epsilonwriter uses
April, 15, 2011
English translation by Arnaud Delobelle
Document written with epsilonwriter
Summary
Opening a document on the local computer
Opening a document with a link
Saving a document on the local computer
Getting a link to the document
Saving a questionnaire on the local computer
Getting a link to a questionnaire
Distribution of a questionnaire
Self-learning and learning with a tutor
This part is devoted to documents which are not questionnaires, i.e., which do not contain elements added with the "Questionnaire" menu.
An ".eplw" file can be loaded viar the "File / Open" menu item. When the file is in "write" mode (which is the usual saving mode), it can be modified.
Latex files can also be loaded via this menu item.
Clicking on an epsilonwriter link on a web page opens a window in the browser with the epsilonwriter applet and loads the document.
The mode is set to read-only and can usually be turned to write by clicking with the "Edit" item of the main menu.
A source document can be saved on the local computer in the normal mode (write) with the menus items "File / Save" and "File / Save as".
This is the normal way of storing documents which you have created.
At the present time, the applet loses its content if the browser page is refreshed (refresh button or F5). Therefore it is important to save your documents often. The the standalone version of epsilonwriter will have no refresh problem.
Documents can also be saved:
- in HTML with images in order to create web pages which can be read by any web browser; Use the "File" menu. For more explanations, refer to the manual,
- in XHTML with MathML in order to create web pages with beautiful formulas which can be read by some web browsers (Firefox, Opera, Amaya, Internet Explorer with the MathPlayer plug-in - the plug-in must be installed and allowed to run); Use the "File" menu. For more explanations, please refer to the manual.
The content of a document can be emailed using the "Send" menu. In terms of mode, it works like the "Save" menu.
Recipients receive the document in HTML with images for the formulas and with a link for viewing it on the portal.
The "Send" menu also allows to "Copy to paste in email" which allows pasting in any email software. See explanations in the manual.
Using the "Link" menu you can store the document on the portal and get a link to it, which is an ordinary URL. In terms of mode, it works like the "Save" menu. The link can be used as any other link.
Warning: currently, every request for a link produces a new link which takes into account the modification while the previous one refers to the previous state of the document. This mode of operation will change in order to make sharing documents on the portal more practical.
A document can be distributed to others:
- by giving them a file,
- by requesting a link and giving them the link,
- by sending them a message,
- by giving them an HTML or XHTML file,
- by putting an HTML or XHTML file on a website and giving the URL.
It is possible to post a document on a forum with "Post a new topic" by pasting a content previously copied from the document.
Questionnaires are documents including elements added with the "Questionnaire" menu.
The color of the toolbar is blue for questionnaires.
The creation of new questionnaires and the opening of sources questionnaires are similar to ordinary documents.
A source questionnaire can be saved on the local computer in the same way as an ordinary document.
A questionnaire can also be saved on the local computer:
- In questionnaire mode (question) with the menu item "Files / Save as a questionnaire"; epsilonwriter puts ".question.eplw" at the end of the file name. The "question" mode is made for self-learning: the student can access assessment mode at any time.
- In test mode (test) with the menu item "Files / Save as a test"; epsilonwriter puts ".test.eplw" at the end of the file name. In test mode, an assessment password is required; it is possible to give an empty password. This is referred to as "no password" below.
"test" mode with password is designed for learning with a tutor: the tutor will be able to write scores and annotations on the student's work (see below).
"test" mode without password is designed for self-learning: the student can access the assessment but only at the end of his/her work.
The normal way of saving source documents is saving in normal mode (write) on the local computer.
The user manual contains detailed explanations on questionnaires.
A questionnaire can be emailed using the "Send" menu. In terms of mode, it works like the "Save" menu.
Recipients receive the document in HTML with images for the formulas and with a link for trying the questionnaire on the portal.
The "Send" menu also allows to "Copy to paste in email" which allows pasting in any email software. It is possible to do this in the usual mode (write) and in "questionnaire" and "test" mode. Refer to the manual for further explanations.
Using the "Link" menu you can store the questionnaire on the portal and get a link to it, which is an ordinary URL. In terms of mode, it works like the "Save" menu. The link can be used as any other link.
A questionnaire can be distributed as a document. When it is distributed in "questionnaire" or "test" mode, the person who receives it can only answer the questionnaire or test.
The author writes a questionnaire with explanations and provides it (file, mail, link) to students in "questionnaire" mode or "test" mode without password.
Using files:
1. The tutor gives a file in "test" mode with a password to the student.
2. The student completes the questionnaire and saves his/her work. This is automatically done in "endTest" mode, with a filename extension ".endTest.eplw". The student gives this file back to the tutor.
3. The tutor opens the student's file and enters assessment mode using the menu item "Result / Assessment". He/she writes his/her own scores and annotations. At the end, he/she saves the work, which is automatically done in "result" mode, with a file extension ".result.eplw". The tutor gives the file to the student.
4. The student opens the file and reads the scores, the explanations and the annotations.
Using email: the sequence is identical, the communications being made by email.
Using links: the sequence is identical, the communications being made by providing links.