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How to edit a module
From Qedoc
This page explains to you how to edit a module.
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Background information
Reasons for editing a module
Just in case you don't realise what you are entitled to do with learning materials on this site, here's a reminder.
- You can correct mistakes in existing modules - either your own modules, or those of others. You are very welcome to do this. These might be spelling mistakes. They might also be errors of educational content (the answer is wrong or the question improperly formulated). They might also be design mistakes - e.g. an activity isn't selecting or presenting material properly.
- You can extend a module. Many Qedoc modules are quite short - perhaps only 10 questions or so. You can add material that suits the module. Be careful if you do this, though. The original author may have had a specific purpose in mind and some classes really do need only very short modules. Consider creating a copy of the module (with a slightly different name) and extending that instead, so that the original stays as it is. If in doubt, feel welcome to ask for advice.
- You can remix materials, such as incorporating materials from various different modules into a new one. The editor contains simple copy and paste buttons for copying multiple question selections between modules, so remixing is easy. In particular, you may wish to borrow images or audio recordings from modules. Qedoc's repository contains modules with 1000's of original audio recordings of individual words for vocabulary and spelling purposes. These are released under Creative Commons licences, so you can re-use them. Watchpoint: always provide the original author with a credit.
- You can adapt a module for a different audience, such as making the questions more difficult for a higher class, or tailoring the content more closely to a particular syllabus. If you do this, you should create a copy of the module and give it a different title, so that the original can also continue to exist.
- You can translate modules into different languages - likewise, create a copy with a new title.
- Sometimes a module may need a complete rewrite. If you feel this is the case, you should ask us first, just to be safe. Don't forget you can always submit an "alternative" rather than a "rewrite".
Having many modules on the same topic
If you're familiar with Wikipedia, you'll probably know they don't allow more than one article on the same topic. At Qedoc this is quite different. There can be any number of modules on the same topic. So if there's a module already on the topic you want to cover, don't worry. Just go ahead and make another one. Watchpoint: make sure your module has a slightly different title - e.g. put a "2" at the end!
When there are many modules on the same topic, there are loads of reasons for this; e.g. the modules vary in target group (e.g. groups of different ages or different abilities); the modules vary in educational style or methodology; the modules all only cover part of the topic and build up into a course only when used together.
Normally, when you want to create a module on a topic which someone has already written for, you will create a new module. Don't feel compelled to edit the existing module(s) unless there's something wrong with them, but do feel welcome to build on them or borrow materials from them.
Editing an existing module
Step One
Download the Qedoc Quiz Maker from here, and install it.
Step Two
Go to the module page where the module is which you wish to edit and download the module as well. There's a URL on the right-hand side of the page towards the bottom of one of the boxes. The URL is marked "download". The URL links to a simple ZIP file, which you download to your computer. NB: don't unzip the zip file - it's not necessary.
Step Three
Start the Qedoc Quiz Maker and import the module you just downloaded into it. To import, click the import icon (see screenshot to the right) and navigate to the place where put your module. Select the ZIP file when you find it. Once imported, the module will appear in the list of modules beneath the toolbar where the import icon is located. If you double-click any module in the list, it will load. The Quiz Maker will then allow you to examine and edit the entire contents of the module.
