Valamis 2.0 and designing the learning experience

We've just released Valamis 2.0, which is an total overhaul of Valamis UI into fully responsive design. At the same time we've moved entire Valamis back-end, which was built to support SCORM standard for eLearning, to support xAPI or Experience API (formerly known as Tin Can API). These are big changes, but same time it allows us to look past the limitations of SCORM and Learning Management Systems. That's one of the reasons why we do not call Valamis a Learning Management System. The concept has so much legacy and baggage that it's uncomfortably deprecated. 

Focus on informal learning and creating great learning experiences is more describing for Valamis. That's why we're more comfortable calling Valamis a Learning eXperience Solution (LXS). It is a better concept for next generation learning solution and does not limit innovation as LMS concept does. We are sure that Valamis 2.0 is paving road for many other LXS's into the online learning.

Our design principles for Valamis 2.0 have been the most important technology trends in online learning for 2014. Responsive design, Mobile learning, xAPI, Learning Analytics, Gamification and Social Learning. All this natively within the most powerful Portal Platform, Liferay.

Developing and integrating an Enterprise-Grade Learning Record Store (a big part of xAPI standard) into Liferay has been huge task. We have been able to touch the key xAPI integration points for Liferay. We're able to track learning experiences using xAPI through Liferay Articles, HTML5 presentations, external content, SCORM packages (1.2 through 2004 4rd edition). All this information is tracked into powerful Enterprise-Grade Learning Record Store. Our LRS provides external access via OAuth for distributed solutions like games, simulators and other learning platforms supporting xAPI in various learning scenarios.

Big piece of next-gen online learning is gamification. It can really engage users into the task in hand and while it can also leverage organizations values and policies throughout intranets, portals and other collaboration platform. By increasing interest and engagement during formal and informal learning, students are able to better understand the essence of what they are learning. With Valamis 2.0 you're able to set formal and informal learning goals for users and learners.

As one of the many new features Valamis 2.0 adds leaderboards for learners which can improve community's social dynamic. These features engage participants in non-serious competition. By publicly rewarding completion or mastery, learners will feel driven to compete. Gamification can foster positive social interactions and new connections among users. Instead of losing productivity because new learners are alone or intimidated, a gamified training process can get new users accustomed to new learning experiences and feeling comfortable right from the start. Additionally, it can put them directly in-touch with experts and share valuable information and experiences. To put it short, gamification will save your organization time and money.

We're organizing Valamis 2.0 release party and webinar on 25th of June. We will be showing Valamis 2.0 new features, celebrate release of new version and have an q&a for user community or anybody who's interested in Valamis. You can join here https://plus.google.com/events/cr1mk63dinl3u0on5rb1rpu6g8c

You can find more information about Valamis at www.valamislearning.com. We will be submitting Valamis 2.0 to Liferay Marketplace for download shortly after the webinar (pending Marketplace QA).

 

[Janne Hietala]

Recording of the webinar can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHO7HosGTq4

Also, Valamis 2.0 is also now available from Liferay Marketplace!