3.1.1. Virtual Learning Environment system requirements and data collection
The MicroCredential collects metadata from a virtual learning environment and transfers the data to a digital MicroCredential; the more of the elements are generated by the platform and automatically is transferred to the MicroCredential, the more the metadata digital MicroCredential has. For the virtual learning platform to generate metadata it needs to collect it during the learning process. Thus, the teacher or institution providing the digital learning experience, such as a course(s) or module) not only needs to design and prepare educational activities, but also need to use the digital learning environment functionality properly for learning process organisation.
First of all, in order to issue a digital MicroCredential, the organisation must have installed version 4 of the virtual learning environment Moodle. Second, the environment that generates learning outcomes. When the selected learning activity (for example a course or module) is designed and prepared in the virtual learning environment it needs to be associated with the learning outcomes. The learning activity outcomes need to be added to the course, linked with the learning activities, and later, when the teacher assesses the learner activities, learning outcomes linked to the activity also need to be evaluated and marked if they have been reached.
Third, possibility to install the MicroCredential plugin (when will be created). Also it is possible to add different data that goes along with the digital certificate, such as issuing body and its details, the learner details, title of the course, module or courses, learning outcomes, learning volume and date range, assessment methods and grades, teacher(s) name(s) and other necessary information.
In order to issue a digital MicroCredential, the organisation must have installed version 4 of the virtual learning environment Moodle. Hardware requirements for virtual learning environment:
Disk space: 200MB for the Moodle code, plus minimum 5GB to store content.
Processor: 1 GHz (min), 2 GHz dual core or more recommended.
Memory: 512MB (min), 1GB or more is recommended. 8GB plus is likely on a large production server.
Separate servers for the web "front ends" and the database. It is much easier to "tune".
All the above requirements will vary depending on specific hardware and software combinations as well as the type of use and load; busy sites may well require additional resources. Moodle scales easily by increasing hardware.
All the fields that will be required for entering the information are pre-created by the administrator of the virtual learning environment:
Mode of learning
Form of study
The scope of learning
Study language
Contact hours
Duration of the course in days, weeks, months
The necessary data is entered into the virtual learning environment. Site administration → Course → Course custom fields.
Figure 1. Course custom fields created by system administrator
If additional information about the learner is required, additional Moodle Distance Learning Environment user fields can be entered in Site administration → User → Accounts → User profile field.
Figure 2. User profile fields created by system administrator
Administrator has to create MicroCredential certificate templates.
Administration block → Certificates → Manage certificate templates.
Figure 3. Certificate templates management (system administrator)
Press button “+New certificate template“.
Figure 4. How to start creating new certificate template (system administrator)
Fill the fields and press “Save”.
Figure 5. Creating new certificate template (system administrator)
- Name: The certificate template name doesn't have to be unique, but it is recommended not to use the same name more than once.
- Course category: The certificate is available in the tenant that uses the selected course category, as defined in the tenant settings.
- Available in sub-categories and courses: if the option is enabled, users (with permission) will be able to use this template inside all courses in this category as well as sub-categories. If this option is disabled, the template will be available in the selected category. When no course category is selected, the certificate is shared across all tenants.
- a. Page width and b. Page height: The default values depend on your server locale and use landscape format.
- a. Left margin and b. Right margin: These are for the edge width on the left and right in mm. The default is 0.
Certificate template designing example (created by system administrator).
The following controls are available in the certificate designer:
- Adding elements to the certificate template By changing the order of the elements using the standard Move icon it will change which element is displayed in front of another. Each item can be renamed via the inline editing option or by simply clicking the label. The Settings symbol opens the parameters pop-up window for each item, while the Delete icon removes the entry.
- Adding a new page You have to specify the page height and width, as well as the page margins. The default values are the ones for the current page.
- Expand and collapse the current page.
- Page actions Move up and down (only multi-page certificates), b (dimensions of the page), and Delete (only multi-page certificates).
- Certificate canvas, for dragging and dropping elements.
Figure 6. Example of certificate template