kristina, the Project Lead, with quoting for new project work.</p><p data-block-key="bu8s5">Usually, I finish up dealing with issues that come in from local clients throughout the day.</p><h2 data-block-key="72kva">Tell us about a recent problem you helped solve.</h2><p data-block-key="bkmuu">A large part of my job is to solve issues and fix problems. Normally, this is straightforward, as new problems occur when new code is added to the codebase. But a recent issue that stands out was a new change that conflicted with some old code. The new change was minor, had passed code review, and was considered safe. So the conflict was unexpected and ended up causing a security issue when doing a bulk activity in Mahara.</p><p data-block-key="42opm">It wasn&#x27;t obvious how the change caused the problem by looking at the code directly. But, I was finally able to track down the cause through iteration testing. By fixing this issue, I was able to make the codebase safer for all to use.</p><h2 data-block-key="10j0i">What do you enjoy about working at Catalyst?</h2><p data-block-key="4h9js">I like working for Catalyst because of their philosophy of community. Catalyst shows these values through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software?mtm_campaign=ditl&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-mahara-team-lead" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">open source</a>, community-maintained software and its willingness to upstream fixes back to the open source community. Also, I enjoy the community within Catalyst itself, where the people are willing to help each other by sharing their ideas and expertise to ensure work is interesting and done to a high standard.</p>

a day in the life of a Mahara Project Tech Lead

<p data-block-key="1taeq">In this edition of &quot;A Day in the Life at Catalyst&quot; we uncover what an typical day at work looks like for a Mahara Tech Lead.</p>

a-day-in-the-life-of-a-mahara-project-tech-lead

<p data-block-key="kubfj">1.3 billion people in the world have a significant disability. That’s 1 in 6 people (<a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">World Health Organization, 2023</a>). So, with <a href="https://www.demandsage.com/internet-user-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">over 5.3 billion</a> internet users, a high percentage will encounter barriers to accessibility. Accessibility doesn’t just benefit those with a disability, it benefits everyone. An accessible website ensures that regardless of your ability, everyone can access the same information. Essentially, accessibility shouldn’t be considered as an add-on or an afterthought when designing user experience. In fact, accessibility should drive user experience design as it will result in a greater user experience for all users. So in this blog post, we’ll cover the relationship between accessibility and good user experience.</p><h2 data-block-key="3endo">What’s the difference between accessibility and user experience?</h2><p data-block-key="fvp90">It can be easy to assume <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">accessibility</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_experience" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">user experience</a> are the same thing. However, they are two different concepts that overlap and improve a website, service, or product.</p><h2 data-block-key="7eote">The basics of web accessibility</h2><p data-block-key="a1t8m">Accessibility is achieved when there are no barriers for everyone to access and consume web content, including those with disabilities. It can seem like an overwhelming concept to follow because of the scope. However, there are tools and resources in place to offer support in ensuring website accessibility. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campagin&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-accessibility-drives-good-user-experience-ux&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)</a> is an internationally recognised standard dedicated to ensuring digital content is available to all. The guidelines are categorised into guiding principles of Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. By breaking down the guidelines into four parts, it’s easier to focus on certain areas of disabilities when implementing changes.</p><p data-block-key="66od5">Disabilities can sit under one of the following types or be a combination of:</p><ul><li data-block-key="21crc">Auditory.</li><li data-block-key="6vets">Cognitive.</li><li data-block-key="f1ea1">Neurological.</li><li data-block-key="2oqfv">Physical.</li><li data-block-key="2qsrn">Speech.</li><li data-block-key="eapf3">Visual.</li></ul><p data-block-key="3cdpb">Disabilities can be permanent, temporary, or even situational. Being in a loud environment and unable to hear the audio of a video is an instance of a situational disability. A good example of accessibility to assist with this would be the inclusion of captions, so you can access and understand the content. Or, you may have a permanent disability resulting in low vision and therefore need to zoom in to read the page. The website needs to be responsive to ensure all information is still readily accessible even with increased font sizes.</p><p data-block-key="e4qvd">It’s best practice to follow the WCAG 2.2 guidelines, the most recent update of WCAG. You can get an overview of these in <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/understanding-wcag-2-2-guidelines?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campagin&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-accessibility-drives-good-user-experience-ux&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our blog post.</a> If you’d like to learn more about common accessibility issues, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-people-with-disabilities-use-the-web?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campagin&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-accessibility-drives-good-user-experience-ux&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">check out this blog post.</a></p><p data-block-key="879m5">When accessibility leads design, it improves the user experience. As according to the <a href="https://www.clickawaypound.com/downloads/cap19final0502.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2019 Click Away Pound survey</a>, 69% of disabled people with access needs leave a site with barriers.</p><h2 data-block-key="fu5cu">The basics of user experience</h2><p data-block-key="8iqh0">Basically, user experience (UX) is how a user experiences a website. A good user experience considers:</p><ul><li data-block-key="4bplj">How a user interacts with your website, product, or service.</li><li data-block-key="b26nj">How your website looks.</li><li data-block-key="3rq03">What the user feels when they use your site.</li><li data-block-key="ft75c">How well they can navigate.</li><li data-block-key="2jm2i">The relevance of information displayed.</li></ul><p data-block-key="7b3v0">To have a good user experience, firstly, you must understand who your users are. You can achieve this through user testing, surveys, and even talking to your users directly. However, by having accessibility drive your web design and improving accessibility you’ll get clearer insights from talking to your users. This means your users can provide insights specific to your organisation, rather than focusing on accessibility issues.</p><p data-block-key="38jj8">Another concept that can be confused with UX is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_interface" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UI (user interface)</a>. UI is what you can see on the screen, including layout, design, branding, and interactive components. Whereas, UX is all about storytelling, engagement, objectives, and usability.</p><h2 data-block-key="62b32">Easy fixes to improve web accessibility and user experience</h2><p data-block-key="ak759">A common area of confusion is mixing up links and buttons. They may seem similar, but they serve two separate purposes. A good example of accessibility is when links and buttons follow their responsibilities and improve the user experience:</p><ul><li data-block-key="bepg">Links <i>go</i> somewhere. For instance, taking you to a new page.</li><li data-block-key="fgv9a">Buttons <i>do</i> something. For example, a button for submitting a form.</li></ul><p data-block-key="6vt2e">This change might sound simple and that’s because it is. Improving accessibility and user experience doesn’t need to be hard. In fact, there are quite a few quick fixes you can implement.</p><p data-block-key="2sgb6">Another change you can quickly implement is improving your forms. When someone with a disability uses assistive tools to consume web content the tool needs context for the fields to understand the information. To ensure everyone can use these forms, provide a proper &lt;label&gt; tag with a “for” attribute that matches the input’s ID.</p><h2 data-block-key="76rti">Designing great accessibility and user experience</h2><p data-block-key="dhmv9">At Catalyst, we champion improving accessibility and implementing it as early in your design as possible. Our web accessibility team is qualified on the <a href="https://marketplace.govt.nz/about-marketplace/whats-open-on-marketplace/approved-suppliers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DIA Marketplace for Web Accessibility</a> and can support you at any stage of your accessibility journey. If you&#x27;d like to improve your accessibility and user experience, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/Accessibility-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campagin&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-accessibility-drives-good-user-experience-ux&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us today.</a></p>

How accessibility drives good user experience (UX)

<p data-block-key="e8ibr">This blog post covers the relationship between accessibility and good user experience.</p>

how-accessibility-drives-good-user-experience-ux

<p data-block-key="jydti">As a web content author, you’ll want to work with an easy-to-use content management system (CMS) that ticks all your boxes. But, there are other factors it needs to achieve too. For example, it should also be a customisable, scalable, and secure CMS to name a few. A good CMS that meets the requirements of your business strategy better enables your success as a content author too. An open source CMS can be a great way to enable you to get there. So, in this blog post, we are comparing two open source CMS titans: Silverstripe vs. Drupal.</p><h2 data-block-key="36av4">What is an open source CMS?</h2><p data-block-key="7k3qn">An open source CMS, like <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/silverstripe?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Silverstripe</a> or <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/drupal?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Drupal</a>, means you benefit from code changes that other development teams make and vice versa. To explain this in simple terms:</p><ul><li data-block-key="3tavv">Proprietary CMS solutions are “out-of-the-box”. The code that makes up the CMS is locked down and has limited modification capabilities to protect it and provide a solution meeting mass market needs. That means if you want a perfectly customised or unique website for specific goals, you are limited by the out-of-the-box features. In other words, your business strategy or goals must flex to the CMS you are using.<br/></li><li data-block-key="9rm51">An open source CMS is the opposite. Essentially, the CMS comes as a base, working CMS you can utilise. However, the source code is open to anyone in your in-house development team or a trusted third-party to edit. This makes it perfectly customisable – your CMS flexes to enable your business strategy. Furthermore, developers who create new features or enhancements can ‘submit’ their changes to be considered by other CMS users to have too. This is what makes open source powerful.</li></ul><p data-block-key="d4nod">Another great benefit of open source is that typically, it is free from licensing costs and vendor lock-in.</p><h2 data-block-key="eh5gv">Do I need technical skills to use Silverstripe or Drupal?</h2><p data-block-key="asnpf">No, you don&#x27;t need technical skills to use Silverstripe or Drupal as a content author.</p><p data-block-key="3ma18">For example, both are easy to use to create page types, layouts, menu items, and other content. Additionally, you can easily drag and drop elements, and see your changes in real time with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WYSIWYG" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editors</a>. Essentially, both have user-friendly interfaces and remove the need-to-know how to code for content authors.</p><p data-block-key="67g8c">However, your organisation may require technical support for things like hosting, special customisations, and security—we’ll cover these in more detail shortly.</p><h2 data-block-key="8ths1">What are CMS modules, and why would I use them?</h2><p data-block-key="67qfq">Modules are like a plugin or an add-on for your CMS. Basically, they extend the capability of the content management system to add or alter existing functionality. For example, a module could include pre-built themes or layouts to change your website&#x27;s look and feel without designing from scratch. Our <a href="https://www.design.catalyst.net.nz/?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst Starter theme</a> is designed and developed alongside Catalyst Starter is a great example of this. Essentially it works as an out-of-the-box tried and tested version of Silverstripe and includes the most commonly used and requested features. The features have been developed and tested to provide the most value. Plus, it’s one of the most user-friendly options you could need to achieve your CMS goals. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/build-an-accessible-website-with-catalyst-starter?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about Catalyst Starter.</a></p><p data-block-key="89qjv">Silverstripe and Drupal offer a range of supported modules. But, the beauty of open source is if your module doesn’t exist your technical team can build one and even offer it back to other users who may have the same need.</p><p data-block-key="65t39">Ultimately, you can use any module for Silverstripe or Drupal, but the initial configuration does need to be completed by someone with technical skills. If you don’t have the in-house capabilities to develop the functionality you&#x27;re after, or configure a module, choose an <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/cms-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experienced CMS partner</a> instead.</p><h2 data-block-key="qq20">Is Silverstripe or Drupal easier to use?</h2><p data-block-key="c90oc">After nearly twenty years of supporting clients to create great CMS for their business, Catalyst has seen <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-work/healthify?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">great successes</a> with both Silverstripe and Drupal – regardless, of industry or sector. When you have the right expertise and service wrapper in place to support you, both CMSs can help you achieve your goals. However, to help you decide which may work best for your content authoring experience, below are a few insights.</p><h3 data-block-key="cd6ss">Content authoring in Silverstripe</h3><ul><li data-block-key="7ep4"><b>Creating content:</b> You can easily select a page type, like a home page, and the location you&#x27;d like the page to exist. For example, a top-level or a sub-page beneath a parent. Plus, you can easily set up where pages are shown, such as in menus or the search bar.</li><li data-block-key="f2jju"><b>Editing and previewing:</b> Preview your edits in real-time, with the option to have a side-by-side preview of the content you’re editing and what it looks like on a range of screen sizes including mobile.</li><li data-block-key="ctiga"><b>Reporting</b>: There are reporting capabilities within Silverstripe, so you can keep track of areas that need to be addressed, such as broken links and files and pages without content.</li></ul><h3 data-block-key="1a361">Content authoring experience in Drupal</h3><ul><li data-block-key="2efe2"><b>Creating content:</b> You can easily add content of various types, for example, an article or a basic page, and assign content to a specific region on the page, such as the footer, sidebar, or title. The forms are user-friendly with suggestions of what each option is best for. For example, plain text is great for titles and names, whereas long plain text is best for a description.</li><li data-block-key="c94q2"><b>Editing and previewing:</b> You can edit your content in blocks – one element at a time and easily drag and drop fields and change the order of components in the UI. Once you save changes, you can preview the page immediately.</li><li data-block-key="9g5at"><b>Reporting:</b> The reporting options relate to the site’s operation, recent log messages, and a report for top search phrases.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="2v19u">Does Silverstripe or Drupal have better theming?</h2><p data-block-key="77acq">In both Silverstripe and Drupal, you can import themes for free. A theme can instantly add a modern design and a responsive layout to your site. Furthermore, you can work with a theme as a base for your brand design or use the theme as is. Basically, themes are a great way to have a good-looking website when you don’t have the in-house expertise to design your CMS. Also, they can be a time-saving hack for adding extra functionality and the design elements you’re after.</p><h3 data-block-key="9dbt9">Drupal themes</h3><p data-block-key="4r3ve">Drupal has a range of themes, starting from a bare minimum base, a standard theme, and an installation profile. You can preview the themes to see what the layout would look like before you install it. However, an installation profile requires some technical skills or <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/cms-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">technical support</a> as it tailors the site to a specific site need, such as event management or commerce. Installation profiles are a great way to get the look and feel of your website right.</p><h3 data-block-key="63f52">Silverstripe themes</h3><p data-block-key="5t7tq">Silverstripe has a default simple theme built in and a range of other themes you can also import. Similar to a Drupal installation profile, we have developed <a href="https://www.design.catalyst.net.nz/?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst Starter</a> which is tailored for a brochure website but also forms the foundation of a much larger, more complex website. Not only is Catalyst Starter a collection of commonly requested features, but it’s complete with modern branding which provides a head start on the theming of your site. Our pre-built theme makes it easier than ever for content authors to get the best out of Silverstripe. Check out the video below.</p><p data-block-key="biher"></p><div>
    <iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rjLDvET4Eqc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen title="Catalyst Starter demo video"></iframe>
</div>
<p data-block-key="a7b5m"></p><h2 data-block-key="ap4hu">What’s the difference between Silverstripe and Drupal?</h2><p data-block-key="4uf1j">The biggest difference between Silverstripe and Drupal is felt more at a developer level versus content author. For example, a Silverstripe developer works in the code base, and a Drupal developer can branch off in one of two directions:</p><ul><li data-block-key="p8dq">Working solely or mostly in the code base – standard programming.</li><li data-block-key="4m69v"><a href="https://www.drupal.org/documentation/build" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Site building</a> - working with just the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interface" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GUI (graphical user interface)</a> – editing the admin experience with graphical components such as icons, buttons, and menus without working within code.</li></ul><p data-block-key="89bu3">Both Silverstripe and Drupal are customisable and your in-house developers, or <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/website-cms?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experienced outsourced experts</a> can help you.</p><h2 data-block-key="ei3oq">Is Silverstripe or Drupal more secure?</h2><p data-block-key="7jknq">Ultimately, it depends on your security measures. If you’ve got the in-house expertise, you can set up automated testing to check your CMS for bugs and vulnerabilities. Plus, you can integrate Silverstripe or Drupal with automated testing frameworks. But, if you don’t have the in-house expertise to host, test, patch, and upgrade your CMS, work with an <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/website-cms?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=linkhttps://www.catalyst.net.nz/cms-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experienced CMS partner</a> to support you.</p><h2 data-block-key="4p5ab">Where can I get CMS support?</h2><p data-block-key="jugs">At Catalyst, we’ll work with you to build a future-proofed CMS solution for your specific business goals. Our full-service wrapper drives our work, covering design, development, hosting, and ongoing support. We already build, develop, and maintain a range of CMSs across a huge range of industries globally. So, whether you want short-term support to configure modules or need an expert guide to build and maintain a bespoke CMS, we’re ready to help.</p><p data-block-key="68tf1"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/cms-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about how our team can help you with your CMS</a>, whether it’s Silverstripe or Drupal, our experts can help.</p>

Open source CMS comparison Silverstripe vs Drupal

<p data-block-key="qo8yy">In this blog post, we are comparing two open source CMS titans: Silverstripe vs. Drupal.</p>

open-source-cms-comparison-silverstripe-vs-drupal

<p data-block-key="cxrds">Goal setting is a fundamental aspect of providing clear direction – whether it’s to work towards a promotion, achieve a grade, or provide evidence of a skill or qualification. So, as more learners adopt digital learning options, more EdTech (education technology) solutions are improving how educators set learning direction. EdTech can enhance education when used well. It can include anything from video meeting apps to collaborative whiteboards and learning management systems (LMS) software such as Moodle and Tōtara. In this blog post, we will share the importance of setting achievable goals and how EdTech can accelerate your learners’ success.</p><h2 data-block-key="4phm2">The benefits of goal setting</h2><p data-block-key="4i6o0">There are a range of benefits to goal setting including:</p><ul><li data-block-key="4n40k"><b>Direction:</b> Direction gives everyone something to aim for and work towards. It provides a common destination.</li><li data-block-key="dg2gi"><b>Focus</b>: With clear goals it is easier to focus on what is important.</li><li data-block-key="f3pkd"><b>Decision-Making:</b> Goals can aid in decision-making by helping us organise our list of priorities.</li><li data-block-key="ccpqe"><b>Confidence:</b> Goals help you feel in control and confident in your direction and decision-making.</li><li data-block-key="ea464"><b>Motivation:</b> Goals give us something to aspire to. As we work towards a long-term goal, we also achieve short-term goals. This consistent achievement journey can also motivate us to continue.</li><li data-block-key="4dlol"><b>Self-satisfaction:</b> Goals often represent a challenge. Therefore, learners typically feel proud of challenging accomplishments.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="67vje">How to set achievable goals and stick with them</h2><p data-block-key="72lh6">To set clear and achievable goals, you and your learners need to understand:</p><ul><li data-block-key="ecsef">Why they’re creating goals.</li><li data-block-key="dttg4">How the outcome of their goals creates impact.</li></ul><p data-block-key="an3i6">There are goal setting frameworks that can aid you in creating realistic and achievable goals by creating the <i>what</i> and the <i>how</i>. The goal framework you use will depend on your organisation type, and who the goal is for.</p><ul><li data-block-key="a3s8d"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><b>SMART goals</b></a><b> (specific, measurable, assignable, realistic, and time-related):</b> using the SMART goals framework is a great way to fully realise a goal and figure out how to achieve them.</li><li data-block-key="8j3eb"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectives_and_key_results" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><b>OKRs</b></a><b> (objectives and key results):</b> OKRs are a framework generally used in a corporate setting to set goals for an organisation, team, or individual. To create an OKR, you need a defined goal and 3-5 measurable key results.</li></ul><p data-block-key="5gb41">If the goals set in your LMS aren’t being achieved, it could be a sign their goal isn’t realistic enough, or it isn’t clear enough. You can return to these frameworks throughout your goal setting process to refine goals and work towards them. Plus, it’s a good idea to reflect on goals to ensure they are still relevant.</p><p data-block-key="f8042">Additionally, if you or your learners are collecting evidence for a skill or qualification, you should also consider the tools to facilitate this. Using a portfolio platform <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=elevate-goal-setting-with-edtech&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">like Mahara</a> alongside your LMS software means your learners can access their reflections alongside their courses. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/guide-to-eportfolios?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=elevate-goal-setting-with-edtech&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">You can learn more about how ePortfolio’s can support your LMS in this blog post</a>.</p><h2 data-block-key="9158b">5 ways your LMS can support goal achievement</h2><h3 data-block-key="cg9s5">1. Gamification for effective learning</h3><p data-block-key="26ljt">Participating in activities that stimulate our bodies or minds, like exercising, triggers the release of endorphins. Similarly, engaging in eLearning games that challenge learners or offer rewards, such as progressing to the next level, can evoke the same response. These endorphins both enhance the enjoyment of the eLearning process and aid in information retention.</p><p data-block-key="7mmp">Gamification is when eLearning content includes game-like elements to motivate learners, drive engagement, and get the endorphins flowing. For example, they could earn badges or rewards for accomplishing tasks, advance levels, or have a leaderboard. Essentially, gamification adds a fun and competitive element to learning whilst maintaining the goal direction. However, it is worth noting that whilst gamification can make content exciting, entertaining, and educational you should also make use of the LMS analytics to ensure the ‘game’ is also achieving its set goals. Such as, if the game is too hard or doesn’t provide educational value to your learners it could be missing the mark. If you are responsible for eLearning content development, we recommend teaming up with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=elevate-goal-setting-with-edtech&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">expert LMS content developers</a> to drive great results.</p><h3 data-block-key="2dph1">2. Track progress</h3><p data-block-key="11lt4">As an organisation, educator, or LMS administrator, you will need to track learners&#x27; progress against their goals. Your LMS software should provide you with data showing your learners’ progress towards their goals.</p><h4 data-block-key="9uifs">LMS reports</h4><p data-block-key="d6von">Your LMS software should have reporting features providing an overview of course activities. LMSs like <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=elevate-goal-setting-with-edtech&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tōtara</a> have detailed, aggregated, graphical reporting including:</p><ul><li data-block-key="46knl">Pie charts.</li><li data-block-key="ba2dc">Bar charts.</li><li data-block-key="5bf6q">Scatter charts.</li><li data-block-key="cl8p7">Line charts.</li></ul><p data-block-key="bvek8">Furthermore, in some LMSs, including in Tōtara, you can access dashboard reports and filter them based on content, learner groups, or achievement level. For example, you could filter the results of a course completion report by education sector, team, position, or class. One of the things we like about Tōtara’s report builder is it allows you to set reports based on your requirements and tweak templates to suit your needs. Reports you could use are:</p><ul><li data-block-key="813pf"><b>Course completion:</b> Visualises the learner completion percentage versus courses. Essentially this enables you to gauge engagement and compliance.</li><li data-block-key="7ivmt"><b>Logins:</b> This shows a graph of login trends by day or month, so you can gauge engagement.</li><li data-block-key="358hq"><b>Face to Face Attendance:</b> Details how many learners are attending face to face training. For an organisation this can help build a picture of training hours used across the year.</li></ul><p data-block-key="681fn"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=elevate-goal-setting-with-edtech&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle</a> also introduced a report builder in Moodle 4.0. While Moodle does not yet support graphical reporting there is a rich set of reports and functionality enabling you to make the right information available to the right groups of people.</p><p data-block-key="2rd74">Both Moodle and Tōtara support <a href="https://docs.moodle.org/403/en/Custom_reports" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reports</a> are sent to users via email, exported for further analysis, or integrated with a business information system like Power BI.</p><h4 data-block-key="f3cmu">Quiz statistics</h4><p data-block-key="9gj41">Quizzes can be a powerful tool for assessments or knowledge checks throughout a course. The reporting available with this activity is rich and can provide great insight into your learners’ successes and struggles in specific areas. Including, being able to dive deeper into results on an individual, question, or course-level basis to support your learners. Plus, it can also show you how your content is performing.</p><p data-block-key="3295v"></p><p data-block-key="69uj"></p><img alt="Example of statistics for question positions" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Example_of_statistics_for_question_positions.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="205sf"></p><p data-block-key="clqog">Having detailed insights enables you to pinpoint where content needs updating. For example, your LMS software reports should provide insight when there’s a trend of learners failing a question. Potentially, your question needs improvement. Or perhaps further subject training is needed for the class. Another useful trend to look out for is how many attempts were made to get the correct answer.</p><h3 data-block-key="7bcnl">3. AI and personalisation</h3><p data-block-key="kfag">The use of AI<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> (artificial intelligence)</a> in LMS software is rising. For example, you can add AI to your LMS through a plugin, or if you’re using Moodle in your organisation, it’s already built-in.</p><p data-block-key="bsv4o">AI can automate manual processes and identify patterns. For example, Moodle&#x27;s AI recommends courses by analysing completed ones and identifying common learning paths for personalized suggestions.</p><p data-block-key="sj1s">Additionally, you could consider incorporating chatbots into your LMS software. This can support learning through instant feedback.</p><h3 data-block-key="fokvt">4. Data-driven decisions</h3><p data-block-key="6kni">Having insights into your learners’ goals and progress enable you to build a thorough story of learning and development in your organisation. For example, you will gain insights into:</p><ul><li data-block-key="3qt9m">Learner motivation.</li><li data-block-key="6np0b">How your course content influences outcomes.</li><li data-block-key="ko7m">Where additional content or support is needed.</li></ul><p data-block-key="e54am">These insights help influence your learning and development strategy and inform future changes and initiatives.</p><h3 data-block-key="86vta">5. Take Action</h3><p data-block-key="79jfm">Improving goal setting is an ongoing process, and each step needs to be repeated and reiterated. What works for your learners now will change as technology does. However, following these steps should help you to consider ways you can tackle goal setting now.</p><p data-block-key="d2nc"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/general-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=elevate-goal-setting-with-edtech&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Our team at Catalyst can help</a> you identify new opportunities for your LMS to support your learner success strategy.</p>

<p data-block-key="7805h">Learn how can you use your LMS software to support you and your learners&#x27; goals in our latest blog.</p>

elevate-goal-setting-with-edtech

<p data-block-key="fprrw">The 22.05 release of Koha introduced 2FA (two-factor authentication) for library staff members. 2FA is a great security measure to protect data and who can access your Koha instance. In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of what 2FA in Koha is and how you can improve your Koha security.</p><h2 data-block-key="3mqi0">What is 2FA in Koha?</h2><p data-block-key="5g3n"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-factor_authentication" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2FA</a> is a security method used to verify a user’s identity when logging into a site to ensure there’s no unauthorised access. The chances are you’ve used 2FA without even knowing as it is commonly used in many online platforms and services. But first, let’s explain what a login process looks like without 2FA.</p><p data-block-key="90qpk">Only entering your username and password to log in is called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authentication#Single-factor_authentication" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">single-factor authentication.</a> So, if someone guesses or hacks your password they can access your account as there’s no extra security measures in place.</p><p data-block-key="buuot">Essentially, 2FA is a step up from single-factor authentication. Basically, there’s an additional barrier ahead of a successful login called the ‘second factor’. That means, if your password is compromised and someone tries to use it but doesn’t have access to your second factor, they can’t get in. A second factor is often a code sent to your phone or a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-based_one-time_password" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">time-based one-time password</a> (TOTP). That means it’s highly unlikely someone can move beyond the login screen.</p><p data-block-key="28lql">Additionally, 2FA notifies you when someone is trying to access your account. So, if you receive a code and aren’t currently trying to log in it’s a good idea to change your password. Without 2FA, you wouldn’t have been able to identify the attempt or prevent unauthorised access.</p><h2 data-block-key="745im">What are the benefits of 2FA in Koha?</h2><ul><li data-block-key="7oalg">2FA in<a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/koha-library-management?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=koha-2fa-two-factor-authentication&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Koha</a> ensures only persons who require access have it. This second Koha security layer better protects your account from unauthorised access.</li><li data-block-key="dv4pf">Your information remains secure, including all the library and member data you have access to.</li><li data-block-key="ar2t2">If you have data sovereignty agreements in place, member data remains protected as per your requirements and isn’t compromised offshore.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="df19p">How can I set up 2FA in Koha?</h2><p data-block-key="e6tbb">Before you begin, it’s a good idea to download an authenticator app on your phone if you don’t already have one. Choosing an authenticator enabling a 2FA backup means you can access your 2FA even if you don’t have access to your phone.</p><p data-block-key="b2gqd"><a href="https://koha-community.org/manual/latest/en/html/patrons.html#two-factor-authentication-in-the-staff-interface" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">You can set up 2FA in Koha by following these steps.</a></p><h2 data-block-key="aihcp">Where can I get Koha support?</h2><p data-block-key="154dg">Catalyst Rōpū kohinga cares for collections through technology. The dedicated team has been hosting and maintaining Koha for organisations all over the world for more than a decade. Additionally, they also provide support for DSpace, VuFind, and other collections technologies.</p><p data-block-key="70qir">A few Koha user groups are coming up, where the Koha community will come together to learn and share all things Koha. If you’d like to come along, find <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/koha-user-groups-2024?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=koha-2fa-two-factor-authentication&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">more information on the Catalyst website.</a></p><p data-block-key="477n">If you need expert support to improve, manage, or secure your Koha, contact our team today at <a href="mailto:koha-support@catalyst.net.nz">koha-support@catalyst.net.nz</a>.</p><p data-block-key="9u1i5">You can also <a href="https://catalyst.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=62457ff5060d15ee3c07d3fc4&amp;id=b73fbdcac8&amp;mtm_campaign=koha&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=koha-2fa-two-factor-authentication&amp;mtm_cid=ropu-kohinga" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">subscribe to our collection technologies newsletter</a> to keep up to date with the latest tips and tricks.</p>

<p data-block-key="dkfb0">This blog will provide an overview of what 2FA (two-factor authentication) in Koha is and how you can improve your Koha security.</p>

koha-2fa-two-factor-authentication

<p data-block-key="9r71t">When web content is accessible, it enables users to understand, navigate, and interact with the content on a web page. To encourage accessible websites, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-people-with-disabilities-use-the-web&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG has accessibility guidelines</a> in place. There is not a &#x27;one-size-fits-all&#x27; approach to accessible web content as a disability can be auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, visual, or a combination. Therefore, content must be understandable through all senses, including visual, audio, and physical accessibility to remove accessibility issues.</p><p data-block-key="38uk7">People with disabilities use many tools, techniques, and assistive technologies to customise their experience on the web. However, a website must be compatible with their tools and techniques, so they can be used or used well. Issues with access, navigation, or consuming content are all accessibility challenges that someone with a disability can come up against. In this blog post, we’ll cover techniques, tools, and assistive technologies people with disabilities use on the web and what improves their experience.</p><h2 data-block-key="1elg0">What are assistive technologies?</h2><p data-block-key="vtmp"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Assistive technologies (AT)</a> are hardware or software enabling people with a disability to access and consume web content they otherwise could not. Additionally, as technology evolves, more assistive technologies are becoming more mainstream by everyone – you’ve probably even used some without knowing as they&#x27;re built into phones and desktop devices. For example, the autocorrection of text messages is a common assistive technology since word prediction and spell checkers reduce cognitive load. Other widely used assistive technologies are Siri and Alexa. However, assistive technologies are far-reaching and cover a breadth of support including screen readers, screen magnifiers, and Braille displays.</p><h2 data-block-key="cg5vi">What are adaptive strategies?</h2><p data-block-key="75oka">Adaptive strategies are the workarounds a person with a disability needs to make to consume web content. For example, someone with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/3-easy-ways-to-improve-web-accessibility-in-koha?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-people-with-disabilities-use-the-web&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">low vision</a> will use assistive technologies such as a screen reader or a screen magnifier, to access the content on a web page. By using adaptive strategies, people with disabilities can customise their experience to improve how they can access web content often aided by AT.</p><h2 data-block-key="ad1kq">What is a screen reader?</h2><p data-block-key="bp00t">A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_reader" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">screen reader</a> is an assistive technology enabling those with difficulty seeing to interact with online content. Screen readers read web content aloud, and users can choose the speed and the language it speaks. They are operated through keyboard shortcuts or touch. A screen reader is useful for people who have:</p><ul><li data-block-key="djo6u">low vision</li><li data-block-key="90k4q">blindness</li><li data-block-key="9m5ao">dyslexia and other reading disorders.</li></ul><p data-block-key="7mrr0">Additionally, if someone is deaf or hard of hearing, they can use a screen reader to convert web content to Braille characters on a Braille display device.</p><p data-block-key="9utj9">It can be easy to pick up simple actions to use a screen reader, but it does take time to grow in experience. Many devices have a free screen reader built in, otherwise, there’s the option to purchase other screen readers depending on desired capabilities. However, there’s the risk of the screen reader not being compatible with a user’s device or available in some languages.</p><h2 data-block-key="erf30">What makes a website accessible for a screen reader?</h2><p data-block-key="61i8g">A screen reader can only read the information provided. For example, if the text used to describe an image or graph in code (known as alt text or alternative text) doesn&#x27;t exist, the screen reader doesn&#x27;t know what&#x27;s on the screen. Therefore, whoever is using the screen reader doesn&#x27;t know either. No alt text can lead to them missing out on vital information.</p><p data-block-key="7nh41">Plus, if there are no navigational clues, such as list items or links, they can&#x27;t skim the page and have to go through the entire web content to identify the relevance. Because this is time-consuming, they&#x27;ll likely abandon their search or move on to a more accessible website.</p><h2 data-block-key="ajqu">What causes accessibility issues?</h2><p data-block-key="37ttu">Accessibility issues can arise from many components of a website. The good news is these can generally be a quick fix, you just need to be aware of it. Please note, this is not a comprehensive list.</p><h3 data-block-key="41toa">4 examples of accessibility issues</h3><h4 data-block-key="4udoa">1. Low colour contrast</h4><p data-block-key="e98k5">Approximately <a href="https://colourblind.co.nz/pages/about-colour-blindness" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">200,000 people in New Zealand have colour blindness,</a> with about 1 in 12 men being affected. Colour blindness (colour vision deficiency) means they can’t fully ‘see’ red, green, or blue light, which means they aren’t able to distinguish the difference. Therefore, they require a <a href="https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">high colour contrast</a> for text and images. High colour contrast improves the readability of content for everyone. For example, black text on a white screen.</p><p data-block-key="egd4f"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/are-you-making-this-accessibility-mistake?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-people-with-disabilities-use-the-web&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">You can read more about colour contrast in our blog</a>.</p><p data-block-key="dguq2"><b>Accessibility tip:</b> the ideal colour contrast should be at least 3:1 for large text and 4.5:1 for regular text.</p><h4 data-block-key="5g3vi">2. Videos without captions or transcripts</h4><p data-block-key="f9btd">Adding captions or transcripts to videos is beneficial for everyone as they provide context. Captions enable you to access content if you’re:</p><ul><li data-block-key="dq5op">Unable to play sound.</li><li data-block-key="g5b9">In a loud environment.</li><li data-block-key="2t3md">Hard of hearing or deaf.</li><li data-block-key="e4h2f">Playing an image-based video as the captions enable a screen reader to read the content.</li><li data-block-key="ddv9d">Needing to improve focus if you have an attention disorder such as <a href="https://www.adhd.org.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder</a> (ADHD).</li></ul><p data-block-key="dai03">It’s common for programs to automatically generate captions or a transcript for videos, however, as these are machine-generated, there is a chance of errors. When used, these should be a starting point rather than the final product.</p><p data-block-key="evnfd"><b>Accessibility tip:</b> It’s best to generate captions or review machine-generated ones to ensure the content is correct.</p><h4 data-block-key="4l1gf">3. Inconsistent and unfamiliar web design</h4><p data-block-key="4cjna">The design of a website can be difficult to navigate and understand if it is unfamiliar or inconsistent. To have a consistent web design on your website consider the following:</p><ul><li data-block-key="cbo18"><b>Uniform appearance:</b> such as the navigation bar doesn’t change on different pages.</li><li data-block-key="3d3tp"><b>Consistent layout, look and feel:</b> each page has a similar flow of information.</li><li data-block-key="5n92k"><b>Familiar patterns:</b> for example, the contact option is at the bottom of the page.</li></ul><p data-block-key="d5vpp">A consistent website design is beneficial because:</p><ul><li data-block-key="eha9f">It makes your website easy to use for everyone.</li><li data-block-key="5nf70">Reduces cognitive load, especially for someone with memory impairments.</li><li data-block-key="45u54">It makes it easier for someone using a screen reader or keyboard navigation to navigate content.</li></ul><p data-block-key="2j1s8"><b>Accessibility tip:</b> don’t reinvent the wheel. If a traditional page hierarchy works, you don’t need to create a new one, as the layout of your content should be logical and predictable.</p><h4 data-block-key="8r700">4. Lack of keyboard accessibility</h4><p data-block-key="udn5">People who use a keyboard to navigate a website may have a repetitive strain injury or motor limitations meaning they’re unable to use a mouse. They’ll use the ‘tab’ key to tab through interactive elements like links, the play button for a video, hashtags, and buttons. They can also navigate through using the arrows on the keyboard to move up and down and left to right. Plus, they can use &#x27;shift&#x27; + &#x27;tab&#x27; to navigate backward and &#x27;enter&#x27; to activate a selected button or link. To navigate with a keyboard there needs to be a clear indicator for what element is in focus, so the user knows where they’re on the screen.</p><p data-block-key="7qa3c">Plus, voice commands also use the same elements as keyboard navigation, so improvements benefit those who use dictation as an assistive technology to navigate the web.</p><p data-block-key="4bt7j"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/understanding-wcag-2-2-guidelines?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-people-with-disabilities-use-the-web&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">You can learn more about keyboard focus and WCAG 2.2 guidelines in our blog post.</a></p><p data-block-key="1auv8"><b>Accessibility tip:</b> Consider how someone using keyboard navigation will find navigational elements without getting stuck. For example, infinite scroll which is often used in news feeds can make it difficult for users to get to the main navigational elements.</p><h2 data-block-key="fnirq">Make your web content accessible to everyone</h2><p data-block-key="1nnke">When using the web, people with disabilities use a variety of assistive technologies and strategies to access content. So, to combat accessibility issues, begin by making the above changes to your website. Accessibility doesn’t have to be hard, so if you don’t have the in-house expertise, our team here at Catalyst are ready to help you. We are qualified on the <a href="https://marketplace.govt.nz/about-marketplace/whats-open-on-marketplace/approved-suppliers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DIA Marketplace for Web Accessibility</a> and offer training, consulting, and support services for the government. Plus, we’re here to support enterprise and not-for-profit organisations too. So if you’d like to learn more about accessibility and how to improve your website, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/Accessibility-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-people-with-disabilities-use-the-web&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact our team</a> today.</p>

<p data-block-key="snag0">This blog post will cover techniques, tools, and assistive technologies people with disabilities use on the web and what improves their experience.</p>

how-people-with-disabilities-use-the-web

<p data-block-key="q9qpz">Drupal 7 EOL (end of life) will occur on 5 January 2025, and the amount of support from Drupal has already reduced. Therefore, in 2024, you’ve got just under a year to figure out how you’ll upgrade to Drupal 10 (the latest version of Drupal). In this blog post, we’ll cover what you need to know about Drupal 7 EOL and your next steps.</p><h2 data-block-key="ai8ds">Can I still use Drupal 7 after its EOL?</h2><p data-block-key="8am4a"><a href="https://www.drupal.org/about/drupal-7/d7eol/partners" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yes</a>. However, you need to be aware of the security risk of staying on an unsupported version of Drupal. If you stay on Drupal 7 you won&#x27;t receive the following from the Drupal community:</p><ul><li data-block-key="ef7ei">Bug fixes.</li><li data-block-key="14fco">Security updates or releases.</li><li data-block-key="e7u16">Feature updates.</li></ul><p data-block-key="2eagr">It can be tempting to stay on something that your team is used to working with. If you’ve used Drupal 7 for years, you might have customised features and work within a range of modules. Because of this familiarity, you might be hesitant about an upgrade. Additionally, you may be uncertain about your budget for this fiscal, or perhaps you don’t even have the time to look into the benefits of the upgrade. But, it’s important to carve time out to consider an upgrade sooner than later. For example, if you leave an upgrade too late, and a security vulnerability is found that affects Drupal 7 after EOL, the Drupal community will no longer provide a patch. Instead, the responsibility falls to you and your developers to patch this. However, if you don’t have the resources available, you can always work with a <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/cms-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=what-you-need-to-know-about-drupal-7-eol&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Drupal partner</a> who can patch and maintain your Drupal 7 instance for you.</p><h2 data-block-key="frn2g">Can I upgrade to Drupal 8 or 9 instead?</h2><p data-block-key="6al9f">No, Drupal 8 and 9 have already met their end of life too. It may seem odd that higher versions have retired before Drupal 7, but there are a few reasons behind this decision.</p><ul><li data-block-key="dsb5v">Drupal 8 had an entire overhaul of the Drupal architecture, allowing for more modern development, as well as regular and predictable release cycles.</li><li data-block-key="1ct84">Drupal 9 was built on top of these changes and continued improvements. Once those versions were completed, they reached their EOL.</li><li data-block-key="98efn">The Drupal community extended the lifecycle of Drupal 7 due to the impacts of the pandemic. This allowed users to benefit from some improved processes made in Drupal 8 and 9 without having to upgrade. However, Drupal 7 doesn’t have the modern architecture to keep building on top of. So, you’ll need to update to the most current version of Drupal, which is Drupal 10.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="30v6n">What are the benefits of upgrading from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10?</h2><p data-block-key="cjarb">Upgrading to Drupal 10 ensures your content management system (CMS) is easier for content authors to use and provides a stable and supported base to build on.</p><h3 data-block-key="5oope">7 benefits of upgrading to Drupal 10</h3><h4 data-block-key="dap1o">1. Performance improvements</h4><p data-block-key="117g0">Drupal 10 has improved performance compared to Drupal 7. The performance improvements include:</p><ul><li data-block-key="epvkj">Enhancements to caching. Entire responses are cached instead of fragments.</li><li data-block-key="buo4o">Fewer HTTP requests due to front-end improvements.</li><li data-block-key="6o5nv">Improves scalability with its modern architecture.</li><li data-block-key="6hmrh">It is compatible with PHP v8.2 and has performance improvements over older versions of PHP, such as 7.4.</li></ul><h4 data-block-key="3sn4j">2. Drupal 10 is built mobile first</h4><p data-block-key="9vebj">Unlike Drupal 7, which required extra modules and customised features to ensure a responsive site, Drupal 10 is built mobile first. Consequently, there&#x27;s no need for custom workarounds or versions to use your site on mobile. That means you can create a seamless experience regardless of the user&#x27;s device.</p><h4 data-block-key="48rmn">3. Improved content creation experience</h4><p data-block-key="4b582">A CMS, such as Drupal, should be easy to use, regardless of your technical skills. That’s why Drupal 10 includes improvements to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WYSIWYG" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor</a>. Essentially, these improvements make it easier to create and edit content structures. For example, you can drag and drop page elements to test different content structures without developer support. Ultimately this will accelerate previewing changes and improve the content author&#x27;s experience.</p><h4 data-block-key="e9eig">4. Addresses a11y head on</h4><p data-block-key="8qtl8">Ensuring your CMS is accessible can be quite time-consuming, especially if you don’t have the in-house expertise around accessibility. And, in earlier versions of Drupal, your theme needed to be modified to suit specific accessibility and usability requirements. However, Drupal 10 addresses accessibility head-on and embeds <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=cms-drupal-7&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=what-you-need-to-know-about-drupal-7-eol&amp;mtm_group=cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG</a> accessibility standards into the initial design versus retrospective modifications.</p><h4 data-block-key="ehc69">5. Developers enjoy working with Drupal 10</h4><p data-block-key="emlg5">Drupal 10 has a robust architecture supporting <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHP" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">modern PHP versions</a>, improved APIs, and easier technology integrations. Basically, these advancements help free up your developers’ time to focus on custom features.</p><h4 data-block-key="4oj2f">6. Work in Drupal in your language</h4><p data-block-key="am2k">Drupal 10 also makes it easier to create websites in multiple languages. In fact, there are over 100 languages available to work with in Drupal 10. So, core components of your Drupal can be in the language you use, and translate every component on site, including offering right-to-left text direction. The multilingual capabilities ensure your site can be accessed by more people in their native languages.</p><h4 data-block-key="34l7m">7. Increased security</h4><p data-block-key="77rq4">Since Drupal 10 is the most recent version of Drupal this means it will continue to receive support for the foreseeable future. This includes bug fixes, patches, security updates, releases, and feature updates. With smaller, more predictable release cycles compared to Drupal 7, fixes will be released faster.</p><h2 data-block-key="c9evm">How do I upgrade to Drupal 10?</h2><p data-block-key="63hbe">Firstly, start with planning how you will upgrade from Drupal 7 to 10. Do you have the in-house expertise and resources to do this yourself? Are they time-poor? If so, focus on the basic upgrade only. Whilst there are plenty of new features available, you can always phase these in for day two. The key is to upgrade the base and ensure you have a secure, stable, and scalable site for the future.</p><p data-block-key="eiksd">The amount of people and resources required depends on the size and complexity of your codebase. For example, if you have a small project, one person could complete the update with support from a project manager (PM) or quality assurance (QA). However, larger upgrades will likely require more developers, time, and expertise to be completed successfully. You can learn more about upgrading from Drupal 7 in <a href="https://www.drupal.org/docs/upgrading-drupal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Drupal’s documentation</a>.</p><p data-block-key="5dsd0">When it comes to planning, experience is everything. If you don’t have the in-house expertise or experience, it’s a good idea to team up with a <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/drupal?mtm_campaign=cms-drupal-7&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=what-you-need-to-know-about-drupal-7-eol&amp;mtm_group=cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Drupal partner</a> to manage the upgrade for you.</p><p data-block-key="4st6m">At Catalyst, we are a Premium Drupal Partner with over 100 years of combined Drupal experience. Plus, our team of experts has performed many Drupal 7 upgrades, Drupal customisations, and we’re known for our expertise in complex migrations. To upgrade to Drupal 10, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/cms-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=cms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=what-you-need-to-know-about-drupal-7-eol&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=cms&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact our team of experts today</a>.</p>

<p data-block-key="lx8pk">Drupal 7 EOL (end of life) will occur on 5 January 2025, and the amount of support from Drupal has already reduced. Therefore, in 2024, you’ve got just under a year to figure out how you’ll upgrade to Drupal 10 (the latest version of Drupal). In this blog post, we’ll cover what you need to know about Drupal 7 EOL and your next steps.</p>

what-you-need-to-know-about-drupal-7-eol

<p data-block-key="uue8v">Koha user groups are when the Koha community can come together to learn about Koha, open source, and libraries. At Catalyst, Rōpū kohinga has three in-person user groups for the start of 2024.</p><h2 data-block-key="chnt8">NZ Koha user group meetups 2024</h2><h3 data-block-key="1r2uj">1. Auckland Koha user group</h3><h4 data-block-key="9voqv">Who can attend?</h4><p data-block-key="40a11">All are welcome.</p><h4 data-block-key="bb7cn">What topics will be covered?</h4><p data-block-key="bvcn1">This Koha user group will have a day of sharing and learning about Koha and open source for libraries.</p><h4 data-block-key="2a1k3">When is the Auckland Koha user group?</h4><p data-block-key="fpod5">Monday 12 Feb 2024. 10 am to 4 pm. The event will be in person only.</p><h4 data-block-key="53bcn">Where is the Auckland Koha user group?</h4><p data-block-key="ciibq">AUT has offered to host on their AUT City campus.</p><h4 data-block-key="aakko">How do I sign up?</h4><p data-block-key="mc4v">Email matthew.banks@aut.ac.nz, and mention if you would like to present on a topic from your library.</p><p data-block-key="14uau">If you’re interested in attending a group training/workshop day run by Catalyst, the day after the user group please mention it in your email.</p><h3 data-block-key="325p">2. Auckland Koha training and workshop</h3><p data-block-key="1pdvb"><i>Please note, that this Auckland training and workshop is a follow-up after the first user group of the year.</i></p><h4 data-block-key="97cse">Who can attend?</h4><p data-block-key="6ifpa">Those who attended the Auckland Koha user group on 12 Feb 2024.</p><h4 data-block-key="33b45">What topics will be covered?</h4><p data-block-key="4cbm5">A range of topics will be covered including Koha CMS/pages functionality, HTML customisations and tricks for Koha, and Data Sovereignty. Plus, there will be a tutorial on how to insert custom Javascript into Koha and an SQL reports workshop.</p><h4 data-block-key="f9f2c">When is the Auckland Koha training and workshop?</h4><p data-block-key="8v1s6">Tuesday 13 Feb 2024. The time is to be confirmed.</p><h4 data-block-key="b2hja">Where is the Auckland Koha training and workshop?</h4><p data-block-key="d5fqt">AUT has offered to host on their AUT City campus.</p><h4 data-block-key="1jvgc">How do I sign up?</h4><p data-block-key="a85qb">Email kohateam@catalyst.net.nz and Catalyst will organise the details and costs.</p><h3 data-block-key="9h7dh">3. Wellington-based special libraries group</h3><h4 data-block-key="c34p1">Who can attend?</h4><p data-block-key="7uc6d">All are welcome.</p><h4 data-block-key="a82tn">What topics will be covered?</h4><p data-block-key="9vusd">The topics are to be confirmed but are influenced by the topics attendees want to discuss.</p><h4 data-block-key="4s02g">When is the Wellington-based special libraries group?</h4><p data-block-key="eskqf">Monday 19 Feb 2024. 9 am – 1 pm. (Subject to change). This event will be in person only.</p><h4 data-block-key="8hfqd">Where is the Wellington-based special libraries group?</h4><p data-block-key="85qcj">The Parliamentary Library.</p><h4 data-block-key="sue7">How do I sign up?</h4><p data-block-key="1eve2">Email brent.mcintyre@parliament.govt.nz if you would like to attend, and the team will keep you updated with the agenda and plans. Please mention in your email if you would like to present on any Koha initiatives at your library, big or small, and mention any topics that you would like to hear about.</p><h3 data-block-key="p2d1">4. Australian Koha user group?</h3><p data-block-key="duq7m">Watch this space as 2024 progresses! We might book something early for an in-person catch-up around VALA in July 2024.</p><h2 data-block-key="5cpqd">Catalyst Rōpū kohinga</h2><p data-block-key="5hbrv">If you have any questions or comments about future Koha user groups or would like support with your Koha instance, you are welcome to email us.</p><p data-block-key="40v8g"><a href="https://catalyst.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=62457ff5060d15ee3c07d3fc4&amp;id=b73fbdcac8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>.</p>

<p data-block-key="rxp7j">Koha user groups are when the Koha community can come together to learn about Koha, open source, and libraries. At Catalyst, Rōpū kohinga has three in-person user groups for the start of 2024. Learn more.</p>

koha-user-groups-2024

<p data-block-key="b4ft7">There’s nothing worse than consuming something and realising it’s past its best-before date. Don’t let your learners experience that with their Learning Management Systems (LMS) content. As an LMS Content Administrator, there can be a lot to stay on top of to ensure your content is appropriate for your learners. Whether it’s catching up on policy changes, meeting new work standards, or fixing broken modules, ensuring your LMS content is up-to-date is essential.</p><p data-block-key="b89h1">In this blog post, we’ll cover how to review your LMS content and the different ways you can create new LMS content.</p><h2 data-block-key="cjf1b">Use the Five Ws and One H as a guide</h2><p data-block-key="97ceo">Great LMS content, at its core, should focus on your learners. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Ws" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Five Ws and one H</a> (what, who, when, where, how, and why) is a great guide to covering your bases for your LMS content - as an easy win, you can already tick off the ‘where’ as your content will be on your LMS. Because you’re creating content for your learners there will be overlap between the Five Ws and one H, but you’ll want to keep one thing at the center, the ‘who’.</p><p data-block-key="ems5f">Who is your content for? Who needs to learn the new policy? Or upskill in a particular area? Who needs to be onboarded? To hone in on your learners’ needs, you can check with managers about their people, review current course outcomes, and use a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Training_needs_analysis" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Training Needs Analysis (TNA)</a>. A TNA is a process to help you identify gaps in knowledge or skillset for your employees. Plus, it’s a great way to check if your content is relevant to your business goals.</p><p data-block-key="9rq8n">Remember, you want to create the best eLearning content and experience for your learners, so you need to understand your target audience&#x27;s needs.</p><h2 data-block-key="7ovb9">Ask questions</h2><p data-block-key="cprnm">Once you’ve clarified the ‘who’ and identified your learners’ needs, you can begin reviewing your current LMS content. Remember to question everything you have and confirm if it ties back to your ‘who’. You’ll have a clearer view of what content works well, what can be tweaked, and what requires personalisation.</p><p data-block-key="flna">To start on a win, tackle some low-hanging fruit. What is outdated and no longer relevant? By noting what is out of date and who has taken the course, it’ll be easier to identify the gaps. If your learners are completing courses and their actions, work, or conversations aren’t changing, ask yourself why. Is the content displayed in the wrong format? Or is the value not apparent? Perhaps the content isn’t clear enough?</p><p data-block-key="d0k02">You’ve likely had your learners reach out when they’ve had an issue with their course. Whether they’re unable to open a module, click on a button, or save their progress. There could be a range of issues causing this and one that shouldn’t be overlooked is <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/scorm-expert-stop-publishing-new-scorm-content?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SCORM rot</a>. SCORM rot is when SCORM content is over five years old and has the danger of being uneditable. Plus, SCORM doesn’t save course progress automatically as the learner progresses if their Wi-Fi connection drops.</p><p data-block-key="bi9rs">To learn how to fix SCORM rot, you can <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-fix-scorm-rot-in-your-lms-2023?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">read our guide</a>.</p><h2 data-block-key="2rte6">Set clear learning objectives and outcomes</h2><p data-block-key="dqpmr">When you’ve got a good understanding of what your learners need, your learners need to know the ‘why’. If your learners understand why they’re getting the training, they’ll be able to see the value within it. To communicate the value of a course, set clear learning objectives and outcomes in your LMS.</p><p data-block-key="1l6tr">You can develop your learning objectives through goal-setting methods, such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SMART goals</a> (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). SMART goals are also useful to return to when developing new LMS content to check if your content is performing.</p><h2 data-block-key="a9bpq">Choose how and what you’ll present in your LMS content</h2><p data-block-key="c9ap0">Once you have a clear learning objective for your LMS content, you’ll need to figure out the ‘what’ and the ‘how’. What needs to be in the content? How should it look and feel? What formats can you use so the content so it’s easily digestible? This process is known as a full instructional design.</p><h2 data-block-key="etigc">How to complete a full instructional design for your LMS content</h2><p data-block-key="bihn5">There are a few frameworks you can work within if you choose to do the instructional design yourself or with the help of an SME. Popular frameworks are the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_M._Gagn%C3%A9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nine Events of Instruction</a>, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructional_design" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ADDIE model</a>, and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructional_design" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ARCS model of motivational design</a>.</p><p data-block-key="9gnmd">When working with your SME, your process needs to be well-defined to get the information you need to turn into learning material. Part of this process includes how you communicate with your SME, as you want to avoid assumptions and bias from creeping into your content.</p><ul><li data-block-key="bl02d">Ask simple form questions to ensure you’re covering all the bases.</li><li data-block-key="ek4fg">Ensure you set clear intentions and expectations around timeframes upfront and keep in mind that everyone works, thinks, and communicates differently. So, check if your approach is working, and try different strategies if not.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="57gb1">LMS content types</h2><p data-block-key="9g99l">You can present your content in your LMS in a variety of ways to alter how your students process the information.</p><p data-block-key="303pd">Here are just a few examples of LMS content types you could use</p><ul><li data-block-key="2idjf"><b>Interactive quizzes</b>: Quizzes can either provide feedback at the end of all questions or each question. You can use a quiz at any stage of the learning journey, from the introduction of new material to revision.</li><li data-block-key="fmuss"><b>Blogs</b>: Blogs or journalling enables learners to <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-the-mahara-portfolio-platform?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reflect on their learning</a>, whether for their reflections or sharing insights with an audience.</li><li data-block-key="ev2or"><b>Videos:</b> Videos are excellent for demonstrating how-tos, and can be an alternative or addition to instruction manuals and guidebooks.</li><li data-block-key="12uon"><b>Podcasts:</b> Podcasts can include things like interviews, monologues, conversations, storytelling, and roundtables. Often, podcasts deepen learning as topics are explored in further detail.</li><li data-block-key="aetsj"><b>Gamified LMS content:</b> <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-effectively-use-gamification-in-elearning?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gamified conten</a>t is a method to boost learner engagement as they can level up, and earn badges and prizes while learning.</li></ul><p data-block-key="f33js">You can create course content using authoring tools such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H5P" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">H5P</a> to add interactive elements to your course. H5P is user-friendly and allows you to offer your course content in different ways to suit different ways of learning. However, it can take experience to know which methods work best for which question types, how to keep your learners engaged and make it easy to use.</p><h2 data-block-key="3l65i">Transform course content into LMS content</h2><p data-block-key="dqpbp">You may have existing course content you’ve used historically for paper-based or face-to-face learning, and you may wish to convert this into LMS content. But this conversion process isn’t as simple as typing what’s on the paper. In fact, there’s a skill in translating content into something suitable for digital learning.</p><p data-block-key="9609e">If you’re looking to convert paper to digital for your LMS course content, partnering with an <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experienced eLearning consultant</a> is a good option. They’ll work with you to figure out the best question types and course formats to drive learner success. Additionally, you can partner with an eLearning consultant to develop new content. So instead of you doing the full instructional design, they do. The eLearning consultant pairs with one of your SMEs and works towards creating valuable and relevant information for your learners. We’ve outlined more about this experience <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">in a previous blog about successfully managing your LMS content</a>.</p><h2 data-block-key="6d1g">Future-proof your LMS content</h2><p data-block-key="6bvnj">Now you’ve got a process in place, how will you future-proof it? When will you find the time to make changes or begin your full instructional design? Maintaining up-to-date and relevant LMS content is an ongoing and iterative process. How will you ensure things won’t slip through the gaps? You can set up regular review periods and follow our advice above, or you could partner with an experienced eLearning consultant whom you can trust with your LMS.</p><p data-block-key="er0r8">Catalyst has award-winning eLearning consultants and LMS experts who have developed content for a range of organisations and requirements. We work with you to find the right solution for you and your learners, to ensure learner success.</p><p data-block-key="4ntbv">To learn more about LMS content development, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/general-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact the team today</a>.</p>

How to ensure great LMS content for your learners

<p data-block-key="m3k6c">As an LMS Content Administrator, there can be a lot to stay on top of to ensure your content is appropriate for your learners. Whether it’s catching up on policy changes, meeting new work standards, or fixing broken modules, ensuring your LMS content is up-to-date is essential. In this blog post, we’ll cover how to review your LMS content and the different ways you can create new LMS content.</p>

how-to-ensure-great-lms-content-for-your-learners

<p data-block-key="r3pgz">Are you looking for a way to evaluate or assess your learners&#x27; portfolio work in your Moodle Learning Management System (LMS)? You can do exactly this with the Mahara assignment submission plugin for Moodle. Plus, your lecturers can continue to work in the Moodle gradebook using rubrics and provide learners with portfolio feedback via your LMS. That means you can seamlessly amplify the experience and assessment support provided to your learners. Read on to learn more about the Mahara Moodle plugin.</p><h2 data-block-key="9sulp">What is the Mahara assignment submission plugin for Moodle?</h2><p data-block-key="664on">Essentially, <a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/assignsubmission_maharaws?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-add-mahara-portfolios-to-your-moodle-lms&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Mahara assignment submission plugin</a> for Moodle enables you to add Mahara functionality to your Moodle LMS. Using the plugin means your learners can use Mahara to create their portfolios as usual and submit them for assessment within <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-add-mahara-portfolios-to-your-moodle-lms&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle</a>. Incorporating <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/guide-to-eportfolios?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-add-mahara-portfolios-to-your-moodle-lms&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a> into your Moodle LMS is a great way to aid students so they can:</p><ul><li data-block-key="6pb2j">reflect on their learning, challenges, and successes,</li><li data-block-key="1uppf">showcase evidence of competency standards,</li><li data-block-key="epks3">track their progress,</li><li data-block-key="1bihq">complete a portfolio as part of an assessment task.</li></ul><p data-block-key="engvn">With the Mahara assignment submission plugin for Moodle, your learners and lecturers can easily access the submitted portfolios. Mahara portfolios from within Moodle, creating a seamless experience between the two applications.</p><h2 data-block-key="6ku7q">Why should students submit their portfolio instead of just sharing it with me?</h2><p data-block-key="b9qdg">When your students <b>share</b> their portfolios with you, you can see both complete and incomplete work. This is great for a work-in-progress and feedback approach. However, when it comes to grading, you might want more control over what you&#x27;re assessing, without students making further updates on the work you are reviewing. That&#x27;s where the portfolio submission feature comes in handy. Essentially, when a student <b>submits</b> their work, the portfolio cannot be edited any more. This means you see their work exactly as it was when they submitted it, and you don&#x27;t have to worry about any changes during your review.</p><p data-block-key="25nkf">Moreover, you can set up the assignment to automatically make a copy of the assessed portfolio. This copy is stored in the Mahara administration area. This is particularly useful for organisations needing to keep assessed work for several years.</p><h2 data-block-key="74ssd">How do I set up the Mahara plugin in Moodle?</h2><ol><li data-block-key="53a3h">You can download the Mahara assignment submission plugin from our public repository on <a href="https://github.com/catalyst/moodle-assignsubmission_maharaws?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_kwd=moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=how-to-add-mahara-portfolios-to-your-moodle-lms&amp;mtm_group=moodle-mahara" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GitHub</a> or via the <a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/assignsubmission_maharaws?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_kwd=moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=website&amp;mtm_content=how-to-add-mahara-portfolios-to-your-moodle-lms&amp;mtm_group=moodle-mahara" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle plugin database</a>.</li><li data-block-key="c9j5d">Once you’ve downloaded the plugin, you need to configure it. To learn how to set up the connection check out the video below.</li></ol><div>
    <iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pj8J1KC9qYc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen title="Mahara assignment submission plugin for Moodle"></iframe>
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<p data-block-key="745f"></p><ol><li data-block-key="euf43">Then, once the plugin is configured, you can use it in a standard Moodle assignment with your regular grading options, including advanced grading options like rubrics and the marking workflow. The grade information is stored in Moodle, allowing you to have a complete view of all your learner&#x27;s grades in one place, including for the portfolio.</li></ol><h2 data-block-key="5st0l">What are the benefits of using the plugin?</h2><p data-block-key="blmtl">The top benefits of using the Mahara assignment submission plugin for Moodle are:</p><ol><li data-block-key="dcch1"><b>Seamless experience:</b> Access submissions directly from within your course space.</li><li data-block-key="3l12e"><b>Prompt portfolio submissions:</b> Set reminders for learners to submit their work on time.</li><li data-block-key="1kq80"><b>Grading tool familiarity:</b> Use the same grading tools you are accustomed to when using the Moodle assignment.</li><li data-block-key="76f28"><b>Automatically archive assessed work:</b> Keep workspaces clutter-free and focused on the next task without worrying about retrievability using the archive feature.</li><li data-block-key="1prtm"><b>Connect a similarity or plagiarism checker:</b> If your organisation requires all assessed work to go through a plagiarism or similarity checker, you can use the Mahara assignment submission plugin in conjunction with <a href="https://www.ouriginal.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ouriginal</a> directly from within Moodle. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-add-mahara-portfolios-to-your-moodle-lms&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Contact us</a> to learn more about this functionality.</li></ol><h2 data-block-key="6ku9e">I need Mahara and Moodle support – where can I get it?<br/></h2><p data-block-key="9sam7">Catalyst is the sole maintainer and primary developer of the Mahara project, so we are well-equipped to handle your ePortfolio needs. Additionally, we’re one of the biggest contributors to Moodle and have won awards for our work, such as <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/catalyst-it-moodle-global-partner-of-the-year-2023?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-add-mahara-portfolios-to-your-moodle-lms&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">‘Moodle Global Partner’ of the Year 2023</a>.</p><p data-block-key="bccvo">Our technical staff and learning designers can assist you with getting the most out of your Mahara portfolio platform and Moodle LMS. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/general-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=how-to-add-mahara-portfolios-to-your-moodle-lms&amp;mtm_cid=how-to&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Contact our team of experts today.</a></p>

How to add Mahara portfolios to your Moodle LMS

<p data-block-key="ia5tm">Are you looking for a way to evaluate or assess your learners&#x27; portfolio work in your Moodle Learning Management System (LMS)? You can do exactly this with the Mahara assignment submission plugin for Moodle. Read on.</p>

how-to-add-mahara-portfolios-to-your-moodle-lms

<p data-block-key="f76dm">Ideally, a content management system (CMS) should be user-friendly and simple enough for non-technical people to add content without help. However, if you want custom features, security measures, or branding you’ll need technical skills to do so. Additionally, if you lack the know-how to host, patch, integrate, or maintain your site, pairing up with an experienced CMS partner is a good solution. A CMS partner can be the difference between a good CMS and a great one. So, how do you know when you’ve found the right one? Once you’ve narrowed down your CMS partner shortlist, here are three signs you’ve found the right fit.</p><p data-block-key="cui3"></p><h2 data-block-key="7hb57">1. They get your business objectives and focus on long-term success</h2><p data-block-key="7p0mc">Firstly, a good sign you’ve found <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/silverstripe?mtm_campaign=3-signs-youve-found-the-perfect-cms-partner&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a reliable CMS partner</a> is when they take an interest in both your short-term and long-term business objectives. They should take the time to learn and understand your business needs without rushing the decision-making process. Part of this process involves identifying what sort of hosting is in line with your business goals and how complex integrations will be taken care of. The solution should be formed around your business-critical systems, setting you up for long-term success. Asking questions to comprehend your business goals is a positive sign they’re understanding your needs. This thorough approach ensures decisions are well-informed therefore, they should be able to anticipate future challenges and technological advances to develop a robust, scalable solution.</p><p data-block-key="tg1s">It&#x27;s important to understand this is an ongoing process to consistently align with your overall business strategy.</p><h3 data-block-key="bu1s5">A quick example to bring this to life</h3><p data-block-key="eaffl">Let’s say your organisation has a call centre and a long-term business goal to answer emails within two hours. However, currently, the wait times for an email response are three to five business days – a deterrent for customers needing quick resolution. Consequently, your agents are stuck in long calls with questions about the same thing. But, if you can enable your customers to find the relevant answers themselves via your website, the number of calls will drop. Not only does this provide the customer with a more enjoyable experience, but it also means your staff can respond to emails faster and complete other tasks. That means, your website needs to be intuitive and user-friendly, so customers can easily find the answers to their questions.</p><p data-block-key="76ti7">To build a solution for you and your users, your CMS partner needs to understand your users and will work with you to do so. For example, how do your users search? What are common topics they need help with? How do they like to access information? User research can influence how information is presented on the page and what customisations need to be included as part of the design for your CMS. For example:</p><ul><li data-block-key="76l8b">A predictive website search factoring in spelling mistakes.</li><li data-block-key="26lde">The ability to highlight trending searches.</li><li data-block-key="c78aa">The option to filter by main topics.</li></ul><p data-block-key="ddc41">A great CMS partner will dedicate time to understanding you and your users’ goals and needs for now and anticipate what they’ll be in the future. Ultimately, the time to research and define results upfront, and in line with your business goals, means you will have a more robust solution – not one where elements need to be fixed retrospectively.</p><h2 data-block-key="2o6js">2. They design and build a great CMS inline with your strategy</h2><p data-block-key="fn9md">Now your CMS partner has worked through the discovery phase, you’ve moved into the design and build phase. By now, you should know the timeline for your new website: the cost, the proposed delivery methodology, and the communication approach.</p><p data-block-key="5c16a">Let’s go back to our call centre example. Suppose your existing website doesn’t match your new branding, and user feedback shows when they visited your website they assumed they were in the wrong place. Essentially, even if your website has improved search functionality and all the bells and whistles for finding information, are your users going to search your site if it doesn’t look like yours? Probably not. If your users know they’re in the right place, they’ll likely spend time on your site. Therefore, establishing a strong brand resemblance within the new CMS ensures <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-work/silverstarter-igis?mtm_campaign=3-signs-youve-found-the-perfect-cms-partner&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">branding is consistent across the board</a>. Inline with branding, and an easy-to-use website, considerations could include:</p><ul><li data-block-key="cvp2o">a familiar hierarchy of content,</li><li data-block-key="8lsjd">content hierarchy and customer journey aligned with your conversion goals,</li><li data-block-key="7r8ds">the same experience across devices,</li><li data-block-key="3ce40">easy navigation for those who use a screen reader.</li></ul><p data-block-key="41s2">Ideally, the design and build process should be iterative to provide you time to review, refine, and improve every step of the way. Additionally, each time you review, there should be a clear correlation back to your business goals.</p><h2 data-block-key="8lo8r">3. They offer great ongoing support</h2><p data-block-key="ap4a8">Once your CMS is built, you may choose to use your in-house team for ongoing maintenance. But, if you’d like to continue working with your CMS partner instead, clarify what ongoing maintenance such as patching, bug fixes, and hosting support they offer. You’ll want a CMS partner to provide great support, assistance, guidance, and solutions both meeting and exceeding your expectations. At its core, great support goes beyond basic assistance and aims to create a strong and trusting relationship that proactively identifies opportunities and risks. This alleviates the burden on your in-house team whilst enabling continual evolution. Ultimately, your CMS partner should be responsive to your needs, offer clear communication, and deliver effective solutions promptly. Plus, they should understand and address concerns, provide relevant information, and ensure a positive overall experience.</p><h3 data-block-key="eri4v">Let’s go back to our call centre example</h3><p data-block-key="4o6s2">So, now your CMS partner has built you a new CMS for your call centre, but has the number of phone calls you’re receiving gone down? You should be able to see what pages users are visiting the most and where they’re dropping off. If your staff is still getting calls about certain topics, your CMS partner should be analysing the information and considering how things can be improved. Everything they do should be future-proofing your CMS, and ensure each decision is tied back to your business goals and long-term strategy.</p><p data-block-key="2i2ss">Now you know what content needs to be updated, does your team know how to use the CMS? You may have just one person who needs to be trained, and then they train the rest of your team and that’s all the support you need. Or maybe you’re after onboarding, ongoing training, and availability for questions, or self-directed study, such as tutorials and guides, your CMS partner should provide a support package option that works for you.</p><p data-block-key="fnp7n">Essentially, your CMS partner should ensure your business goals are always being met.</p><h2 data-block-key="3d8j">Choosing your new CMS partner</h2><p data-block-key="n15b">From working through our checklist, you’ll know if you’ve found the best CMS partner to enable your business goals. At Catalyst, we’re proud to be able to offer this insight from our work in government, enterprise, and non-profits, for over 25 years. Our full-service wrapper enables you to make the most of your content management system, future-proofing your CMS. So, if you have any questions about building a new CMS in Silverstripe or Drupal <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/cms-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=3-signs-youve-found-the-perfect-cms-partner&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us</a>.</p>

3 signs you've found the perfect LMS partner

<p data-block-key="o6bfs">A content management system (CMS) partner can be the difference between a good CMS and a great one. So, how do you know when you’ve found the right one? Read on.</p>

3-signs-youve-found-the-perfect-cms-partner

<h2 data-block-key="io6up"><b>What does your role involve?</b></h2><p data-block-key="3dr3k">I’m the User Experience Practice Lead at Catalyst. In my role, I sit within the BAUX team. Despite this being my title, I spend quite a bit of time doing typical business analysis tasks such as documentation and facilitation. There is a lot of overlap in human-centered design and business analysis (BA). Everyone in my team has skills in both areas to varying degrees and the overlap in skills enables us to have a cross-discipline view.</p><p data-block-key="c77jv">That mix of analysis and design is well suited to me because I like to have some creativity in my job. But I also want to know what is important to focus on, what the drivers are for something, and how people may use or respond to digital applications.</p><p data-block-key="74c0i">In my role, I:</p><ul><li data-block-key="1gba9">facilitate discussions,</li><li data-block-key="40s9i">elicit requirements,</li><li data-block-key="462f3">create <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Website_wireframe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">wireframes</a> (a functional drawing of the layout of a website or webpage),</li><li data-block-key="69b02">architect the information hierarchy of a site,</li><li data-block-key="cj7br">design interactions,</li><li data-block-key="156mm">write option papers,</li><li data-block-key="c1ccv">build a backlog of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_story" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">user stories</a>,</li><li data-block-key="ectj1">design and run user testing,</li><li data-block-key="8c66s">and contribute to documentation.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="et0co"><br/><b>What does your typical day look like?</b></h2><p data-block-key="5d8i5">My day is often full of meetings and workshops and talking to lots of people. Otherwise, it&#x27;s head down getting through writing user stories or creating wireframes. However, I need to make sure I am always available to discuss requirements or anything that crops up. I&#x27;m here to help the developers and the testers understand what is needed.</p><p data-block-key="ch2i8">One of my favourite sayings is, “No question is a stupid question”. If you’ve thought of it chances are someone else has wondered about it too.</p><p data-block-key="9fvbv">So, sometimes I almost need to be the “stupidest” person in the room by asking a lot of basic questions. This can aid in coming to an understanding of an issue or a particular approach. At other times, I need to be the expert on the project. I do this by taking everyone on the journey with me so I can get their agreement and buy-in about what we’re doing, how we’ll break down the work, and how we&#x27;ll build something.</p><h2 data-block-key="91ln9"><b>Tell us about a recent problem you helped solve.</b></h2><p data-block-key="e0bpi">My whole day is helping to solve lots of problems. Sometimes it’s as big as figuring out how to digitise a 28-page paper form and analysing how we can make it a positive online experience where people feel supported. Other times, it can be subtle things, like how can we word this one question better?</p><p data-block-key="e9iaj">Because a lot of our clients are government groups I’ve been able to work on a really rewarding set of projects with importance for most New Zealanders. From the birth of a child through to our nation’s commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.</p><p data-block-key="ah68j">Something that we’ve recently started offering is usability audits. Usability audits are where we take our expertise and understanding of the best practices and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heuristic" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">heuristics</a> people use, and we evaluate existing websites, forms, and user journeys. We produce a report with a view of the things that can be improved and recommendations on how to do that.</p><h2 data-block-key="aqq0a"><b>What do you enjoy about working at Catalyst?</b></h2><p data-block-key="dbbgv">There are lots of smart and funny people at Catalyst, who are great to collaborate with. But I think the overarching thing is that Catalyst cares about their people.</p><p data-block-key="f66a4">For example, when I was pregnant with my second child our (then) office manager bought me lots of different office chairs to try because she was worried about the back pain I was having.</p><p data-block-key="1tl9b">Through the pandemic, Catalyst management were really protective of us. They were well-prepared and good at communicating what their approach was and why. Plus, they always erred on the side of caution rather than worry about business factors, which I appreciated.</p><p data-block-key="d85mj">We have a culture where people can talk openly about their mental health or other struggles and are met with compassion from others. I think it&#x27;s important that they manage to foster a culture that encourages balance.</p>

A Day in the Life of: a User Experience Practice Lead. Headshot of Gretta smiling.

<p data-block-key="cipry">In this edition of &quot;A Day in the Life at Catalyst&quot; we meet <b>Gretta Seebeck</b>, User Experience Practice Lead.</p>

a-day-in-the-life-of-a-user-experience-practice-lead

<p data-block-key="88n1b">Catalyst Rōpū kohinga is delighted to join the Koha community in celebrating the release of Koha 23.11. This release contains 10 new features, 330 enhancements, and 573 bug and security fixes. Read on.</p>

release-of-koha-23-11

<p data-block-key="xwe6d">Wondering how you can master the basics of Moodle and drive learner success? We’ve got you covered with this blog post - you’ll have the quick-fire steps to set yourself (and your learners!) up for success. We&#x27;ll walk you through the basics of Moodle, offering insights and practical tips to help you feel confident in your role as an administrator. Let&#x27;s get started.</p><h2 data-block-key="9l6j8"><b>Understanding the Moodle basics</b></h2><h3 data-block-key="d558b"><b>What is Moodle?</b></h3><p data-block-key="cj34g"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle is a Learning Management System</a> designed to support educators, administrators, and learners. Due to its <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/open-source-technology?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">open-source</a> nature, it’s a flexible, secure, and customisable online learning platform. <a href="https://moodledev.io/general/releases/4.3?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The current version of Moodle LMS Is Moodle 4.3</a>. You can learn more about the latest version in this video by Moodle.</p><p data-block-key="fe4bj"></p><div>
    <iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bqyLY6Nwn4A?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen title="Moodle LMS 4.3 release: An interview with Matt Poritt"></iframe>
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<p data-block-key="4bo6m"></p><h3 data-block-key="bh5c2"><b>User Roles in Moodle</b></h3><p data-block-key="a349u">Moodle operates on a role-based system, where users are assigned specific roles determining their level of access and responsibilities. Here are the key roles you&#x27;ll encounter:</p><ul><li data-block-key="e665n"><b>Administrator:</b> The top-tier role with full control over the Moodle site.</li><li data-block-key="a137r"><b>Teacher/Instructor:</b> Manages courses, creates content, and assesses student performance.</li><li data-block-key="bvj56"><b>Student/Learner:</b> Enrols in courses, participates in activities, and accesses learning resources.<br/></li></ul><h2 data-block-key="9ji20"><b>Administrator Moodle basics</b></h2><h3 data-block-key="559a4"><b>Installation process</b></h3><p data-block-key="6s0ch">Moodle&#x27;s installation process might vary based on your hosting environment. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/10-tips-for-hosting-your-moodle-lms?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">In our previous blog post</a>, we covered 10 tips to host your Moodle LMS well. But, if you&#x27;re new to this, consider seeking assistance from your IT department or a Moodle expert. Otherwise, follow these general steps to install Moodle:</p><ol><li data-block-key="akib4"><b>Download Moodle:</b> The latest version of Moodle is on the official website.</li><li data-block-key="6cenv"><b>Upload files:</b> Transfer the Moodle files to your server using FTP or a file manager.</li><li data-block-key="e2f1r"><b>Database configuration:</b> Create a new database and configure Moodle to connect to it.</li><li data-block-key="7vq1t"><b>Web installation:</b> Visit your Moodle site in a web browser, and the installation wizard will guide you through the process.<br/></li></ol><p data-block-key="a6gbd">If you’re installing Moodle to support a large learner base, or migrating from an existing LMS, we highly recommend working with a trusted partner for seamless implementation. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/catalyst-it-moodle-global-partner-of-the-year-2023?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst is a Global Moodle certified partner</a> that has supported some of the largest tertiary institutes worldwide.</p><p data-block-key="614bn"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-work?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out some of our Moodle case studies to see how we could help you too.</a></p><p data-block-key="5kar6"></p><p data-block-key="cuepo"></p><img alt="500x500 open source" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="400" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/500x500_open_source_MztY6gb.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="9q8l1"></p><h3 data-block-key="eve94"><b>Initial configuration</b></h3><p data-block-key="8hjvu">After installation, it&#x27;s time to set up your Moodle site. Here are a couple of important configurations:</p><ol><li data-block-key="448td"><b>Site details:</b> Navigate to Site Administration &gt; Site Details to set your site&#x27;s name, description, and time zone.</li><li data-block-key="ev80u"><b>Authentication:</b> Choose your preferred authentication method under Site Administration &gt; Plugins &gt; Authentication.</li><li data-block-key="2f7tq"><b>Enrolment methods:</b> Determine how users will be enrolled in courses under Site Administration &gt; Courses &gt; Enrolment Methods.</li><li data-block-key="4es14"><b>Default front page:</b> Set the default front page layout under Site Administration &gt; Front Page &gt; Front Page Settings.<br/></li></ol><p data-block-key="110bt"></p><h2 data-block-key="dvlkq"><b>User management: adding and enrolling users</b></h2><h3 data-block-key="9gb1a"><b>User creation</b></h3><p data-block-key="3lgtb">As an administrator, you have the authority to add and manage users. Here&#x27;s how you can add a new user:</p><ol><li data-block-key="b4rre"><b>Navigate to Site Administration &gt; Users &gt; Accounts &gt; Add a New User.</b></li><li data-block-key="doih2"><b>Fill in the details:</b> Provide essential information such as username, password, and email.</li><li data-block-key="4k6ht"><b>Assign role:</b> Select the appropriate role for the user (e.g., student, teacher, etc.).</li><li data-block-key="cdmh2"><b>Click &quot;Create My New Account&quot; to finalize.</b><br/></li></ol><h3 data-block-key="1bb6v"><b>Enrolling users in courses</b></h3><p data-block-key="8tcmp">Once users are added, you&#x27;ll need to enrol them in courses. Here&#x27;s a straightforward guide:</p><ol><li data-block-key="24m62"><b>Go to Site Administration &gt; Courses &gt; Manage Courses and Categories.</b></li><li data-block-key="185l1"><b>Select the course:</b> Click on the course you want to manage.</li><li data-block-key="5fgt0"><b>Enrol users:</b> Under Course Administration, select &quot;Users&quot; and then &quot;Enrolled Users.&quot;</li><li data-block-key="2pfu9"><b>Add users:</b> Use the &quot;Enrol Users&quot; button to add users to the course.<br/></li></ol><h2 data-block-key="flmep"><b>Course creation and management</b></h2><h3 data-block-key="25lch"><b>Creating a course</b></h3><p data-block-key="f70n9">Creating a course in Moodle is a fundamental task. Here&#x27;s a step-by-step approach:</p><ol><li data-block-key="1qlqs"><b>Navigate to Site Administration &gt; Courses &gt; Manage Courses and Categories.</b></li><li data-block-key="a2i78"><b>Choose a category:</b> Click on the category where you want your course to reside.</li><li data-block-key="74k4b"><b>Click &quot;New Course&quot; and fill in the details:</b> Add the course name, description, and other essential information.</li><li data-block-key="d40ob"><b>Save and display:</b> Choose whether to save and return or save and display your new course.<br/></li></ol><p data-block-key="5ehq4">For a more in-depth look at how to create a new course, or upload an existing course <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-create-a-course-in-moodle?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">check this out.</a></p><h3 data-block-key="9drs"><b>Adding content to courses</b></h3><p data-block-key="533mg">Your LMS course content can be the difference between an engaged or distracted learner. You can check your learner course engagement by installing the <a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/block_dedication?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">course dedication Moodle plugin.</a></p><p data-block-key="897hj">It’s important to have just the right amount of content, at the right time, for the right learner. If you’re new to content creation, we recommend <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">teaming up with a Learning Designer for support.</a></p><p data-block-key="d9t5t">However, if you’re ready to go, once your course is created, it&#x27;s time to populate it with engaging content. Here are a few activities to factor in:</p><ol><li data-block-key="ks3l"><b>Navigate to your course:</b> Click on your course to enter the course view.</li><li data-block-key="9712f"><b>Turn editing on:</b> Click the &quot;Turn editing on&quot; button to reveal editing options.</li><li data-block-key="21pia"><b>Add resources and activities:</b> Use the &quot;+&quot; icons to add resources like documents or activities like assignments and quizzes.</li></ol><p data-block-key="dm9mj"></p><h2 data-block-key="278ll"><b>Communication and collaboration: forums and messaging</b></h2><h3 data-block-key="dpv58"><b>Forums</b></h3><p data-block-key="59ppm">Forums are a powerful tool for fostering communication and collaboration. Here&#x27;s how to set up a forum:</p><ol><li data-block-key="9kg4r"><b>Navigate to the course where you want to add a forum.</b></li><li data-block-key="47i7k"><b>Turn editing on:</b> Click the &quot;Turn editing on&quot; button.</li><li data-block-key="7q2nr"><b>Add an activity or resource:</b> Use the &quot;+&quot; icons to add a new forum.</li><li data-block-key="cp5lp"><b>Configure forum settings:</b> Set the forum type, subscription options, and display preferences.<br/></li></ol><h3 data-block-key="dqvff"><b>Messaging and notifications</b></h3><p data-block-key="95pud">Moodle allows users to communicate through messaging and receive notifications. Here&#x27;s a brief guide:</p><ol><li data-block-key="3dk9e"><b>Access your profile:</b> Click on your profile picture to access your profile.</li><li data-block-key="8p7u8"><b>Messaging settings:</b> Navigate to &quot;Preferences&quot; and then &quot;Messaging&quot; to customise your messaging preferences.</li><li data-block-key="46gpi"><b>Notification preferences:</b> Under &quot;Notification preferences,&quot; users can set how they want to be notified about various activities.<br/></li></ol><h2 data-block-key="bqst6"><b>Moodle basics: security</b></h2><h3 data-block-key="7ie6h"><b>Enabling MFA</b></h3><p data-block-key="bseqo">If you’re using Moodle 4.3, you’ll be pleased to hear Moodle built our Catalyst MFA plugin as standard. However, if you are using an earlier version of Moodle, you should install the MFA plugin for extra security.</p><ol><li data-block-key="2smfm"><b>Navigate to Site Administration &gt; Security &gt; Multi-Factor Authentication.</b></li><li data-block-key="c6e3k"><b>Choose an MFA plugin:</b> Select a suitable MFA plugin from the available options. <a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/tool_mfa?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Catalyst MFA plugin can be found at this link.</a></li><li data-block-key="erv9e"><b>Configure MFA settings:</b> Follow the plugin-specific instructions to configure MFA settings.<br/></li></ol><h3 data-block-key="2ido5">Backup Moodle</h3><p data-block-key="c1rb1">If and when things go wrong, having a backup of your Moodle data can alleviate major issues.</p><p data-block-key="4bjef">You can read more about how to secure your self-hosted Moodle in <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/10-tips-for-hosting-your-moodle-lms?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this blog post</a>. Additionally, you can use the <a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/report_allbackup?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">All Backups plugin</a> for secure Moodle recovery.</p><p data-block-key="40uls"></p><h2 data-block-key="8n2dj">Maintaining Moodle</h2><p data-block-key="6utg7"></p><img alt="500x500 hat" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="399" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/500x500_hat.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="ao5ja"></p><h3 data-block-key="2n1j1">Content and course maintenance</h3><p data-block-key="9kqpb">If your learners struggle to complete courses, it might indicate disengagement with your LMS content. This can be due to outdated, irrelevant, or improperly presented material. To tackle this, follow these five tips for effective LMS content management:</p><ol><li data-block-key="ajehj"><b>Know the lifecycle:</b> Regularly review and update course content, ensuring it&#x27;s relevant and accurate. Keep track of different course versions completed by learners for regulatory compliance.</li><li data-block-key="ffo06"><b>Improve content quality:</b> Utilise in-house expertise or <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/catalyst-it-moodle-global-partner-of-the-year-2023?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">partner with an LMS expert</a> to improve your content for online learning.</li><li data-block-key="6gv63"><b>Address SCORM issues:</b> Identify and resolve SCORM-related challenges, such as &quot;<a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-fix-scorm-rot-in-your-lms-2023?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SCORM rot.</a>&quot; Evaluate the impact on learners and update or replace SCORM content accordingly.</li><li data-block-key="ee9l1"><b>Update SCORM content:</b> Combat SCORM rot by republishing old content with tools like H5P, replacing outdated files, or seeking support from an LMS partner.</li><li data-block-key="bq4fj"><b>Enhance engagement with built-in functionality:</b> Moodle’s built-in content creation functionality is built on modern authoring tools like H5P. This enables easier updates, flexibility, and improved engagement. H5P offers native mobile support, responsive design, and built-in editing tools. The bottom line is to avoid creating new SCORM at all costs.<br/></li></ol><h3 data-block-key="dpkmc">Continuous integration as a Service (CIaaS)</h3><p data-block-key="dqvoq">CIaaS automates testing, enhances collaboration, and ensures quick, reliable updates. Integrate it easily, choosing platforms like Jenkins or GitLab. Elevate your Moodle site&#x27;s efficiency, security, and user experience effortlessly with CIaaS. Catalyst is the only provider offering CiaaS.</p><p data-block-key="3gu5p"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/continuous-integration-as-a-service-ciaas-for-your-lms?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read this blog to learn more about how it will help you and improve your learner&#x27;s Moodle experience.</a></p><h2 data-block-key="4v5n6"><b>Troubleshooting tips</b></h2><h3 data-block-key="b89v0"><b>Common issues and solutions</b></h3><p data-block-key="bbe03">Troubleshooting issues will need to be completed as they arise. Here are some common problems and how to address them:</p><ul><li data-block-key="3rodk"><b>Plugin compatibility:</b> Ensure your plugins are compatible with your Moodle version. <a href="https://docs.moodle.org/403/en/Moodle_version" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This article shows you how to find out which Moodle version you are currently using.</a></li><li data-block-key="465td"><b>Theme issues:</b> Test themes for compatibility and switch to a default theme if needed. <a href="https://docs.moodle.org/403/en/Standard_theme?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn how to switch to standard Moodle themes with this guidance.</a></li><li data-block-key="363ur"><b>Server configuration:</b> Verify that your server meets Moodle&#x27;s requirements. <a href="https://docs.moodle.org/403/en/Installing_Moodle?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This article shows you the Moodle basics of requirements.</a><br/></li></ul><h2 data-block-key="cj000"><b>Conclusion</b></h2><p data-block-key="55d02">Congratulations - you&#x27;ve just scratched the surface of Moodle administration. Remember, Moodle is a supportive platform with a supportive community. So don&#x27;t hesitate to explore, experiment, and seek help when needed.</p><p data-block-key="e0r4c">If you need Moodle support, you’re in the right place. Catalyst is one of the biggest contributors to the Moodle project globally, and the largest in Australasia behind Moodle HQ. We’ve won multiple awards for our Moodle work, plus we work with some of the largest tertiary institutions globally. Our full-service wrapper means we can support you with design, development, delivery, hosting, content creation, security, and everything in between.</p><p data-block-key="fgcsm"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/contact-us?mtm_campaign=mastering-the-basics-of-moodle&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link&amp;mtm_group=elearning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get trusted support from leading Moodle experts.</a></p><p data-block-key="6jmuo"></p>

white lightning strike over a yellow background showing Catalyst are a certified Moodle partner

<p data-block-key="ovtmm">Wondering how you can master the basics of Moodle and drive learner success? We’ve got you covered with this blog post - you’ll have the quick-fire steps to set yourself (and your learners!) up for success.</p>

mastering-the-basics-of-moodle

<p data-block-key="jlucb"></p><img alt="Can you read this easily? An example of a poor contrast ratio." class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Can_you_read_this_text_easily.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="afd4k"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>Can you read the text on the image above easily? No? That’s because it has a low contrast text on the background colour. It has a contrast ratio of 1.18:1 and to meet <a href="https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">accessibility guidelines</a> it should be at least 4.5:1. Familiarising yourself with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) has a lot of helpful information – but it can also take time to understand, explain, and implement. So, in this blog post, we’re covering the nine success criteria for WCAG 2.2.</p><h2 data-block-key="1qvq8">What is WCAG?</h2><p data-block-key="3fe7t">86.4% of website home pages have low contrast text according to the <a href="https://webaim.org/projects/million/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WebAIM Million 2023 report</a>. Additionally, in New Zealand alone, there are approximately <a href="https://colourblind.co.nz/pages/about-colour-blindness" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">200,000 colour deficient people.</a> and approximately <a href="https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/b/blindness-and-low-vision/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">150,000 with low vision</a>. That’s a massive percentage of New Zealanders who can’t easily access content on a webpage due to accessibility standards not being met – not only does it exclude them, but organisations miss an opportunity to communicate better with a broader audience. And that’s just one example of accessibility challenges – by no means is it limited to vision accessibility. So, what other considerations can be made so content can be easily accessed by more people?</p><p data-block-key="fprbu">WCAG was developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make sure websites are more accessible to people with disabilities. We covered the basics of WCAG in our <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=understanding-wcag-2-2-guidelines&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recent blog post</a> but here is a high-level summary:</p><p data-block-key="7lrcm">By following the principles of WCAG, organisations can ensure they’re accessible to people with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments. This way everyone has access to the same information.</p><p data-block-key="328sg">There are four guiding principles of WCAG, also known as the acronym POUR:</p><ul><li data-block-key="8in60"><b>Perceivable</b>: Information and user interface components must be presented in a way all users can perceive</li><li data-block-key="2dr4b"><b>Operable</b>: User interface (UI) components (how you interact with the screen and content of a page) and navigation must be operable.</li><li data-block-key="11li7"><b>Understandable</b>: Navigating a website and accessing information should be easy for a user or a screen reader.</li><li data-block-key="4i15o"><b>Robust</b>: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a variety of users, including assistive technologies.</li></ul><p data-block-key="b2rn6"><br/>Additionally, there are three levels of conformance to meet the needs of different group in WCAG, which you’ll see throughout their criteria:</p><ul><li data-block-key="9tjjt">Level A is the minimum level of requirements.</li><li data-block-key="a8vh5">Level AA includes all Level A and Level AA requirements.</li><li data-block-key="fnlta">Level AAA includes all Level A, AA, and AAA requirements.</li></ul><p data-block-key="2d8d">So think of each additional A on a level like a plus after a grade, so AAA is A++, a gold standard.</p><h2 data-block-key="13j4e">What is WCAG 2.2?</h2><p data-block-key="4r79c">WCAG evolves as the digital environment changes with each iteration further improving standards. As such, WCAG 2.2 was released in October 2023 to account for the increase in mobile use and is the most up-to-date version of WCAG. Plus, it is the next step up from WCAG 2.1.</p><p data-block-key="8e73k">If you think about game versions or new versions of software, you’ll see they follow a similar framework of ‘number.number.’ When you get a new version of a game or software update, they increase the number on the right side of the bullet point as a way to track the update. Updates are built on top of the current version to improve the experience. WCAG versioning works the same way. Basically, if you meet the WCAG 2.2 guidelines, you also meet the guidelines for WCAG 2.1, WCAG 2.0, and so on. So each iteration of WCAG builds on top of the last one, to improve the standard without making any major changes to what is already in play.</p><h2 data-block-key="9ods1">9 new success criteria added to WCAG 2.2</h2><p data-block-key="1917n">The WCAG 2.2 guidelines include nine new success criteria to the mix. And, whilst the success criteria ultimately benefit all users, it’s been introduced specifically for people who have low vision, motor dexterity limitations, and cognitive issues.</p><h3 data-block-key="eak6i">Additions to Operable - Improving navigable elements</h3><p data-block-key="b4tr9">People with low vision or those who use assistive tools like a screen reader, navigate a website with a keyboard. When using a screen reader you tab through the elements on a page, as that’s how the screen reader processes the page content. To know where you are on the screen, there is a keyboard focus that highlights the element you’re on. For example, the title of a list.</p><p data-block-key="8k3ob">In the WCAG 2.2 guidelines, Guideline 2.4 covers navigable elements. We’ll cover the new 2.4 success criteria below.</p><h4 data-block-key="5ledb">1. Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) (Level AA)</h4><p data-block-key="asvv5">The success criteria for 2.4.11 ensures when a user is navigating a site with a keyboard and the keyboard focuses on an element, the element focused on isn’t entirely hidden. For example, if the user is focused on the search bar, a notification or something similar doesn’t completely obscure the search bar.</p><p data-block-key="6a737"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/focus-not-obscured-minimum" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more about Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) (Level AA).</a></p><h4 data-block-key="1148j">2. Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced) (Level AAA)</h4><p data-block-key="fqpgg">Building on top of success criteria 2.4.11, 2.4.12 ensures when using keyboard focus that no part of the element is covered up. Following on from the last example, this would mean that the search bar has nothing in front of it.</p><p data-block-key="dic3n"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/focus-not-obscured-enhanced" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced)(Level AAA).</a></p><h4 data-block-key="apuuv">3. Focus Appearance (Level AAA)</h4><p data-block-key="4cphf">The Focus Appearance criteria ensures a keyboard focus indicator is obvious and clearly visible. An area of the focus indicator should be as large as the area of a 2 CSS pixel thick perimeter of the unfocused component. Plus, the success criteria 2.4.13 states it should have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 between the focused and unfocused states. For example, a focus indicator could be a rectangle, that’s clearly visible when selecting a button.</p><p data-block-key="6b54t"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/focus-appearance.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more about Focus Appearance (Level AAA).</a></p><h3 data-block-key="7tqdo">Improvements to Operable - Reducing movement</h3><p data-block-key="743vf">The next section of WCAG 2.2, Guideline 2.5 covers input modalities to make it easier for a user to use a site in various ways beyond the keyboard. Essentially, Guideline 2.5 are measures in place to decrease the amount of movement you have to make to get access to information if you’ve got a motor disability. We’ll cover the new 2.5 success criteria below.</p><h4 data-block-key="75nmg">4. Dragging Movements (Level AA)</h4><p data-block-key="6n3k7">A dragging movement is when you use a mouse (pen or touch contact) and need to click on a starting point, hold the contact, reposition the pointer, and then release the pointer. For example, when you highlight text. This requires precision, and not everyone can use a mouse to drag their point. Instead of using dragging movements, the 2.5.7 success criteria proposes using a single pointer (a single click), unless dragging is essential.</p><p data-block-key="4l3bl">For more about Dragging Movements (Level AA), <a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/dragging-movements" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><b>check out the QCAG 2.2 Understanding Docs.</b></a></p><h4 data-block-key="f2isg">5. Target Size (Minimum) (Level AA)</h4><p data-block-key="d51pn">Section 2.5.8 makes it easier for elements to be clicked on (like a button), and prevents users from accidentally activating adjacent elements, they must be at least 24 by 24 CSS pixels. Otherwise, they must meet spacing requirements, apart from the specific elements listed.</p><p data-block-key="e7onn"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/target-size-minimum.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about Target Size (Minimum) (Level AA).</a></p><h3 data-block-key="9bi3c">Updates for Understandable - Reducing cognitive effort</h3><p data-block-key="a4it3">Lastly, the new additions to WCAG 2.2 guidelines is to make it easier for accessing help and for multi-step processes to be completed by reducing cognitive effort. Guideline 3.2 covers predictable components of a site, ensuring web pages appear and work in predictable ways. Additionally, Guideline 3.3 covers input assistance to help users avoid mistakes. We’ll go over the success criteria for the new additions below.</p><h4 data-block-key="9ftdk">6. Consistent Help (Level A)</h4><p data-block-key="m719">To be able to find help and support more easily, section 3.2.6 ensures resources are consistently located across web pages. For example, if the website offers chat as a support method, it’s in the same place on every page.</p><p data-block-key="7mt9q"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/consistent-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about Consistent Help (Level A).</a></p><h4 data-block-key="7alur">7. Redundant Entry (Level A)</h4><p data-block-key="dql97">Some people with cognitive disabilities have difficulty remembering what they entered before. Section 3.3.7 means when you’ve already entered information, (such as your delivery address) in a multi-step process, you won’t need to enter the details again. So if your delivery address is asked again in a future step, it will either be displayed for you to copy and paste, auto-populated, or available for you to select so you don’t need to type it out again.</p><p data-block-key="ag"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/redundant-entry" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more about Redundant Entry (Level A)</a>.</p><h4 data-block-key="2b808">8. Accessible Authentication (Minimum) (Level AA)</h4><p data-block-key="3a1gr">When logging into a website, often you need a username and a password, and on top of that two-factor authentication provides you a passcode or a puzzle to solve to login. This login process takes a lot of mental effort, especially for someone with cognitive disabilities. So, section 3.3.8 means that a cognitive function test isn’t required as a step in the authentication process.</p><p data-block-key="8nhon">For more about Accessible Authentication (Minimum) (Level AA) <a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/accessible-authentication-minimum" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">check out the QCAG 2.2 Understanding Docs.</a></p><h4 data-block-key="7pvbl">9. Accessible Authentication (Enhanced) (Level AAA)</h4><p data-block-key="ei2nu">Similar to 3.3.8, 3.3.9 states that the login process can only require a cognitive test if it has an alternative method, or a mechanism in place to assist the user with the test. Essentially, 3.3.9 specifically removes the exception for object-recognition and user-supplied identification tests to further enhance accessibility for users with cognitive issues.</p><p data-block-key="25nhs"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/accessible-authentication-enhanced" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about Accessible Authentication (Enhanced) (Level AAA).</a></p><h2 data-block-key="et2sn">Accessibility support</h2><p data-block-key="2t1fp">So what is WCAG 2.2? Ultimately, WCAG 2.2 introduces new improvements to WCAG so web content is more accessible to a wider range of people. As technology changes, our accessibility standards change along with it, so we can ensure a more accessible web experience for everyone. At Catalyst, our DIA-approved accessibility team can provide you with training, consulting, and support services. To continue on your accessibility journey, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/Accessibility-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=understanding-wcag-2-2-guidelines&amp;mtm_cid=definition&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reach out to our experts today</a>.</p>

<p data-block-key="o9y2f">Familiarising yourself with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) has a lot of helpful information – but it can also take time to understand, explain, and implement. So, in this blog post, we’re covering the nine success criteria for WCAG 2.2.</p>

understanding-wcag-2-2-guidelines

<p data-block-key="e71q5">Have you ever tried to look at your phone in the sun only not to be able to read the screen? Or have you tried to read a road sign only you can’t tell if it’s a street or a lane? What about the dreaded moment when you stand on a piece of Lego you didn’t see coming even though it was right in front of you? Accessibility impacts us in everyday life. However, people living with disabilities are greatly impacted when things such as websites aren’t accessible. An accessible website ensures there are no barriers to information and services. Those in the public sector should have their websites and platforms in line with <a href="https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/design-and-ux/accessibility/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG</a> (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Following WCAG is also a best practice. If you are not quite there yet, there are small changes you can make to create a big impact.</p><p data-block-key="9ol6j">In November 2023, Wainui Witika-Park, Rōpū kohinga developer at Catalyst IT presented ‘Small changes – big impact’ at NDF (National Digital Forum). She outlined three easy ways to improve web accessibility in Koha for people who use a screen reader including blind and low vision users. We’ll be sharing her insights in the blog below.</p><p data-block-key="bv0cg"><i>This blog post focuses on practical steps to improve accessibility in the</i> <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/koha-library-management?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=3-easy-ways-to-improve-web-accessibility-in-koha&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>Koha Library Management System</i></a><i>. However, the principles are translatable across other platforms and web content.</i></p><h2 data-block-key="3f1lg">Think about how people with visual disabilities consume content</h2><p data-block-key="fkbu6">Firstly, consider how people with blindness or low vision consume web content. Now, think about the core reasons people visit websites. Generally, it’s to browse, navigate, and read in detail any stand-out content. Phones and computers have inbuilt features that allow information to be read aloud instead of being physically read. However, when the structure of page information isn’t considered, it doesn’t make sense when it’s read aloud by screen readers. Understandably for screen reader users, it’s frustrating listening to a whole section only to find out it’s irrelevant. Additionally, if there are no context clues for skimming content, it slows down the process of finding the information they’re after.</p><h2 data-block-key="601vn">3 easy ways to improve accessibility in Koha</h2><p data-block-key="9d8bp">These are small changes you can make a big impact on your <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/koha-library-management?mtm_campaign=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=3-easy-ways-to-improve-web-accessibility-in-koha&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=ropu-kohinga&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Koha</a> website visitors.</p><h3 data-block-key="7ehs3">1. Page titles</h3><p data-block-key="6uicb"></p><img alt="A screenshot of Koha tabs. Each tab starts with ‘Koha’ and you can’t tell what content is on each tab." class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="280" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/4563.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="8hsdk"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><p data-block-key="7ld1i">Above is a page from the demo version of the Koha OPAC - it hasn’t had accessibility improvements made to the page titles yet. The tabs only show the start of the word on the page title since the screen is zoomed in. So when you have multiple tabs open, you can’t easily identify which tab belongs to which page.</p><p data-block-key="dg0j4">If your visitors are using a screen reader, when they switch between tabs, the screen reader will read out each page title. But, when it gets to each tab, it has to read ‘Koha’ each time before it gets to the unique page title name. This can be frustrating for screen readers users who want to quickly tab through the first word of each page to identify what’s on each page.</p><p data-block-key="auhr7"></p><img alt="A screenshot of Koha tabs. Each tab lists what page is opened. A mouse hovers over a tab that reads ‘saved reports &gt; guided reports wizard’" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="280" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/A_screenshot_of_Koha_tabs._Each_tab_lists_what.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="dp2gn"><br/>With a few quick accessibility changes to the same example, the tabs display with differentiated titles clearly, even when the screen is zoomed in. Now, it is easier to know which page is which. Equally, that means for screen readers users, the unique information is read first. Now, they can quickly tab through and know which page they’re on.</p><h3 data-block-key="6fjie"><br/><br/>2. Headings</h3><p data-block-key="3uu2u">Headings are the words or sentences on a web page acting as a headline or title to break up web page content. Additionally, they provide page content structure by organising it into smaller, easier-to-navigate sections. For example, an H1 (level one heading) is the highest heading level, and there should only be one H1 on each web page. So, normally a level one heading is used for the page’s title. Then, the rest of the headings should follow a logical hierarchy so it’s easy to understand the context of information on a web page and navigate easily.</p><p data-block-key="6fili">Did you know you can also hide the heading level one with a screen reader-only class? Then, the heading will be accessible for screen readers but have no visual change on the screen.</p><p data-block-key="b4671"></p><img alt="A screenshot of Koha administration page. Arrows point to headers on the page, with a the heading level in a circle saying what heading level they are. For example, Koha administration is H1" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/A_screenshot_of_Koha_administration_page._Arro.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="71aq0">A common trap for accessibility is when heading levels are not used in a hierarchy due to wanting a particular size or font for a section. But you can change sizing and visual elements through styling instead of rearranging the hierarchy.</p><h3 data-block-key="ejp5r"><br/><br/>3. Form and table elements</h3><p data-block-key="8mbl9">Forms and tables are common components found on a website. They both have special headings that help us understand what information they’re presenting. Here are a few easy ways to improve web accessibility in Koha forms and tables.</p><h4 data-block-key="djbc2">Tables</h4><p data-block-key="bj96j">A caption for a table is like a heading. A table without a caption provides no context, especially for a screen reader. A screen reader will jump to the first row of a table, which is jarring without a title. Captions are easy to add to the HTML and there&#x27;s the option to not display them visually.</p><h4 data-block-key="8ldki">Forms</h4><p data-block-key="60elc">Forms are similar to tables, but instead of a caption, you need to have a legend heading in forms to describe the content. You can easily set this up in HTML by adding the legend tag. Additionally, these can not be displayed visually and are still read by a screen reader.</p><h2 data-block-key="4se2j">Need support to improve your accessibility in Koha?</h2><p data-block-key="1f3gi">Our three easy ways to improve web accessibility in Koha are quick changes you can make in your HTML by updating page titles, headings, and form/table elements. These are a great starting point for a more accessible website, but there is more you can do to improve your user experience too. If you want to learn more about improving your accessibility in Koha, <a href="mailto:koha-support@catalyst.net.nz">contact us today.</a></p>

3 easy ways to improve accessibility in Koha

<p data-block-key="jpbbf">In November 2023, Wainui Witika-Park, Rōpū kohinga developer at Catalyst IT presented ‘Small changes – big impact’ at NDF (National Digital Forum). She outlined three easy ways to improve web accessibility in Koha for people who use a screen reader including blind and low vision users. Read on for her insights.</p>

3-easy-ways-to-improve-web-accessibility-in-koha

<p data-block-key="jbrs3">As an educator, your students’ success drives everything you do. Therefore, to maintain uninterrupted learning, it can be hard to find the time to regularly update your Moodle LMS (Learning Management System) throughout the school year. Upgrading your Moodle can mean time away from teaching, marking student’s work, and quality time away from your students. However, postponing Moodle updates can lead to common Moodle hosting issues, such as security vulnerabilities, and maintenance problems.</p><p data-block-key="676q8">With the rise in technology and a hybrid learning landscape post-pandemic, <a href="https://elearninginfographics.com/facts-stats-reveal-power-elearning-infographic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the market growth rate in eLearning has risen by 900%</a> since 2000. So it’s more important than ever to ensure your Moodle hosting is reliable so your student data is safe and secure.</p><p data-block-key="3ihij">In this blog post, we&#x27;ll explain how you can identify and fix your Moodle LMS hosting issues, thus making your LMS more reliable.</p><h2 data-block-key="bm1h3">9 tips to fix your Moodle hosting issues</h2><h3 data-block-key="bsc1b">Improving server performance</h3><p data-block-key="8c9j3">Firstly, you can start by identifying how your servers are performing and rule this out as a Moodle hosting issue.</p><h4 data-block-key="5tdrc">1. Check your server resources</h4><p data-block-key="8kcv7">Have you noticed that your <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=9-tips-to-fix-your-moodle-hosting-issues&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle</a> is running slowly? Are pages taking too long to load, and your students are becoming disengaged? The chances are your server resources may be running low.</p><ol><li data-block-key="5r9qr"><b>Identify how much space your resources have left</b>. Since Moodle is a large application, it can take up a lot of resources on a server. This includes <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random-access_memory" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RAM (Random Access Memory)</a>, disk space, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CPU (Central Processing Unit)</a>. When a lot of background tasks run via the <a href="https://docs.moodle.org/403/en/Scheduler_module" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">scheduler</a>, Moodle can use more than 50MB of RAM per process and CPU. So if you have run out of RAM and find things are running slower than expected, you&#x27;ll need to add more resources to your server.</li><li data-block-key="5eeqp"><b>Optimise Moodle for your active user count.</b> Is there enough storage and available server resources to provide your students with a seamless learning experience? As students enroll in your courses, your Moodle needs to cater to them. Seeing how many users your Moodle can handle at a time is a great way to judge performance. For example, if there is a class quiz that’s to be completed at a set time, can it handle all the traffic during that period? If you don’t have the in-house expertise to do this, consider partnering with a <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=9-tips-to-fix-your-moodle-hosting-issues&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">trusted Moodle partner</a>.</li></ol><p data-block-key="2e8sf">Keeping on top of your server resources is a great way to keep an eye on performance and your Moodle reliability.</p><h4 data-block-key="75dc5">2. Cache your data</h4><p data-block-key="c08ba">To improve page load time and maintain student focus, you can <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache_(computing)" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cache data</a>. Caching data means your data is stored in the RAM so it’s faster for Moodle to access static content. For example, images and fonts. This can speed up the load time of commonly used pages, so there are fewer requests to the database.</p><p data-block-key="bqcte">If you don&#x27;t have the in-house expertise to set up caching for you, you can look into partnering with a <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=9-tips-to-fix-your-moodle-hosting-issues&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle partner</a> who can configure caching for you.</p><h3 data-block-key="eh1bo">Future-proof your Moodle</h3><p data-block-key="btlnl">Now you’ve got your performance issues sorted, let’s focus on how you can ensure Moodle reliability even in worst-case scenarios.</p><h4 data-block-key="8q0q8">3. Ensure Moodle reliability with disaster recovery</h4><p data-block-key="9oq99">Have you ever wondered how you would teach if disaster struck? <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disaster_recovery" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Disaster recovery (DR)</a> is how an organisation plans to respond and recover from a natural disaster or human-induced disaster. These could include flooding, a cyber attack, or even accidental deletion of course material. Your DR plan should include regional diversity, which is when you geographically separate your servers. For example, you could have one in Wellington and another in Auckland. This way you can still access your Moodle if there’s a region-localised disaster such as an earthquake or flood that affects the data centre you’re using.</p><h4 data-block-key="1q1a6">4. Check your backups</h4><p data-block-key="16fpf">The last thing you&#x27;ll want to happen is to lose your students’ work or years of course history. Ensure your data is backed up and set up a plan to regularly test that it’s working. Both your database and site data should be backed up at specific times at regular intervals. This way, a rollback is possible if necessary. Plus, it’s good practice to ensure backups are made available offsite. So, if there’s an onsite server failure, your backups are safe on your external server. Backups can be run manually or set up to operate automatically.</p><p data-block-key="3uk8f">‘<a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/report_allbackups?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=9-tips-to-fix-your-moodle-hosting-issues&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">All backups</a>’ is a Moodle plugin that can take care of your backups for you.</p><h3 data-block-key="3p35q">Moodle development methodologies</h3><p data-block-key="5tojq">Next, review your in-house expertise methodologies to see if their ways of working are optimised for your learners’ development. Below are tips on how to improve Moodle hosting issues through how your in-house expertise works on tests, patches, updates, and releases.</p><h4 data-block-key="1cbt">5. Automate your regular code unit tests</h4><p data-block-key="5ejfb">Students shouldn’t need to find workarounds for the sake of bugs, instead, you should consider automating your unit testing. This ensures any changes that are made to the codebase, from customisations or regular releases, do not introduce bugs in Moodle.</p><h4 data-block-key="ef780">6. Automate code deployments</h4><p data-block-key="894k9">It’s a good idea to develop a deployment schedule as you work towards automating your deployments. Automatic deployments allow your deployments to be run during out-of-school hours so learning isn’t interrupted. Plus, your in-house expertise doesn’t need to do any out-of-office hours when your deployments are automatic.</p><p data-block-key="f7lq1">If you don’t have the in-house expertise to automate unit tests and deployments, work with a <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/continuous-integration-as-a-service-ciaas-for-your-lms?mtm_campaign=9-tips-to-fix-your-moodle-hosting-issues&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle partner</a> who can support you.</p><h4 data-block-key="9sc05">7. Monitor your Moodle 24/7</h4><p data-block-key="56ce7">By having your site monitored for system reliability, errors, usages, and outages, any issues that pop up are discovered promptly and can be addressed quickly. ‘Heartbeat check’ is a Catalyst developed Moodle plugin that supports the monitoring of Moodle by reviewing critical service dependencies. Essentially, it checks the health of your Moodle LMS for you. Once the check has been completed, it provides a link with information on any possible issues.</p><p data-block-key="3vr47"><a href="https://moodle.org/plugins/tool_heartbeat/2018012300/16046?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=9-tips-to-fix-your-moodle-hosting-issues&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn more about Heartbeat check</a> and how it can support you with your Moodle hosting issues.</p><h4 data-block-key="88iod">8. Make sure you’re regularly patching your server</h4><p data-block-key="8gq0a">Keeping your student’s security in mind, if you patch your server regularly, you’ll have protection against security vulnerabilities and bug fixes. Server <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">operating system (OS)</a> patching is equally as important as keeping your Moodle software up to date. Ensuring the OS and installed packages (supporting software) are kept up to date means your Moodle and data remain secure.</p><h4 data-block-key="c3nkm">9. Stay on top of Moodle updates and versions</h4><p data-block-key="9o23f">To have Moodle reliability you&#x27;ll need to stay on top of regular releases as they are made available – Moodle releases monthly updates for supported versions and sometimes more frequently depending on the security implications. While Moodle releases are considered stable at the time of release, it’s always a good idea to have a release and testing phase to ensure everything is working as expected. You can manually deploy a new version and manually test it on a pre-production environment. Or you can rely on automation tools to unit test code, deploy, and smoke check a new release.</p><p data-block-key="1lj75">Check out the <a href="https://moodledev.io/general/releases" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">latest Moodle updates</a> to see if you’re on the latest version as your in-house team has to test and deploy each one.</p><h3 data-block-key="21af3">Work with an experienced Moodle partner</h3><p data-block-key="3j13k">Staying on top of bug fixes, updates, and security is an ongoing task but it’s essential to improve your Moodle reliability. Teaming up with a trusted Moodle Partner, like Catalyst can ensure reliable Moodle hosting 24/7, free up your team, and ensure you have access to the latest patches, updates, and developments. To learn more about how Catalyst can support your Moodle LMS and how you can get more quality time with your learners, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=9-tips-to-fix-your-moodle-hosting-issues&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us today</a>.</p>

<p data-block-key="0r8ph">As an educator, your students’ success drives everything you do. Therefore, to maintain uninterrupted learning, it can be hard to find the time to regularly update your Moodle LMS throughout the school year. Upgrading your Moodle can mean time away from teaching, marking student’s work, and quality time away from your students. However, postponing Moodle updates can lead to common Moodle hosting issues, such as security vulnerabilities, and maintenance problems. Read on.</p>

9-tips-to-fix-your-moodle-hosting-issues

<p data-block-key="8hlo7">As leading experts in web content accessibility, it’s not uncommon people ask us “what is WCAG?”. If you found yourself wondering the same question or wondering how to improve your web content accessibility, this blog post is for you. By the end of this post, you’ll have a good understanding of what it is, the four principles of WCAG, and actionable tips to get started.</p><h2 data-block-key="62trp">What is WCAG?</h2><p data-block-key="beemv">At its core, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is dedicated to inclusivity. Essentially, WCAG is a set of global guidelines for making digital spaces accessible to everyone. Making websites and web content accessible to all ensures everyone can enjoy online knowledge and experiences. Plus, it can help organisations reach a more diverse audience.</p><p data-block-key="1mks9">A common misconception is when accessibility is prioritised, it might compromise design. However, the opposite is true - it e<a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-accessibility-drives-good-user-experience-ux?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=what-is-wcag&amp;mtm_cid=pillar&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nhances user experience (UX)</a>. We’ll cover more on this shortly.</p><h2 data-block-key="7dfji"><b>Why does WCAG exist?</b></h2><p data-block-key="dko85"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/?mtm_campaign=what-is-wcag&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines were first released in 1999</a>. Since then, it&#x27;s received a few updates to keep pace with technology and address new challenges.</p><p data-block-key="12ofh">Essentially WCAG serves as a worldwide tool in narrowing the digital gap for people with disabilities. The purpose is to ensure websites and digital platforms accommodate a range of impairments. For example, visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor limitations. When website owners, developers, and content creators meet the guideline standards, they create an inclusive online experience. However, it&#x27;s important to recognise accessibility extends beyond the end-user experience. Additionally, platform backends should ensure they support a diverse workforce.</p><h2 data-block-key="2bugk"><b>Who Does WCAG Apply To?</b></h2><ul><li data-block-key="6qfkc">WCAG applies to <a href="https://accessibility.digital.gov/?mtm_campaign=what-is-wcag&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">everyone who creates and maintains digital content.</a> For example, everyone involved in web development, design, content creation, and business ownership.<br/></li><li data-block-key="f5tfv"><a href="https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/accessibility/index.html?mtm_campaign=what-is-wcag&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">All public sector organisations in New Zealand</a> must show they are improving web accessibility for everyone.<br/></li><li data-block-key="imle">For private sector organisations, the guidelines are not mandated but offered as a best practice. However, improving accessibility makes the overall user experience better for everyone. Also, it helps your organisation reach and attract a wider range of people.<br/></li></ul><p data-block-key="5hc5m">The main point is that accessibility shouldn&#x27;t be done just to check a box or only for business growth. In fact, <a href="https://social.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Paper%20Accesibilidad%20Universal%20English.pdf?mtm_campaign=what-is-wcag&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">being able to access content regardless of ability level is a human right.</a></p><h2 data-block-key="cm1s2"><b>The Four Principles of WCAG</b></h2><p data-block-key="e383j"><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-principles/?mtm_campaign=what-is-wcag&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are based on four key principles</a> covering important aspects of digital accessibility. The four principles of WCAG are:</p><ol><li data-block-key="elblh"><b>Perceivable:</b> Information and user interface components must be presented in a way that users can understand. This should cater to different sensory abilities.<br/></li><li data-block-key="1musr"><b>Operable:</b> The user interface and navigation should be easy to use and navigate. This will help people interact with and move around in the digital space.<br/></li><li data-block-key="3ep2e"><b>Understandable:</b> The user interface should be easy to understand, promoting clarity and ease of use.<br/></li><li data-block-key="9u11"><b>Robust:</b> The content needs to work well with different devices and tools that help people. It should also keep up with new technology.<br/></li></ol><h2 data-block-key="5hm76"><b>Which WCAG version is currently in place?</b></h2><p data-block-key="amloh">At the time of writing, WGAC 2.2 is the current version of guidance. However, <a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/wcag3-intro/?mtm_campaign=what-is-wcag&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG 3</a> is in draft stage with goals to:</p><ul><li data-block-key="d5h5k">Make the guidance easier to understand.</li><li data-block-key="ddrn3">Cover more user needs.</li><li data-block-key="16pc6">Address different types of web content, apps, tools and organisations.<br/></li></ul><h2 data-block-key="e5f02"><b>First steps to improving your web content accessibility</b></h2><ol><li data-block-key="espej">Familiarise yourself with the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/understanding-wcag-2-2-guidelines?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=what-is-wcag&amp;mtm_cid=pillar&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG 2.2 guidelines</a>.<br/></li><li data-block-key="3apj3">Consider <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-people-with-disabilities-use-the-web?mtm_campaign=accessibility-campaign&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=what-is-wcag&amp;mtm_cid=pillar&amp;mtm_group=accessibility&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">how people with different disabilities view web content.</a> For example, people with visual impairments may use a screen reader.<br/></li><li data-block-key="47a3t">Next, set a standard: any new content created should ‘do better’ and support these user groups. Although there may be many challenges to address, there&#x27;s no need to make them worse.<br/></li><li data-block-key="3i2mp">Also, ensure you have accessibility advocates in your arsenal. The advocates could be employees, external experts like our team at Catalyst, charities, or user groups. Leverage their personal experiences or skilled expertise to carve a path forward.<br/></li><li data-block-key="8171d">Completing an audit of your existing web content is a good step too. Think of it as a gap analysis. What criteria do you need to meet? How well does your website and content compare now? Once you have a list of the ‘gaps’, prioritise fixing the issues. Remember, nobody is expecting you to fix things overnight. Improving accessibility is a thoughtful task. How you prioritise depends on your business goals, resources, cost, and timing. You can find more information on how to audit your website against the four principles of WCAG on <a href="https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/design-and-ux/accessibility/?mtm_campaign=what-is-wcag&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the NZ government website.</a><br/></li><li data-block-key="9cc4b">Your organisation could also attend training sessions to learn more about accessibility, or even have your design and code peer reviewed ahead of going live.<br/></li></ol><h2 data-block-key="1n2g0">Questions about web accessibility?</h2><p data-block-key="1id5m">There’s a lot to consider when it comes to web content accessibility. But, it doesn’t have to be hard or drain your internal resources. We can assist you with a simple web accessibility health check and improve internal capabilities through introductory or custom training courses. Additionally, we can be a trusted partner in fixing your web content.</p><p data-block-key="aj53d"><b>Catalyst’s DIA Marketplace approved accessibility team can support you with:</b></p><ul><li data-block-key="fh43e">Organisation accessibility health checks.</li><li data-block-key="204r8">Website audits against the four principles of WCAG.</li><li data-block-key="63ndb">WCAG training courses.</li><li data-block-key="nomd">Design and code reviews.</li><li data-block-key="c97a2">Accessibility strategy and consulting.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="4dvdi">Need support with WCAG for industry leading experts?</h2><p data-block-key="9vuj9"><br/><a href="mailto:enquiries@catalyst.net.nz">Contact us for more information or to request a free consultation.</a></p>

lightning graphic next to the blog title heading

<p data-block-key="8297q">As leading experts in web content accessibility, it’s not uncommon people ask us “what is WCAG?”. If you found yourself wondering the same question, or wondering how to improve your web content accessibility, this blog post is for you.</p>

what-is-wcag

<p data-block-key="nbsq3">Learning is a matter of gathering knowledge; wisdom is applying the knowledge. But, there’s a step in-between that needs factoring in, too. That step is reflection and it’s at the centre of teaching and learning. Reflection lets learners connect what, how, and why they learned something. Basically, it helps learners make sense of information in a way that&#x27;s personal to them. Consequently, this also makes the curriculum more meaningful. EPortfolios provide a structure for reflection, but their benefits don’t stop there. In fact, there are many benefits of ePortfolios. We&#x27;ve listed 10 of them below.</p><h2 data-block-key="2abt5">The benefits of ePortfolios</h2><h3 data-block-key="ce4t0"><b>Learner-centred experience</b></h3><p data-block-key="8ai11">EPortfolios empower learners to take control of their educational journey. They can create, collect, curate, converse, and connect better with their learning experiences. Additionally, they can create personalised narratives to reflect their growth and achievements. Ultimately, this fosters a sense of ownership and self-direction.</p><h3 data-block-key="a2a9m"><b>Centralised content management</b></h3><p data-block-key="5h01h">Collecting and curating evidence are not the same. For example, learners may spend time collecting lots of evidence, also called &#x27;artefacts&#x27;. However, they need to spend time selecting, or curating, which items to showcase. This will depend on the goal at hand. For example, applying for a job, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-work/mahara-feature-helps-university-to-visualise-learning-progress?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=top-10-benefits-of-eportfolios&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">demonstrating competency</a>, or displaying coursework. So, a platform with a good content management system makes it easier for learners to find and organise their evidence.</p><h3 data-block-key="15ton"><b>Flexibility in portfolio creation</b></h3><p data-block-key="5quls">Next, good ePortfolio platforms enable learners to showcase their learning in diverse ways. Using <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-the-mahara-portfolio-platform?mtm_campaign=top-10-benefits-of-eportfolios&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a> as an example, learners can:</p><ul><li data-block-key="eroe9">Create a portfolio to document and reflect on their learning.</li><li data-block-key="avlfm">Use a portfolio to fulfil an assessment task.</li><li data-block-key="5e7jp">Communicate with internship mentors and academic advisors on a portfolio dedicated to their work-integrated learning experience.</li><li data-block-key="dp071">Present their best work and achievements in a showcase portfolio they use to apply for a job.</li><li data-block-key="6hbls">Track their professional development and reflect on it in a professional certification portfolio.<br/></li></ul><h3 data-block-key="6d93h"><b>Reflective learning</b></h3><p data-block-key="4ak0h">As we mentioned in the intro to this blog post, a key aspect of learning is the ability to reflect. One of the biggest benefits of ePortfolios is it provides dedicated space for this.</p><p data-block-key="e5h78">ePortfolio features supporting reflection include:</p><ul><li data-block-key="3jh2">Learning journals.</li><li data-block-key="apfkn">Audio and video reflections.</li><li data-block-key="16dcv">The <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/mahara-smartevidence-competency-frameworks-at-a-glance?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=top-10-benefits-of-eportfolios&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">mapping of evidence to competency standard</a>s.</li></ul><p data-block-key="66c03">A portfolio with these basic functionalities will undeniably enhance your learner reflection practices.</p><h3 data-block-key="a3c14"><b>Scaffolded portfolio creation</b></h3><p data-block-key="dhqqg">Sometimes, getting used to a new tool or practice whilst also learning new skills can be a challenge. So, offering predefined ePortfolio templates for learners to use, means they can create their portfolios knowing what the minimum requirements are. This scaffolding can be reduced over time as learners become more used to creating their own portfolios.</p><h3 data-block-key="d90ot"><b>Privacy controls</b></h3><p data-block-key="jm2r">Another benefit of ePortfolio platforms is a good selection of privacy controls. For example, keeping portfolios private, inviting others to view them, or sharing portfolios publicly. The learner has the power to decide when and with whom they want to share their work. It empowers learners to share a specific part of their digital identity only when they are ready to do so with the audience that they want.</p><h3 data-block-key="6qv0a"><b>Collaborative learning</b></h3><p data-block-key="6q8qh">Portfolios are personal, but they don’t always need to be solitary projects. In fact, platforms like Mahara support individual and group portfolio creation. Evidencing and reflecting on shared educational experiences is as equally important as individual achievements. EPortfolios created as collaborative projects can also provide professional evidence for teamwork and associated skills.</p><h3 data-block-key="3eiqn"><b>Offline collection capabilities</b></h3><p data-block-key="63f1n">Next, the ability to use an ePortfolio both on and offline can be a huge help to learners. Perhaps they don’t have internet access at home, or they like to reflect on their bus commute home but don’t have mobile data. Regardless of when and where a learner is, an internet connection shouldn’t be a blocker to progress. So, ePortfolios with offline access ensure learners capture what they need when they desire. Then, when they have internet access, they simply synchronise their offline files with their online portfolio space. For Mahara, <a href="https://manual.mahara.org/en/23.04/misc/mobile.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara Mobile</a> offers offline evidence collection.</p><h3 data-block-key="3svra"><b>Freedom to customise</b></h3><p data-block-key="145je">From the URL to <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/bring-your-organisations-brand-to-life-in-mahara-eportfolio?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=top-10-benefits-of-eportfolios&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">theming</a>, language preferences, and available features, customisation is one of the benefits of a portfolio platform that offers flexibility for your organisation. But, it may surprise you to hear not all ePortfolio platforms offer a huge range of customisations. That’s why using an open source <a href="https://mahara.org/?mtm_campaign=top-10-benefits-of-eportfolios&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ePortfolio like Mahara</a> is so beneficial. Due to its open source nature, you can customise and integrate to your heart&#x27;s content. If you’re unfamiliar with open source, don’t worry. There are plenty of community forums and expert support you can tap into.</p><h3 data-block-key="b6298"><b>Community engagement</b></h3><p data-block-key="6kr40">Specifically for organisations using Mahara, the global community they’re welcomed into is an added bonus. The community provides a space for educators to:</p><ul><li data-block-key="dfe66">Interact.</li><li data-block-key="dje1d">Exchange ideas.</li><li data-block-key="flfn4">Share experiences.</li><li data-block-key="48nt9">Contribute to the ongoing development of Mahara.<br/></li></ul><p data-block-key="eqded">Plus, by participating in community events and discussions, educators help shape ePortfolio practice for the future.</p><h2 data-block-key="7l27o">Want to learn more about ePortfolios?</h2><p data-block-key="9qcts">Here are a few helpful links to get you started:</p><p data-block-key="asskl">We created <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/guide-to-eportfolios?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=top-10-benefits-of-eportfolios&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this guide</a> to ePortfolios to help answer a few common questions about ePortfolios<b>.</b> So if, you’re on the cusp of a new educational tool make sure to check it out.</p><p data-block-key="cc7l5">Or, if you’re ready to try a new ePortfolio platform, <a href="https://demo.mahara.org/?mtm_campaign=top-10-benefits-of-eportfolios&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">try the free demo version of Mahara.</a></p><p data-block-key="d10tk">Still have any questions about ePortfolios? You could also check out the <a href="https://mahara.org/forums" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">community forums</a> for similar questions.</p><p data-block-key="c49d6"></p>

Mahara handrwan lightbulb overlayed on green tone triangles

<p data-block-key="09h2h">EPortfolios provide a structure for reflection, but their benefits don’t stop there. In fact, there are many benefits of ePortfolios. We&#x27;ve listed 10 of them in this blog post.</p>

top-10-benefits-of-eportfolios

<p data-block-key="f7oab">Do you find yourself doing big releases to try and fit in more feature work into your SaaS LMS? Perhaps your developers are working out of office hours to accommodate Moodle being offline? Or do you find bug fixes time-consuming? Did you know Continuous Integration as a Service (CIaaS) can help you overcome these issues? Learn more about what CIaaS is below.</p><h2 data-block-key="53ba2"><b>What is Continuous Integration (CI)?</b></h2><p data-block-key="20ug3">Continuous Integration (CI) is a method in software development that makes testing, building, and deploying easier. CIaaS allows smaller releases, so there are quicker fixes or feature rollouts to your SaaS LMS. Developers get fast feedback on their work from their automated tests which speeds up the development process.</p><p data-block-key="5ouj1"></p><p data-block-key="c3l4q"></p><img alt="A graphic presenting the stages of Continuous Integration as a cycle. Beginning with Git, then Gitlab, then unit test, then staging release, then smokecheck then release." class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="307" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Catalyst_eLearning_CI_Continuous-Integration_D.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="a6fo0"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><h2 data-block-key="ffobs">Why would you use CIaaS?</h2><p data-block-key="4ncua">Going back to those questions we asked at the start of the blog post, if you answered yes to them. CIaaS will help. Because it allows you to make the smaller releases, quicker fixes and faster rollouts your learners aren’t interrupted in class due to ongoing maintenance, as updates only take a matter of seconds.</p><p data-block-key="4jjco">Additionally, partnering with <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle?mtm_campaign=moodle-continuous-integration-as-a-service-ci-aas&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst</a> who provides CIaaS means your in-house technical team no longer needs to be on call. So say goodbye to your developers working long nights. Basically, we can allow automatic deployments at any time. This means our developers will complete patches, releases, and maintenance, and be ready to get to the root cause of problems when they creep up. Plus, due to the automated tests in CIaaS, bugs are picked up quicker, so if a bug is found, it’s not released. This means your learners don’t have to work around any bugs that otherwise may have fallen through the cracks. And they don’t need to wait until another big release for the bug to be resolved. Because of the small regular changes to the code, it’s easier for our developers to work on fixing bugs as they don’t need to dig through irrelevant parts of code. With the added benefit of the bug not being live in your SaaS LMS.</p><p data-block-key="6n7e6">CIaaS works across a number of platforms including SaaS LMSs Moodle and <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara?mtm_campaign=moodle-continuous-integration-as-a-service-ci-aas&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tōtara</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara?mtm_campaign=moodle-continuous-integration-as-a-service-ci-aas&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a>.</p><h2 data-block-key="ejtbt">Why is a CI system an essential part of SaaS (software as a service)?</h2><p data-block-key="9qk2m">Now, let’s look at why a CI system and SaaS (software as a service) connect with each other. SaaS is a cloud-based subscription that is accessible online without having to download anything. Beginning in 1991, only small start-ups <a href="https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/history-of-saas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">used SaaS</a>. Today, everyone from start-ups to tech giants use SaaS. Plus, a lot of our everyday software is SaaS, including Moodle and Tōtara which are examples of a SaaS LMS.</p><p data-block-key="fm351">So, how does CI link to SaaS? A CI system is an essential part of SaaS software because:</p><ul><li data-block-key="5smm0">It helps developers, security, and operations to be efficient and effective.</li><li data-block-key="6irgo">It decreases manual and time-consuming work.</li></ul><p data-block-key="cnel9">Essentially, a CI system increases productivity and workflows by freeing you up from manual and chunky tasks in your software.</p><h2 data-block-key="blijh"><b>Who hosts your LMS when you use CIaaS?</b></h2><p data-block-key="cckns">The ball is in your court. Whether you’re self hosting your LMS or using a cloud provider CIaaS is equally effective wherever your LMS is hosted. For example, you might host on cloud providers, like <a href="https://catalystcloud.nz/?mtm_campaign=moodle-continuous-integration-as-a-service-ci-aas&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Catalyst Cloud</a> or it could be Data Centre, or even on prem.</p><p data-block-key="4gvc7">If you don’t have the in-house expertise to host and maintain your Moodle, we can host your LMS for you.</p><h2 data-block-key="3f7tc">Expert support for your LMS</h2><p data-block-key="bqphd">Catalyst has over 20 years of experience with LMSs, and in 2023, our team earned the Moodle ‘<a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/catalyst-it-moodle-global-partner-of-the-year-2023?mtm_campaign=moodle-continuous-integration-as-a-service-ci-aas&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Global Partner of the Year</a>’ and ‘LMS Partner of the Year&#x27;. Additionally, we are a Tōtara platinum partner so, you can trust your LMS is in safe hands with our service. We partner with some of the largest and most renowned tertiary institutes globally, so we know how important it is to deliver quality to your LMS updates. <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=moodle-continuous-integration-as-a-service-ci-aas&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Contact us</a> to learn more about Continuous Integration as a Service and how we can support your LMS today.</p>

Continuous integration as a service (CIaaS)

<p data-block-key="nx59s">Do you find yourself doing big releases to try and fit in more feature work into your SaaS LMS? Perhaps your developers are working out of office hours to accommodate Moodle being offline? Or do you find bug fixes time-consuming? Did you know Continuous Integration as a Service (CIaaS) can help you overcome these issues? Learn more about what CIaaS is below.</p>

continuous-integration-as-a-service-ciaas-for-your-lms

<p data-block-key="k7ab8">Technology in higher education impacts student learning both in classrooms and daily routines. Whether capturing lecture notes on devices or finding inspiration on digital pinboards and social media, tech is everywhere. While it grants access to knowledge consumption, it can also disrupt how learning is tracked and integrated, potentially robbing new insights of depth and significance. Thus, education providers should implement technology to support <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedagogy?mtm_campaign=guide-to-eportfolios-for-higher-education&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">pedagogy</a>. Overlooking this adaptation risks missing opportunities to enhance course creation, student support, and long-term success. EPortfolios are a solution to this challenge. They are a pedagogical tool that fosters lifelong learning and creativity. This blog post is your introductory guide to ePortfolios.</p><h2 data-block-key="533ss"><b>Why you should consider an ePortfolio</b></h2><p data-block-key="abipt">For higher education institutions grappling with budget constraints, ePortfolios may seem like another expense. However, they are an investment in both your organisational and learner success.</p><p data-block-key="ir0a">EPortfolios easily align with your institutional goals, fostering long-term learner success by bridging academic coursework and career development. Tailored for success, they track progress, showcase mastery, and evaluate learning outcomes, providing valuable data-driven insights for course design and retention initiatives. Beyond being a digital tool, ePortfolios embody purpose-driven pedagogy, enhancing digital fluency and preparing students for the complexities of the modern world.</p><h2 data-block-key="cg0ba"><b>You already have an LMS, why do you need an ePortfolio?</b></h2><p data-block-key="f1la">While Learning Management Systems (LMS) and ePortfolios may share some surface similarities, they serve distinct purposes with different intentions and outcomes. An LMS primarily revolves around managing the learning that learners need to participate in, with learning designers and educators setting specific tasks. Conversely, ePortfolios are learner-driven, enabling students to choose and share what they want about their learning and use it as a personal space for reflection.</p><p data-block-key="cdgv9">While an ePortfolio and an LMS have different intentions, they do not have to work in silo. In fact, a great ePortfolio should seamlessly integrate with your LMS via LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) or <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/how-to-add-mahara-portfolios-to-your-moodle-lms?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=guide-to-eportfolios&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">plugins</a>. For example, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-the-mahara-portfolio-platform?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=guide-to-eportfolios&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a> integrates easily with the <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/moodle?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=guide-to-eportfolios&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moodle LMS</a> via LTI and a purpose-built plugin.</p><h2 data-block-key="fsv2n"><b>What are the benefits of ePortfolios?</b></h2><p data-block-key="acfj8">EPortfolios have a far-reaching impact on learners, and the benefits extend to internal and external stakeholders. Here are some of the best benefits of ePortfolios.</p><h3 data-block-key="13q4c">EPortfolio benefits for learners</h3><ul><li data-block-key="ausm8">EPortfolios are not a digital archive. Instead, they are a living chronicle of learning experiences. They empower students to curate and reflect on their learning.</li><li data-block-key="b0mpj">Complemented by open badges, ePortfolios also democratise the acknowledgement of diverse skills and knowledge.</li><li data-block-key="2kh3t">Engaging with ePortfolios goes beyond capturing academic progress; it becomes a tool for skill development, habit building, and capturing and reflecting on real-world learning experiences.</li><li data-block-key="8rklc">Lastly, ePortfolios excel in showcasing learning pathways, credential stacking, and increasing transferable skills.<br/></li></ul><h3 data-block-key="93e8t">EPortfolio benefits for educators</h3><ul><li data-block-key="de9vn">Educators can leverage the ePortfolio as a powerful pedagogical tool for formal and informal learning scenarios.</li><li data-block-key="21uau">Portfolios embody a reflective pedagogy, supporting learners to become reflective practitioners in their careers.</li><li data-block-key="a7akn">Used for work-integrated learning, educators gain a holistic understanding of their students&#x27; journeys and have the opportunity to provide feedback and support them during their work experiences.<br/></li></ul><h3 data-block-key="a91do">EPortfolio benefits for employers</h3><ul><li data-block-key="aj18u">From an employer&#x27;s perspective, ePortfolios provide valuable insights into applicants&#x27; employability skills and capabilities and their personality, enriching the recruitment processes.</li><li data-block-key="deq02">Increasingly, ePortfolios are used for appraisal and recertification purposes, making it a vehicle to track and reflect on skills and accomplishments on an ongoing basis.</li><li data-block-key="73lu1">As educational programmes increasingly foster work-integrated learning, such as internships and work placements, this ePortfolio type becomes essential for providers to engage with learners. It enables activity logging, reflection, and interaction with workplace mentors, for example through feedback.</li></ul><h2 data-block-key="4en27">The five different types of ePortfolios</h2><h3 data-block-key="d94de"><b>Learning portfolios</b></h3><p data-block-key="e3g09">This type of portfolio monitors ongoing student development by tracking progress over time, emphasising reflection. For example, learners choose whether to document and share insights gained from seminars or illustrate their evolution across consecutive learning experiences. The content added or shared in learning portfolios is guided by the learner&#x27;s desire to shape a digital identity tailored to their learning purposes.</p><h3 data-block-key="fvj5i"><b>Assessment portfolios</b></h3><p data-block-key="8m0a3">This ePortfolio is dedicated to assessment and evaluation purposes for specific activities learners are asked to complete and reflect on, for which they will receive a grade. This type is often most tightly integrated into a class and allows for authentic learning activities.</p><h3 data-block-key="1u9qj"><b>Work-integrated</b> <b>portfolios</b></h3><p data-block-key="apbr0">As educational programmes increasingly foster work-integrated learning, such as internships and work placements, this ePortfolio type becomes essential for providers to engage with learners. It enables activity logging, reflection, and interaction with workplace mentors, for example through feedback. Serving as a dual-purpose portfolio for learners and educators, it fosters continuous communication while learners complete their work-integrated learning activities. So, this can facilitate efficient tracking of student progress, allowing timely support and positive reinforcement. The platform enhances the learning experience by promoting collaboration between students and education providers, ensuring alignment with educational goals, and providing valuable insights for ongoing improvement.</p><h3 data-block-key="6mlim"><b>Showcase portfolio</b></h3><p data-block-key="cceks">A showcase or presentation portfolio allows learners to highlight their best attributes through digital curation. Unlike a traditional curriculum vitae, this portfolio goes beyond merely presenting evidence. Instead, it encourages reflective insights. Here, individuals showcase their skills and a narrative on their learning journey. Thus, it offers employers a deeper view of strengths, learning experiences, growth, and work approach.</p><h3 data-block-key="dqolc"><b>Professional certification portfolio</b></h3><p data-block-key="1414n">Typically aligned with competency frameworks, professional certification was historically a tick-box exercise, stating the progress up to the point of the certification. However, recognising the limited value for professional development, this approach has shifted. Using an ePortfolio instead, evidence and reflective insight are presented that tie achievements and skills better to the work an individual is required to do. The professional certification portfolio allows for conversations around that evidence and reflection, fostering professional development discussions that impact future work.</p><p data-block-key="2a74g">Notably, these five portfolio types can and will overlap. For example, a professional certification portfolio may intersect with an assessment portfolio - hence the importance of selecting a flexible ePortfolio platform with which different types of portfolios can be created effortlessly. This allows learners to use one tool for different purposes, reducing cognitive overhead for learning a new tool for different activities. <a href="https://mahara.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mahara</a> is a great example of such a portfolio platform that offers this flexibility.</p><p data-block-key="83lm0"></p><img alt="Mahara types of Portfolios" class="richtext-image full-width" height="451" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Mahara_types_of_Portfolios.width-800.png" width="800"><p data-block-key="1d3g2"></p><h2 data-block-key="a87va"><b>EPortfolio platform selection criteria</b></h2><p data-block-key="51j9e">As noted above, your ePortfolio platform should be flexible. However, there are additional criteria your platform choice should meet:</p><ol><li data-block-key="cdkck">Compliance needs such as <a href="https://gdpr-info.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GDPR</a> for data privacy and <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/what-is-wcag?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=guide-to-eportfolios&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCAG</a> for accessibility should be met alongside established information security standards to satisfy an organisation&#x27;s requirements.</li><li data-block-key="akg69">Support for LTI to connect to your learning management system.</li><li data-block-key="7pg62"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/bring-your-organisations-brand-to-life-in-mahara-eportfolio?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=guide-to-eportfolios&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Full theming capabilities</a> to ensure it reflects your organisation&#x27;s brand so learners see it as integral element of their learning ecosystems.</li><li data-block-key="djs09">The file repository supports multiple file types. For example, PDFs, compressed files, multimedia files, and more.</li><li data-block-key="a0gbl">Progress tracking through competency frameworks or dashboards.</li><li data-block-key="2fsqa">Built-in reporting engine for learning analytics.</li><li data-block-key="bib94">Administrator settings are also key to conveniently change settings without requiring code changes.</li><li data-block-key="e0hig">Scalability to operationally flex with your organisation&#x27;s and learner growth.</li><li data-block-key="s9eg">Self-hosted or managed hosting options in line with your requirements.</li></ol><p data-block-key="c2a0h">There are numerous ePortfolio platforms, but at Catalyst, we believe Mahara is the best ePortfolio solution. Why? Because it ticks all the boxes above and more.</p><p data-block-key="e97mn">Our Catalyst team has been involved with <a href="https://mahara.org/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Mahara project</a> since it started in 2006. We are the core maintainers responsible for security updates, feature releases, and everything in between. We develop the majority of new features and also offer the development of bespoke features to our clients. We are committed to making Mahara a great platform for you in the long term.</p><p data-block-key="23bhp">You can try a basic version of Mahara via this <a href="https://demo.mahara.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">free demo</a><a href="https://demo.mahara.org/?mtm_campaign=guide-to-eportfolios-for-higher-education&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">.</a> However, if you want to enquire about your organisation&#x27;s specific goals and how Mahara could help, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/mahara-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=mahara&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=guide-to-eportfolios&amp;mtm_cid=guide&amp;mtm_group=mahara&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact our team</a><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/contact-us?mtm_campaign=guide-to-eportfolios-for-higher-education&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">.</a></p>

Handrawn Mahara lightbulb overlayed on on multicoloured green triangles

<p data-block-key="upwhp">This blog post is your introductory guide to ePortfolios and how they enrich learning through reflection.</p>

guide-to-eportfolios

<p data-block-key="4wmis">Enhancing your online learning courses in Tōtara Learn is easy when you use some of the best LMS plugins. As a Tōtara Platinum Partner, Catalyst provides an exclusive suite of LMS plugins for our clients. Check out some of our favourite Tōtara plugins to customise your learners’ eLearning experience.</p><h2 data-block-key="arco9">The 4 best LMS plugins for Tōtara</h2><h3 data-block-key="a7imb">1. OJT (on job training)</h3><img alt="Screenshot of an example of OJT on the job training layout" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/ojt_on_the_job_training.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="1gqge"></p><p data-block-key="cjl5o"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>Keeping track of and managing learner progress isn’t just a tickbox exercise. Instead, it’s critical for your learners&#x27; future success. For example, it can help identify skills, competency, and knowledge gaps they need for their role. That means you need to have an established system in place to maintain records and support learner growth.</p><p data-block-key="2eiva">Within Tōtara ‘OJT (on-job training)’ is the best LMS plugin for achieving this. Essentially, it provides digital proof of specific training or skill. The <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-work/success-found-in-open-source-solution-ojt-a-totara-plugin?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=4-best-totara-plugins-by-catalyst-to-improve-your-lms&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OJT plugin</a> works on a screen to record outcomes and sign-off assessments. Additionally, if you have qualifications requiring annual sign-off, OJT can enable recurring qualifications.</p><h3 data-block-key="1cu5j">2. Multifactor authentication (MFA/2FA)</h3><p data-block-key="353fh">Between 2021-2023 CertNZ recorded an <a href="https://www.cert.govt.nz/about/quarterly-report/quarter-two-cyber-security-insights-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">average</a> of 2,266 cybersecurity incidents and an average direct financial loss of $5 million. Whilst not specifically related to LMS incidents, it’s a stark reminder of the importance of good cybersecurity practices. For example, two factor authentication (2FA) or multifactor authentication (MFA) adds a good layer of security against login attacks.</p><p data-block-key="9vgk">Wondering what plugin option can work best? LMS plugins available from Catalyst include the ‘Multifactor authentication (MFA/2FA)’ plugin, allowing 2FA to be part of the built-in login process. So, if a password is exposed, the offending party can’t log in unless they have access to the second factor.</p><h3 data-block-key="ctu86">3. Course/activity completion filters</h3><p data-block-key="8jc6u"></p><img alt="Screenshot of course activity completion filters example" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="333" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/course_activity_completion_filters_.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="7ka54"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p><p data-block-key="dncb8">There’s a level of satisfaction and accomplishment when you can see the progress you’re making towards a course. So, we developed the ‘Course/activity completion filters’ plugin for your learners. We’re confident this is one of the best LMS plugins to visually show learner progress as they complete a course.</p><h3 data-block-key="2ai7h">4. Auto-enrolment</h3><p data-block-key="9crbi">It can be confusing as an LMS administrator when learners click on courses they’re not required to complete. This is because learners are automatically enrolled when they browse course pages. Ultimately, this can result in skewed completion stats.</p><p data-block-key="4dgg8">‘Auto-enrolment’ by Catalyst is the best LMS plugin to remedy this issue. Essentially, from using this plugin, learners are only ‘enrolled’ once they interact with specified activities on the course page. Say goodbye to those skewed results and track course completion more effectively with this plugin.</p><h3 data-block-key="872ra">The best LMS plugin to use before Tōtara TXP 18</h3><h3 data-block-key="5nl8b">1. H5P</h3><p data-block-key="dstvu">Easily maintainable content and learner success go hand in hand. However, working with old <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/scorm-expert-stop-publishing-new-scorm-content?mtm_campaign=4-best-totara-plugins-by-catalyst-to-improve-your-lms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SCORM content</a> increases your chances of uneditable course content. Instead, using tools like H5P makes it easy to edit content.</p><p data-block-key="cjrp9">H5P is the best LMS plugin for adding the HTML5 Package (H5P) content creation tool. H5P allows you to create and share interactive content in Tōtara, transforming the possibilities of displaying content. Additionally, H5P is available as a plugin for all Tōtara users.</p><p data-block-key="fvl9v"><b>Note, in Tōtara TXP 18 and above, H5P will be integrated with Tōtara core.</b></p><p data-block-key="6611s">Already using the H5P plugin? If so, it’s a good idea to mark which courses currently use H5P. This way, when Tōtara TXP 18 is released, you can easily identify which content is coming from what source. When it is released, resist from prematurely uninstalling the plugin. Doing so will remove all the course content you have created with it. If you need support transitioning to the inbuilt H5P functionality without problems <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=4-best-totara-plugins-by-catalyst-to-improve-your-lms&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact our team</a>.</p><h2 data-block-key="d8ubm">Improve your learning experience in Tōtara</h2><p data-block-key="8mmvj">From using our list of the best LMS plugins for Tōtara, you’re set up for an effective eLearning environment. To learn more about Tōtara and how Catalyst can customise your LMS, <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara-enquiry-form??mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=4-best-totara-plugins-by-catalyst-to-improve-your-lms&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us today</a>.</p>

<p data-block-key="iq6p3">Enhancing your online learning courses in Tōtara Learn is easy when you use some of the best LMS plugins. As a Tōtara Platinum Partner, Catalyst provides an exclusive suite of LMS plugins for our clients. Check out some of our favourite Tōtara plugins to customise your learners’ eLearning experience.</p>

4-best-totara-plugins-by-catalyst-to-improve-your-lms

<p data-block-key="5aegn">Are you finding your learners are struggling to complete courses? It could be a sign your learners aren’t engaged with your learning management system (LMS) course content. Is it due to the content lacking relevance? Perhaps the course is out of date. Or, maybe the course is not presented appropriately. Follow our top tips below to successfully manage your LMS content and keep your learners engaged.</p><h2 data-block-key="8gvb6">5 tips for managing LMS content successfully</h2><h3 data-block-key="d8mt4">1. Know the life cycle of your LMS course content</h3><p data-block-key="8vi2k">Outdated content isn’t just a waste of time for learners, it can also be confusing. Additionally, having outdated content can cause a lack of clarity and distrust. It’s essential to have meaningful course content to set your learners up for success.</p><p data-block-key="e2i7u">Furthermore, your course content has likely changed over the years, and learners may be completing different iterations. Maintaining accurate records of course completion isn’t just a <a href="https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/governance/digital-information-management/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">regulatory requirement</a> it can also highlight gaps in your learner&#x27;s training. So how do you accurately track the life cycle of your course content and ensure compliance?</p><ol><li data-block-key="a2q04">Maintain course integrity by checking when the course content was last updated.</li><li data-block-key="9bfrv">Ask yourself what information is missing and what is no longer relevant.</li><li data-block-key="dh5m2">Next, create a list or report detailing which learners have completed which course version and plan for how you will ensure consistency moving forward.</li><li data-block-key="agvc">Develop a recurring review plan to ensure the content is regularly maintained and meaningful.</li><li data-block-key="2i1r9">Check if you&#x27;re making any <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/10-common-lms-content-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">common LMS mistakes</a>.</li></ol><h3 data-block-key="9jm18"><br/>2. Improve your LMS course content</h3><p data-block-key="6etgq">Now you have a plan in place to review your course content, you need to decide how you’ll update or create new content moving forward. There are three ways you can approach this:</p><h4 data-block-key="4l3h5">Option 1: In-house expertise</h4><p data-block-key="6c564">If you have the in-house expertise, your technical team will be able to create the course content for you and identify any technical or content-based gaps. However, if you don’t have the in-house expertise, don’t let this stop you - team up with an <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">external expert</a> instead.</p><h4 data-block-key="303tk">Option 2: Course content delivered by a LMS partner</h4><p data-block-key="5265e">What if your in-house experts have the knowledge of the course materials, but don’t know how to create the online content itself? In this case, an experienced LMS partner is the solution. Course content creation developed in conjunction with an LMS partner is called a ‘full instructional design experience’. Basically, this is when an Instructional Designer, works with your subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop the course content.</p><p data-block-key="1gscm"><b>A full instructional design experience covers:</b></p><ul><li data-block-key="drp04">An analysis of requirements including assessment and compliance, if relevant.</li><li data-block-key="2bp67">The identification of learning objectives and desired outcomes.</li><li data-block-key="a1md6">Development of a course or multiple courses.</li><li data-block-key="1nguf">Design of training materials suitable for an LMS. For example, teaching manuals and student guides.</li><li data-block-key="7paj">Publication of your courses on your LMS.</li></ul><p data-block-key="eb9ts">Working with a learning management system partner frees up your in-house expertise time. Plus, collaboration strengthens the course content: your SMEs share their knowledge to create meaningful courses, and their time is also freed up.</p><h4 data-block-key="aqr4g">Option 3: Translating content for online learning</h4><p data-block-key="tdi4">How about if you have paper-based courses that now need to be accessible online? Some real experience is needed to translate this effectively. So if you don’t have the in-house expertise to do it, work with an <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experienced eLearning consultant</a>. They are highly skilled and can translate your face-to-face or paper-based course content into purposeful digital LMS content. Additionally, they can create bite-sized courses to provide <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/traditional-elearning-vs-microlearning?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">microlearning</a> for your team’s training.</p><h3 data-block-key="apdgp">3. Identify and review SCORM rot in your course content</h3><p data-block-key="347gn">Since 2001, SCORM has been used for presenting content in a wide range of LMSs. However, as we highlighted in our <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/scorm-expert-stop-publishing-new-scorm-content?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">previous blog post</a>, it’s riddled with problems. To name just one, when SCORM is over five years old it has the danger of being uneditable. As a result, &#x27;SCORM rot&#x27; is created.</p><h4 data-block-key="f0ffi">How to identify SCORM content in your LMS</h4><p data-block-key="b7a9f">Firstly, identify SCORM content by:</p><ul><li data-block-key="eugcl">manually going through source files, or,</li><li data-block-key="b0cgo">requesting a report to determine how old your SCORM is. Our <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/t%C5%8Dtara-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">free SCORM report settings</a> help you identify what content is still editable, and how long for.</li></ul><p data-block-key="41jjt">Next, once you&#x27;ve identified your SCORM rot, you’ll need to define how much it impacts your learners. Ask yourself the following questions:</p><ol><li data-block-key="28o7c">Is the content important?</li><li data-block-key="6g5g1">Does the course form part of key learning?</li><li data-block-key="3m89h">Is it an induction course where company changes are not reflected?</li><li data-block-key="6hkm8">Or, is it compulsory compliance training that needs updating due to legislative changes?</li><li data-block-key="f8t5q">Is the content integrated?</li><li data-block-key="fmpbo">Is this course part of a wider program of learning?</li><li data-block-key="bfvug">Is it part of a certification?</li><li data-block-key="34tn9">Lastly, is it a prerequisite to other learning?</li></ol><p data-block-key="6v41d">After you’ve answered these questions, you’ll need to make a plan of attack for your SCORM rot.</p><h3 data-block-key="bd95o">4. Update SCORM course content</h3><p data-block-key="5gatb">If your course content isn’t easy to update it’s more likely to be pushed to the bottom of your priority list. But the longer you leave SCORM sitting in your LMS, the more the rot is going to spread.</p><p data-block-key="9tka7"><b>To fix SCORM rot in your LMS content you can:</b></p><ol><li data-block-key="arfe6">Republish and modernise old SCORM content with H5P - an open source, easy-to-use <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/scorm-expert-stop-publishing-new-scorm-content#https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/HTML5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HTML5</a> editing tool.</li><li data-block-key="fgmlk">Replace original SCORM files with newer content.</li><li data-block-key="ef062">Contact a <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/elearning-content-development?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">trusted LMS partner</a> to find, fix, or update if you need support.<br/></li></ol><h3 data-block-key="4gu8i">5. Enhance engagement with H5P</h3><p data-block-key="bj8r3">20 years after SCORM&#x27;s debut, you’ll be pleased to hear there are more modern authoring tools available. These modern tools are easier to work with and require little technical skills by providing:</p><ul><li data-block-key="243ov">Native mobile application support (mobile-first features).</li><li data-block-key="2ot9c">Responsive design.</li><li data-block-key="dsgfq">Built-in editing tools.</li></ul><p data-block-key="bs9sn">H5P is easy to update and flexible, especially compared to SCORM. With H5P you can continue to deliver meaningful content for your learners without compromising quality. Plus, using H5P makes it easy for you to copy content, make changes, and re-publish as needed.</p><h2 data-block-key="dt0t1">Content development support</h2><p data-block-key="doir7">By following our five tips to successfully manage your LMS content, your learners will have helpful, up-to-date, and meaningful content to support their study. Consequently, this drives success for both your learners and your organisation.</p><p data-block-key="6dj6i">If you need support updating or creating course content, our experts at Catalyst can help.</p><p data-block-key="cgg1a">Check out more information about our <a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/general-enquiry-form?mtm_campaign=edtech&amp;mtm_source=catalyst&amp;mtm_medium=blog&amp;mtm_content=5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content&amp;mtm_cid=listicle&amp;mtm_group=edtech&amp;mtm_placement=link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">content development services</a>.</p>

5 tips to successfully manage your LMS content

<p data-block-key="le4ki">Are you finding your learners are struggling to complete courses? It could be a sign your learners aren’t engaged with your learning management system (LMS) course content. Is it due to the content lacking relevance? Perhaps the course is out of date. Or, maybe the course is not presented appropriately. Follow our top tips below to successfully manage your LMS content and keep your learners engaged.</p>

5-tips-to-successfully-manage-your-lms-content

<p data-block-key="d4tbf">Koha is a Library Management System used worldwide by approximately 18,000 libraries. Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst are passionate about helping libraries of all sizes get the most out of their Koha, and other collection management systems.</p><p data-block-key="4i7vn">This is the sixth post in the Koha tips and tricks series. In this post, Aleisha Amohia (Rōpū kohinga Technical Lead) covers:</p><ul><li data-block-key="e157a">Using the patron search more effectively.</li><li data-block-key="8mi46">Displaying custom library information from the OPAC holdings display.</li><li data-block-key="8o5d3">Sponsoring fixes and enhancements through Catalyst.</li></ul><p data-block-key="d6m8g"><a href="https://www.catalyst.net.nz/blog/koha-tips-and-tricks" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read from the beginning of the tips and tricks series</a>.</p><h2 data-block-key="dep0q">1. Search for patrons with hyphenated names or shared library accounts</h2><p data-block-key="ant3e">If Koha is not returning accurate results when searching for patrons in the staff interface, try tweaking the <i>DefaultPatronSearchMethod</i> system preference. By default, Koha will return patrons where the search field ‘starts with’ your search term. This way, Koha can weed out patrons who don’t match the search criteria very quickly.</p><p data-block-key="b356f">However, this doesn’t work well for hyphenated names and shared library accounts.</p><img alt="The DefaultPatronSearchMethod system preference can be set to ‘starts with’ or ‘contains’" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="348" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/The_DefaultPatronSearchMethod_system_preferenc.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="2pskn">Changing the <i>DefaultPatronSearchMethod</i> system preference to ‘contains’ will enable you to search the whole search field and omit hyphens. For example, a search for “Ryan” will return “Blake and Ryan”, who share a single library card and account. You could also successfully search for “Newton John” instead of the more specific “Newton-John”.</p><p data-block-key="crob"><br/><br/><br/></p><h2 data-block-key="6q5c5">2. Make custom library information accessible from the OPAC holdings display</h2><p data-block-key="feepj">Libraries can now add custom library information to the OPAC holdings display. This feature could be used to share information such as contact details, opening hours, or deals and announcements.</p><img alt="Custom library information is available through the “i” for Information icon" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="348" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Custom_library_information_is_available_throug.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="a5eio">Library information can be written directly in HTML, or with the helpful editor to add simple formatting. This is the same WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor used for the Koha News, HTML customisations, and Pages tools. You can add different information for each library. You can even save translated information for each of your installed languages. When saved, it shows with a little “i” for Information icon next to the library name.<br/><br/><br/><br/></p><img alt="Custom library information is displayed in a pop-up on the catalogue detail page" class="richtext-image left-align-wrap" height="348" src="https://object-storage.nz-hlz-1.catalystcloud.io:443/v1/AUTH_3458c7e192ac4b5880c337b21b3c06fb/catweb_prod/images/Custom_library_information_is_displayed_in_a_p.width-500.png" width="500"><p data-block-key="adi64"><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>To use this feature, go to <i>Koha Administration -&gt; Libraries</i>. When editing a library you can click on the ‘OPAC info’ field, which will take you to the HTML customisations tool. Make sure you select the ‘OpacLibraryInfo’ location from the dropdown.</p><h2 data-block-key="d0ou4">3. Sponsor Catalyst to <b>make small fixes and enhancements</b> in Koha</h2><p data-block-key="c0d68">The Koha development process is robust and assures quality at all stages. The Koha Community works hard to ensure new fixes and enhancements don’t introduce unintended changes elsewhere. As the Koha codebase is constantly evolving and improving, sometimes little things can slip through. Fortunately, libraries can report any concerns to Catalyst and sponsor fixes and enhancements for the whole Koha Community to enjoy.</p><p data-block-key="9nq2k">Recently, South Taranaki District Council sponsored a fix in the Acquisitions module. The fix is visible when adding a new empty record as an an order to a basket. The item types dropdown is now automatically sorted alphabetically by description rather than by code, so it is easier to navigate.</p><p data-block-key="4n5p8">Pymble Ladies’ College noticed that return claims could not consistently be resolved when items were returned. This occurred when the <i>BlockReturnOfLostItems</i> or <i>BlockReturnOfWithdrawnItems</i> system preferences were set to “Block”. Catalyst fixed this so return claims could always be resolved, and lost or withdrawn items would still be blocked from return.</p><p data-block-key="nkq9">Pymble Ladies’ College also sponsored a fix for the display of the return claims table on patron accounts. This bug only existed in Koha 22.11; it was introduced by a newer fix that did not apply cleanly on this version.</p><p data-block-key="9t32f">In 2020, Waikato Institute of Technology wanted to enhance the feature to automatically change the ‘not for loan’ status of an item when returned. This behaviour is controlled by the <i>UpdateNotForLoanStatusOnCheckin</i> system preference. Previously it could only apply blanket changes to all items. For example, a setting of “-1:0” will cause any items set to “Ordered” to be set as available for loan upon return. As of Koha 23.11, libraries will be able to define rules by item type. This means some returned items could have their ‘not for loan’ status maintained, or even set to something else.</p><p data-block-key="69d18">If you notice something in Koha that needs improvement, notify Rōpū kohinga at Catalyst and we can work to stamp out any bugs together.</p><p data-block-key="fuqkn"><i>Stay tuned for more in our &#x27;Koha tips and tricks&#x27; series!</i></p><h2 data-block-key="3iadc">Catalyst Koha</h2><p data-block-key="4qsll">If you have any questions or comments about this News item, or would like some support with your Koha instance, you are welcome to email us at koha-support@catalyst.net.nz.</p><p data-block-key="cd8er"><a href="https://catalyst.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=62457ff5060d15ee3c07d3fc4&amp;id=b73fbdcac8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>.</p>

Koha tips and tricks edition #6. Koha Library Management System Koha is free and open source, flexible, and easy-to-use.

<p data-block-key="77wjm">This is the sixth post in the Koha tips and tricks series. Read on for the latest Koha tips and tricks by Aleisha Amohia, Rōpū kohinga technical lead.</p>

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