Authoring a LAMS lesson
This guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to author a LAMS lesson.
Deepak Barnabas
21 steps
Accessing Author mode
1
Go to <https://imperial.lamsinternational.com/lams/index.do> and click on the **Author** button in top right corner.
Using LAMS templates
If you regularly use LAMS lessons of a certain type, it is best to create a template for your module. In the example below, you can see how to open the CSI lesson template
2
In the Authoring Window that opens up from [[Step 1]] click **Open**
3
In the window that opens, navigate to the template. Note that you will need to click *on* the relevant folder icons in the sidebar to open the respective folders. Clicking on the titles will not open the folders. Once you have clicked the correct template, click **Open**.
4
As soon as you open the template, click on **Save as** and Save your lesson with a new name under the Courses folder. You can access the **Save as** command by clicking on the down arrow next to the **Save** command.
**WARNING**: You will be **overwriting** the template with exam information if you skip the step above. It is crucial to save your file before editing to avoid overwriting the template.
Using the Wizard
5
Click on **Down arrow** next to **New**, and click on **Use Learning Design Wizards**
6
The Wizard will guide you through the steps in creating a LAMS lesson. Keep progressing until finish. There is a progress bar at the top to help you manage the process. For more information go to: <https://docs.lamsfoundation.org/tbl/tbl-for-teachers/getting-started/tbl-design-wizard-1>
Editing lesson sequence
7
You can edit the order of the sequence and add/remove components from the sequence using the flowchart editor.
Always ensure you can see the transition from start to finish. Transitions are represented by arrows. If there is a missing transition, use the **transition** button to add transitions.
Editing gates
8
Gates help control passage of students to the next component in the sequence. Gates are represented by a filled-red circle containing a person. There are two main types of gates: 1. Password gate 2. Permission gate
Password gates allow students to pass only when they type in the password pre-set by the lesson author
Permission gates allow students to pass only when the lesson monitor opens the gate in the monitor view.
Importing from .docx
9
Double-click the **iRAT component** in the lesson sequence
10
Click on **Import questions** and choose **MS Word** from the drop down list
11
Select an unencrypted MSWord .docx file that has been saved using the LAMS format described below (SBA or VSAQ as applicable). Follow the on-screen instructions and import.
LAMS format .docx for SBAs
12
Open the document containing your questions
13
Open a New Word Document and paste the questions making sure you do the following: 1. Write a title for each question and prefix it with "Question:" 2. Remove any numbering from the question. 3. Ensure that the numbering for the options is "a)", "b)", "c)" and "d)" 4. Write down the answer using ONLY the option number. for example, "Answer: a" 5. Remove all extra information (yellow boxes) 6. Delete any comments that get copied accidentally 7. Leave a line break before pasting the next question
14
Your final file should look like below (for example)
In CSI lessons, it is helpful to use the titles of the associated tasks from the summary slide as the question title
Make sure charts and tables are pasted as images instead of raw tables/charts
15
Encrypt the file using the standard password and send it to the liaison person in the DEO
LAMS format .docx for VSA
16
Open a New Word Document and paste the VSAQ questions making sure you do the following: 1. Write a title for each question and prefix it with "Question:" 2. Remove any numbering from the question. 3. Ensure that each question has a set of answers for "Correct:" and "Incorrect:". 4. It is **vital** that you include "Incorrect:" answers. If you are unable to think of any, write "I don't know" as an incorrect answer. 5. Write all variations possible for both correct and incorrect (capitalisation variations not required). 6. Leave a line break before the next question.
17
Your final file should look like below (for example)
Make sure charts and tables are pasted as images instead of raw tables/charts
18
Encrypt the file using the standard password and send it to the liaison person in the DEO
Import from Question bank
19
Select the **Question bank** toggle to search and import questions from the question bank.
20
Use **Advanced search** to limit search by collection (folders) or question type.
Advanced features
21
For more information about advanced features including different component types visit the official documentation below <https://docs.lamsfoundation.org/tbl/tbl-for-teachers/getting-started/useful-tbl-features>
Authoring a LAMS lesson
This guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to author a LAMS lesson.
Deepak Barnabas
21 steps
Accessing Author mode
1
Go to <https://imperial.lamsinternational.com/lams/index.do> and click on the **Author** button in top right corner.
Using LAMS templates
If you regularly use LAMS lessons of a certain type, it is best to create a template for your module. In the example below, you can see how to open the CSI lesson template
2
In the Authoring Window that opens up from [[Step 1]] click **Open**
3
In the window that opens, navigate to the template. Note that you will need to click *on* the relevant folder icons in the sidebar to open the respective folders. Clicking on the titles will not open the folders. Once you have clicked the correct template, click **Open**.
4
As soon as you open the template, click on **Save as** and Save your lesson with a new name under the Courses folder. You can access the **Save as** command by clicking on the down arrow next to the **Save** command.
**WARNING**: You will be **overwriting** the template with exam information if you skip the step above. It is crucial to save your file before editing to avoid overwriting the template.
Using the Wizard
5
Click on **Down arrow** next to **New**, and click on **Use Learning Design Wizards**
6
The Wizard will guide you through the steps in creating a LAMS lesson. Keep progressing until finish. There is a progress bar at the top to help you manage the process. For more information go to: <https://docs.lamsfoundation.org/tbl/tbl-for-teachers/getting-started/tbl-design-wizard-1>
Editing lesson sequence
7
You can edit the order of the sequence and add/remove components from the sequence using the flowchart editor.
Always ensure you can see the transition from start to finish. Transitions are represented by arrows. If there is a missing transition, use the **transition** button to add transitions.
Editing gates
8
Gates help control passage of students to the next component in the sequence. Gates are represented by a filled-red circle containing a person. There are two main types of gates: 1. Password gate 2. Permission gate
Password gates allow students to pass only when they type in the password pre-set by the lesson author
Permission gates allow students to pass only when the lesson monitor opens the gate in the monitor view.
Importing from .docx
9
Double-click the **iRAT component** in the lesson sequence
10
Click on **Import questions** and choose **MS Word** from the drop down list
11
Select an unencrypted MSWord .docx file that has been saved using the LAMS format described below (SBA or VSAQ as applicable). Follow the on-screen instructions and import.
LAMS format .docx for SBAs
12
Open the document containing your questions
13
Open a New Word Document and paste the questions making sure you do the following: 1. Write a title for each question and prefix it with "Question:" 2. Remove any numbering from the question. 3. Ensure that the numbering for the options is "a)", "b)", "c)" and "d)" 4. Write down the answer using ONLY the option number. for example, "Answer: a" 5. Remove all extra information (yellow boxes) 6. Delete any comments that get copied accidentally 7. Leave a line break before pasting the next question
14
Your final file should look like below (for example)
In CSI lessons, it is helpful to use the titles of the associated tasks from the summary slide as the question title
Make sure charts and tables are pasted as images instead of raw tables/charts
15
Encrypt the file using the standard password and send it to the liaison person in the DEO
LAMS format .docx for VSA
16
Open a New Word Document and paste the VSAQ questions making sure you do the following: 1. Write a title for each question and prefix it with "Question:" 2. Remove any numbering from the question. 3. Ensure that each question has a set of answers for "Correct:" and "Incorrect:". 4. It is **vital** that you include "Incorrect:" answers. If you are unable to think of any, write "I don't know" as an incorrect answer. 5. Write all variations possible for both correct and incorrect (capitalisation variations not required). 6. Leave a line break before the next question.
17
Your final file should look like below (for example)
Make sure charts and tables are pasted as images instead of raw tables/charts
18
Encrypt the file using the standard password and send it to the liaison person in the DEO
Import from Question bank
19
Select the **Question bank** toggle to search and import questions from the question bank.
20
Use **Advanced search** to limit search by collection (folders) or question type.
Advanced features
21
For more information about advanced features including different component types visit the official documentation below <https://docs.lamsfoundation.org/tbl/tbl-for-teachers/getting-started/useful-tbl-features>
