The release date has been delayed until August 7, 2009 in order to give us more time to test code and put the finishing touches on our Subversion repository. Most of the LAE is completed, and we plan to start releasing stand-alone code next week. A test version of the final LAE build will be available on Wednesday, and the finished version will be available on Friday.

Those who have access to Redmine can download the current development version of the code through Subversion (and we welcome the additional testers). Instructions for doing so can be found in the Development project.

We are conducting usability tests of Moodle 1.9 to evaluate problem areas with the software in Spring 2009. There are two tests, one for faculty, one for students, that evaluate common tasks that they are likely to encounter when working in Moodle (such as updating their profile, responding to forum assignments, creating assignments, grading assignments, etc.)

Screen capture software is used to record the volunteer’s actions and faces during the tests, and data is collected in a central survey for later data crunching.

Schools participating in the test are given a license for Camtasia Studio (Windows), ScreenFlow (Mac) and a Logitech USB Microphone. Testing will run through May 1, 2009 and is being coordinated by Ken Newquist and Courtney Bentley at Lafayette College. The results will be compiled in May and will help guide our code development and documentation efforts at Hack/Doc Fest IV at Smith College in June.

To volunteer to run a test at your college, please contact Ken Newquist (newquisk@lafayette.edu, 610-330-5759).