How to Get COSE

WHATS NEW IN COSE 2.11

COSE Content Packaging and Interchange

The packaging option to export COSE pagesets (or content) as Standalone Content which adds flexibility for users in allowing a simple means of viewing pagesets without having to be connected to the server. Standalone Content also provides a solution in interoperability as such packages can be exported for use in other VLEs. Whereas content interchange previously referred to transferring content from one COSE system to another, content can now also be imported to systems of the principal commercial vendors (Blackboard, WebCT, Granada Learnwise / Olympus and TekniCAL’s Virtual Campus) as well as to other content development applications and repositories (RELOAD, Intrallect’s Intralibrary).

Accessibility Enhancements

COSE is now accessible by users of assistive software, this has been achieved by implementing the Java Accessibility API, Mouseless operation, Keyboard equivalents for all actions and Accessible names added to all components. Changes made to COSE in order to achieve this are documented, along with progress we have made, the problems we have encountered and what remains to be done. COSE 2.1 supplement can be downloaded upon registering on the support server.

COSE 3

Work has begun on COSE version 3 in parallel with continued enhancement of COSE 2.1.x. COSE 3 is designed to run faster and be more scalable for large numbers of users and large amounts of content. The interface will have a more modular approach with the tools being loaded individually as required rather than all at once. Ease of use and accessibility will be key requirements. COSE 3 will have an improved set of tools allowing easier design of learning experiences by course designers and tutors and will include a full range of tools to support collaborative and group working. COSE 3 will be available as open source software and will be designed to take advantage of leading open source software tools. We will update the site with screenshots and further information as progress is made.