How to use Notesmaster

1. Training Manual:
Content Development
Notesmaster
Namibia is a
free eLearning
platform in
partnership
with the
Namibian
College of
Open Learning
(NAMCOL) and
is open to all
secondary
education
learners and
teachers in
Namibia.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
HOW TO ACCESS NOTESMASTER PLATFORM .......................................................................................... 2
HOMEPAGE ....................................................................................................................................4
REGISTRATION ................................................................................................................................ 6
GET STARTED .................................................................................................................................8
LET’S CREATE NOTES ...................................................................................................................... 13
HOW TO SHARE THE NOTE FOR PEER APPROVAL ..................................................................................249
TOOLS RECOMMENDED TO USE IN THE CREATION OF CONTENT................................................................ 31
APPENDIX .................................................................................................................................... 31
A. List of resources .............................................................................................................. 32
B. Tools to use for creating multimedia................................................................................. 33

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HOW TO ACCESS NOTESMASTER PLATFORM
a) Openyourwebbrowser(itisrecommendedthatyoudoa google search)
b) Enter the followingURL: www.google.com.na
c) Nowtype Notesmasterinthe searchbox

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OR
OR
a) Openyourwebbrowser(itisrecommendedthatyoudoa google search)
b) Enter the followingURL: namibia.notesmaster.com

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HOMEPAGE
A. On the homepage you’ll findfivebuttonsonthe topof the page
For now let’s focus onthe first twobuttons.
Whenclickingonthe
menubutton the
followingdropdown
menuappears.

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On the homepage you’ll findfouricons/buttons.
Video – introduction about Notesmaster (to exit click on the x on the
top left of the screen. Please take time and watch this short clip.
Register - if you are new to Notesmaster you must register before you
can access the resources or create any resources.
Use example below and complete your registration

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REGISTRATION

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(Whenyouclickon the finish buttonittakesyouto the My Deskarea.

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GET STARTED
1.
click here to
login
1. Enter yourlogindetails (createdduringregistration)
2. Thenclickon submitto openthe platform.
Notesmastersites –Showsthe differentcountriesthatmake use of the Notesmasterplatform.You
can clickon the country that youare registeredwith.
Once you are loggedinyou’ll see the following
A. Dashboard
Let’s look at each of the icons in more detail.

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1st
Icon: Create Resources
If you click on Create Resources it will show the subjects that you
register for and the content that is already available on the
platform.
On top of the left hand corner, you must click on take a tour. The
topics underneath will be discuss.
1. My Desk
You are here! Watch an overview video on how each section work on the
dashboard or continue to the next point in the tour. Click on next to proceed.
2. Workspace
This area is personalised and contains your resources, a viewer, an editor, a file
library and grades for your assignments. . Click on next to proceed.
3. My Resources
This area contains all the syllabuses you have selected. My Profile lets you add or
remove syllabuses. Your syllabuses have no material until you save material from
the Resources area or create your own resources.
2nd
Icon: Join Groups
1. Groups
You are here! Groups are where you connect with the Namibian community and with
the communities from other Notesmaster sites.

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2. All Groups
Select one of the featured groups or find groups by interest or by subject. You can also
find groups by their association with a school/institution or an organisation.
3. NotesmasterSites
You can explore all groups from other regional Notesmaster sites. Choose a region to
explore the available groups.
4. Search Groups
Search for any teacher, tutor or other education professional from this site.
5. Menu
You can join any group that allows public access. Browse the featured groups or use the
menu to find groups by interest or by subject. You can also find groups based on their
association with an official school/institution or an organisation.
3rd
Icon: FindResources
All the developed content is available.
1. Resources
You are here!All resourcesfoundinthe digitalJSCandNSSCsyllabuseshave beenPeerReviewedby
educators.Peerreviewingensuresonlyhighqualityresourcesare publishedforthe community.
2. NotesmasterSites
You can explore syllabusesfromotherregionalNotesmaster sites.Choosearegiontoexplore the
available resources.
3. SyllabusLevels
Syllabusesare organisedunderlevels(JSC,etc.) andsubjectareas(Business,etc.).Explore the levels
relevanttoyou.

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4. SubjectAreas
Syllabusesare groupedundersix (6) subjectareas(Business,etc.).Clickonanarea to see the
available syllabuses.
5. SubjectSyllabuses
Subjectsyllabusesappearaslongblue barswithsubjectnamesshowninwhite,withboldtext.Click
the blue bars once to see the themes,thentopics andfinallythe basiccompetences.Resourcesare
foundunderthe basiccompetencies.
6. Educators
Teachers,tutorsand othereducationprofessionalsare showninthisarea.
7. Viewer
Viewershowsthe full-textof anycontentyouselectedfromanyof the syllabuses.Youfirstneedto
selectthe contentyouwantto view.
4th
Icon: Study Planner
1. Calendar
You are here!Use the Calendarto create a studytimetable andtoremindyouof your assignment
due dates.
2. AddNewEvent
Clickthisbuttonto add a neweventtoyourcalendar.The numberof calendaritemsavailable for
today,includingyourevents,ourcommunityeventsandyourassignmentdue datesare shownin
the notificationsareaatthe top of your page.
3. CalendarMenu
Navigate the calendarbychoosingmonthview,weekview ordayview onthe right.Arrow
buttonson the lefttake youback or forwardto see pastor future events.

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Editor’s Top websites
B. My Desk
Take note that these syllabuseswillbe empty –until you’ve eithersavednotesfromother
syllabusesorstartedcreatingyourownnotes.
It isadvised youalsowatchthe NotesmasterTour:MyDeskvideoclip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhzkkP_2d7Q

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LET’S CREATE NOTES
Take note: You should have joined the NAMCOL Pilot Group by now. This is a private group
only used by PDs and subject experts that are part of the development of the subject notes.
It is advised that you also watch the following Notesmaster clip on you tube:
Notesmaster Tour: Workspace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV_Z58Z8dbs
We’ll create notes in your My Desk area.

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We’ll focus on the technical aspects you need to know when creating a note
1. Click on the objective
2. Click on create a note
3. Type in the topic of the note based on the objective and click next. This will take you into
the editor where you can now put together your notes.

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4. How to work in the editor
A. Adding content
Always start your note with a heading
a) How to insert a heading
i. Insert a table with one row and one column
ii. Type in your heading text
iii. Change the font to Heading 1
a)
b) Always make sure that your font is set on paragraph. We do not change the font
size or font type.
c) Make use of the formatting tools on the editor to change font to bold and italicise
.
d) Do not make use of underline since it can confuse learners with hyperlink
text that you might use in the note.
e) Take note that if you add text in a table the text will be smaller than outside the
table. You have to reset the font by selecting the text and click on the paragraph.

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f) When you copy text from another document please make sure that you clear the
formatting of the copied text by clicking on the ‘clear formatting’ button .
g) You can change the text colour by
clicking on
B. Use of images
a) You are encouraged to make use of images.
 Please make sure that images are clear and readable.
 Images however must add value to the text content and should not be used
just to add colour to the page.
 When more than one image is used on the note please make sure that the
image sizes are the same as much as possible
b) How to add images
Click on the button
The following pop-up will appear

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Open the folder where the image is saved on the computer and drag it from the
folder into the dropbox of the Responsive File manager.
When the image is uploaded it will show a green tick.
Now click on the return
to files list
Locate the image. Click
on the image.

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Insert/edit image pop-up
appears.
Add the image
description and click OK.
To ensure that your text and image is in line, it is recommended that you make
use of a table with two columns and one row. This will help your avoid big empty
spaces on the note page
C. Use of videos
You can upload videos directly from You Tube by clicking on the button.
The following window will appear.
D. Use of internet resources
We find numerous subject related sources on the internet which can be used to create
our notes. The Editors Top websites on the homepage provide you with direct links to
some educational websites/portals. Also see appendix 1 which provides you with a list of
websites that will help you find animations and OER material.

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 Direct copying from internet sources should be avoided. When using text from
external sources please make sure that you clearly indicate the source.
For example:
 When you insert and image from the internet you need to clearly reference it.
Kindly take note that we make use of the APA reference style/format

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 When you find a website that covers your topic you can link to these external pages.
How to insert a link to external web pages
i. First select the text which you want to link.
ii. Now click on the insert link button
iii. The following pop-up will appear.
Remember to click on save as you work on your note.
To see what your note look like without leaving the editor you can click on the preview
button.
When you are done adding content and inserting images, audio and video clips you must
click on save.

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Now click on your ‘My resources’ button to take you back to the syllabus. The syllabus will
open at the place where your note is located.
Take note of the icon at the left hand side of your note.
Remember the aim of the exercise is to make the notes that you create available to the
learners. You are now the only person that can see and access your note. To publish the
note you need five peer approvals. Work through the next section to learn about sharing
your note with other subject experts.
Linking a Resource
You can also link a resource page from an external website directly to an objective.
1. Click to open the syllabus to the desired Objective and then click on the Link a
Resource button.

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2. You will now see a pop-up.
3. Copy the web address from the external website you are using

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4. Now fill out the pop-up and click save to finish.
5. Once saved, the linked resource now appears in the syllabus. So, now click to open
the resource.
6. The resource opens in the Viewer. Click on the More button to see the Link options.

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7. Once the page slides down, click View Link to see the Resource.
8. The Resource now opens in its own window, which allows users to respect the
author’s copyright.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A QUICK AND EFFICIENT WAY OF POPULATING THE SYLLABUS.
BUT PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU CHECK YOUR MATERIAL REGULARLY TO SEE THAT THE
LINKED RESOURCE IS STILL AVAILABLE.

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How to Create an Assignment
1. You can use Notesmaster to create and share assignments. This is done in the
assignment section of the syllabus in your MyDesk

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2. Enter the title and the due date. Your calendar will issue an automatic reminder on
the due date.
3. In the Editor now create your assignment and click save when finished.

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4. You now need to share your assignment with the group. Click the Manage Group Share
button to launch the pop-up and share your assignment.
5. Once shared it will appear in the ungraded section of the syllabus in the group.

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HOW TO SHARE THE NOTE FOR PEER APPROVAL
If you are satisfied with your note – all images show, video clips play and all text is the
same font, you are ready to share your note.
Take note that the icon will now change toa green icon

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Once your note has five approvals you will publish it. It will now have an NM logo.
How to access other subject team members’ notes in the NAMCOL Pilot Group

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When doing peer approval you need to do the following:
1. Check the content accuracy/correctness.
2. Check if all the images are showing.
3. Check that video clips are playing.
4. Check if the hyperlinks open in a new window.
5. Comment/advise the creator on improvements that can be made.
6. Make sure that the content is assessed in either an interactive activity (quizzes) or an
assignment. You can type your comments under the peer review discussion for
educators only
7. Once you’re satisfied with the note you can add your peer approval

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TOOLS RECOMMENDED TO USE IN THE CREATION OF CONTENT
Also look at the list of tools in Appendix B
Hope this will cover all your questions about working on Notesmaster platform.

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APPENDIX
A. List of resources
Take note that thislistis notexhausted.
CK-12 (plussistersites) http://www.ck12.org/student/#sisterSites
OER Commons http://www.oercommons.org/
HippoCampus http://www.hippocampus.org/?user=hippocampus
Curriki http://www.curriki.org/welcome/
National Science foundation http://www.nsf.gov/
Creative commons(search) http://search.creativecommons.org/
Connexions http://cnx.org/
YouTube Education http://www.youtube.com/education
Boundless https://www.boundless.com/
TED ED http://ed.ted.com/

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B. Tools to use for creating multimedia
The followingprogrammescanbe downloaded
Multimedia Programme website
Podcasts/audioclips Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Image editor Photofiltre http://www.photofiltre-studio.com/download-
en.htm
Create activities –
quizzes,puzzles
Hot Potatoes https://hotpot.uvic.ca/
Flashplayer Adobe FlashPlayer:
SWF files
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
Mediaplayers VLC http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-
windows.html
Image and screencast Jing http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html
ScreenHunter http://wisdom-
soft.com/products/screenhunter_free.htm
Online toolsandapplications
Multimedia Programme website
Podcasts/audioclips Soundcloud http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Word clouds Wordle http://www.wordle.net/
Tagxedo http://www.tagxedo.com/
Animations GoAnimate http://goanimate.com/
Animatedaudio Voki http://voki.com/
Comics Pixton http://www.pixton.com/
Make BeliefsComix http://www.makebeliefscomics.com/