Other tools
On this page we present various eLearning tools, applications and suggestions that you can use to supplement your teaching. Most of them are provided by the Regional Computer Center of the University of Hamburg. External services are marked with an appropriate note.
HedgeDoc, also: UHH-Pad (real-time editor, UHH)
To the HedgeDoc Login (in german) >
The UHH Pad or HedgeDoc is a freely usable real-time editor that allows several people to work on a document at the same time. This is helpful, for example, to take notes together during an event or to record the current status during group work. Registration takes place via the user ID.
The document is written in Markdown, which is a simplified HTML language that also enables beginners to write texts on the internet. Access to the document can be controlled by the users and works by sharing a link. Only the creator of the document can restrict the editing function of other users.
The UHH pad can be used very intuitively after a short orientation, and the various design options quickly become apparent to the user. The various functions are always present in a bar above the document. If these are used when creating the document, the shortcuts are also displayed in Markdown. This conveys this to the user and facilitates the workflow with longer use. It is also possible to integrate external resources. For example, UML diagrams, mathematical formulas, syntax highlighting and musical notes are supported. After creation, the notes can be presented to others in a presentation mode and also shared with others besides the users via a publishing function. The document can also be downloaded in various file formats.
The HUL has published new self-learning material (in german) on possible uses of HedgeDoc in October 2022.
More information on the UHH Pad and instructions on how to log in can be found on the RRZ page (in german).
Particify, former: ARSnova (audience response system, UHH)
Particify is a sophisticated auditorium voting system (audience response system) with a wide range of functions: it offers various question types and also enables integration into PowerPoint, for example. In addition, Particify is attractive thanks to its simple, intuitive operation. Particify was provided by the eLearning network of the University of Hamburg in project mode; in the meantime it has become a regular service of the RRZ.
Particify is a young IT company founded in 2020 by the main developers of ARSnova. On the website of Particify there is an FAQ (external link, in german) available for general questions about the tool. Here is the direct link to the “user manual for speakers” (external link, in german).
Particify in face-to-face teaching
Particify is mostly used by instructors in face-to-face lectures for simple self-test questions or to obtain live feedback. Access for the audience is via a QR code or a short ID entered directly in the browser on the computer or smartphone - important for quick access in the lecture hall. The special feature of ARSnova is a feedback function that allows the auditorium to anonymously tell the lecturer at any time to what extent they can follow his explanations.
The following scenarios are suitable for use in classroom teaching:
- Gather opinions and feedback in a low-threshold manner
- Encourage active participation of students
- To introduce a new topic (word cloud)
- Checking learning success (e.g. at the end of a course or thematic unit)
- Set tasks and directly include distribution of answers
Particify for asynchronous feedback
There is nothing to stop you from using the tool asynchronously as part of your digital teaching: For example, you can create quizzes and self-test questionnaires as part of your time- and location-independent online teaching, or collect feedback from your students in order to get in touch with them - albeit with a time delay. In this way, you can also prepare for the next session. The good point is that no other software is needed.
LimeSurvey (survey software, UHH)
LimeSurvey is a web-based survey software offered by the Regional Computing Center of the University of Hamburg. It is characterized by an intuitive and fast creation of online questionnaires, which can be used for evaluation or other voting procedures. A survey can either be created anonymously or based on participant names. During the duration of a survey, it is possible to continuously view how many and, if applicable, which participants have already taken part.
Advantages:
- Simple handling per click according to the “building block” principle
- Location- and browser-dependent use
- Possibility of collaborative creation of multiple survey authors
- Results in the form of graphics and pivot tables
- Export to external statistical software for further analysis
Applicable scenarios:
- Evaluations of courses
- Collection of empirical data in defined groups for research contexts
- Coordination procedures and needs assessments in administrative contexts
Registration, terms of use and tutorials in german can be found on the RRZ website.
UHH-Cloud (cloud service, UHH)
The UHH-Cloud provides an IT service that allows you to reliably store your data and documents and keep them up to date on multiple devices at the same time. The files stored in the cloud can also be shared and exchanged with other people in and outside the University of Hamburg. The service is available to all employees and students of the University of Hamburg.
The UHH-Cloud is the policy-compliant data storage for all members of the University of Hamburg and offers a fully comprehensive alternative to other cloud storage, such as Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive. The service is operated on the servers of the Regional Computing Center.
The UHH-Cloud can be accessed via the web interface https://cloud.uni-hamburg.de.
You can also use a synchronization client for all common mobile and desktop systems. The download information can be found directly on the Nextcloud website (external link). During the initial login, please enter "cloud.uni-hamburg.de" as the server address. You will then be redirected to the known UHH page, where you can log in using your UHH user account.
The provided range of functions of the UHH-Cloud includes:
- Login with UHH user account via Single Sign-On
- Easy handling of the web interface and clients/apps for different user systems
- Integration of the Only-Office environment allows collaborative work on documents. Common file formats (including *.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx) are supported.
- Task management
- Kanban boards
- Photo management and editing
- Dashboard view with various information (e.g. recent activities, frequently used files)
- Sharing files and folders with other users
- In-depth control of access rights to files and folders
- Versioning and change history of files and folders
- Commenting on files and folders
Attachment Tool (providing larger files and e-mail attachments, UHH)
Large mail attachments put a strain on recipients' inboxes, are not permitted in all mail systems and often arrive with errors. However, only files with a limited size can be uploaded to AGORA and OpenOlat, and external commercial providers are not permitted in accordance with the policies for IT use at the University of Hamburg. So what can be done?
The RRZ offers the Attachment Tool (in german) to make large files available that would otherwise have to be sent as mail attachments. Files up to 800 MB can be uploaded with the tool. Once the desired file has been successfully uploaded, a link is generated which can be made available to other people and under which the corresponding files can be accessed. The uploaded files in the attachment tool are automatically deleted after one year. Confidential files should, however, only be passed on in encrypted form even with this procedure.
You can log in using your UHH user ID. A detailed description can be found on the RRZ website (in german).
Knowledge management tools (external)
This section presents a selection of free external knowledge management tools. These tools are particularly useful for organizing your research, term papers, theses and long-term projects. Among the three tools presented, we particularly recommend the free open-source software Logseq.
Additionally, we would like to recommend the "Projects" feature of OpenOLAT. This offers a user-friendly UHH alternative for knowledge management for both your research work and for students' theses. You can find more information about Projects and how to incorporate them into your teaching in our "OpenOlat-Rundgang".
Logseq (external)
With this free open-source software, you can collect information such as texts, links, audios, and videos in a connected manner and easily retrieve them later. Logseq enables efficient organization of information and thoughts in a structured and flexible way. This facilitates your own research, term papers, theses, and long-term projects. The user interface promotes the creation of linked notes and records through its hierarchical structure, making it easier to associate different topics and ideas. The integrated graph feature visualizes the connections between the notes, providing an overview of your knowledge base.
In addition to simple notes in Markdown format, Logseq also allows you to integrate PDFs and make markings and comments directly in them. The text can be styled in various ways, lists can be created, and links can be added to capture thoughts clearly and structured. It is also possible to combine Logseq and Zotero, which makes it easier to manage literature. With the “Media Timestamp” plug-in, embedded Lecture2Go videos can be annotated with timestamps in a practice-oriented way, which supports the repetition of content. Logseq offers an integrated task management feature in the form of to-do lists. A brief tutorial guide that appears upon first opening the program makes it easier to get started with Logseq. Later, you can access help by clicking on the question mark in the lower right corner.
A particularly positive feature is the local data storage on your own device. Logseq also offers offline use so that users can access their notes anytime and anywhere without having to rely on an internet connection. Synchronization, for example with the UHH-Cloud as a data backup, is also possible. Logseq is therefore a flexible and user-friendly solution for effectively organizing and managing your academic work and projects.
Obsidian (external)
Obsidian is a note-taking software that can be used both locally and via the UHH-Cloud. Similar to Logseq, Obsidian allows you to organize thoughts and ideas in a linked knowledge network without requiring registration. Although Logseq and Obsidian are comparable in many aspects, the main difference is that Logseq is open source, while Obsidian is not. Notes in Obsidian are also written in Markdown format, which facilitates the use of formatting, images, and links. Obsidian offers you the option of linking notes together. This allows you to show relationships between different topics and ideas, making it much easier to find and analyze information. This linking of notes is visually supported by the integrated graph view. Additionally, Obsidian offers a variety of plugins and customization options to enhance the user experience. Obsidian also includes comprehensive documentation that lists all features, providing a quick help function.
If you are wondering which tool is better suited for your needs, here is a brief comparison: Obsidian offers a more intuitive user experience than Logseq in the area of “longform writing” (writing longer texts directly in the tool). In Logseq, each paragraph is automatically treated as a single “organizational element” (without additional settings or plugins), which corresponds to the outlining format and also offers certain advantages. There are numerous comparison websites available online, such as https://www.logseqmastery.com/blog/logseq-vs-obsidian/, that provide detailed information and reviews about both tools. Theoretically, it is also possible to use both software solutions with the same data, provided that the appropriate settings are made. Ultimately, however, the choice of tool depends on your personal preferences.
Zettlr (external)
Zettlr is an open-source note-taking software that, like Obsidian and Logseq, can be used both via a cloud service and locally without registration. It is suitable for managing tasks, writing theses, and long-term projects. Zettlr offers a user-friendly interface and numerous features that efficiently support workflow. Zettlr allows you to write notes in Markdown, which facilitates the use of formatting, images and links. A standout feature of Zettlr is its integrated support for citations, which makes it easier to create academic papers. Notes are organized using a simple but effective system of tags and folders, which makes it easier to find information. Among other things, users can sort tasks by priority, set due dates and monitor progress. Zettlr also has an export function that allows you to save your work in various formats, including PDF and DOCX. Another advantage of Zettlr is the support for multiple writing projects, which helps you keep track of your work. The software is easy to configure and can be tailored to the needs of users, making it an effective tool for personal time management or collaboration within a team.
uhh.de (short link service, UHH)
The University of Hamburg offers a so-called “URL Shortener” (short link service) for employees of the university. This allows very long URLs to university websites to be replaced by a short link for use on posters, circulars or in e-mails. The short link service was initiated by the University College. The short links are all located at the domain uhh.de, which was registered by the University of Hamburg especially for this task. When a short link is called, the service redirects to the stored long URL.
Thus, www.agora.uni-hamburg.de/ became the short link uhh.de/AGORA and www.gwiss.uni-hamburg.de/service/elearning became the short link uhh.de/gwiss-ebuero. If you would like to request a short link for an existing URL, please contact the short link service in Department 2 (external link). Questions about the short link service should be directed to Division 2 (online-redaktion@uni-hamburg.de( online-redaktion"AT"uni-hamburg.de)).
You can find more info on this in the KUS portal (in german).
Wekan (Kanban board, UHH)
Kanban boards are helpful tools to map workflows and structure them within teams. As an RRZ-licensed alternative to commercial offerings such as Trello or Airtable, for example, Wekan offers a similar range of functions and intuitive operation: All settings are one click away and cards can be moved via drag and drop. Work steps and goals are organized into so-called lanes that map different stages of progress (for example, “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Completed”), and categories can be customized. Colors, tags, assignments and much more are available to quickly store information and keep the organization of work pleasantly streamlined.
The login is done via the university network or the VPN access using your user ID at the website of Wekan (in german) of the RRZ.
Digital scripts (format design guide, UHH)
The MIN Faculty eLearning Office has published a guide to producing digital scripts. Digital scripts are an open source development that offer a multimedia solution for all platforms, away from conventional word processors such as Word and LaTeX. Advantages include the inclusion of interactive and dynamic media (audiovisual content and tests), easy integration on websites and learning platforms, and the open source format. The guide can be found on the MIN faculty website under “digital scripts” (in german).
Leapchat (Browser chat, external)
Leapchat is a non-commercial, open source browser chat that can be used from any device with internet access. Leapchat can be used without creating an account and therefore you do not have to disclose any private data. You only need to set a chat name so that the people chatting with each other can assign the messages to different people. In addition, the messages written are encrypted by Leapchat and they are only visible for 90 days. This period is to be shortened by an update soon. It is also possible to delete messages manually in the chat.
To allow other users to access the chat room, they must join via a link. The tool supports Markdown formatting so you can send emojis, images and links. A guide accessible via the page lists all functions and thus offers users a quick help function.
On the official website of Leapchat (external link) you can find the chat function. There you will also find a guide (external link) with a list of all functions.
Terminplaner (DFN, external)
Use the appointment planner from the German research netwrok(DFN) (external link, in german), to coordinate appointments with project or seminar participants.
You can access the tool on the DFN website (external link, in german) and in this handout (PDF in german, 2020) Felicitas John and Jean-Pascal Sopha describe how to use the tool for office hours management and appointment scheduling.
⟶ Note: This is an external tool, not provided by the University of Hamburg itself.
License note generator (Wikimedia, external)
For the use of images from Wikipedia and from the free archive Wikimedia Commons, license notes can be created with this tool, which you can then specify when integrating such media on your website. The website (external link) is operated by Wikimedia Deutschland.
⟶ Note: This is an external tool not provided by the University of Hamburg.
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
The free open-source-software Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) can be used to record your own computer screen. You can use the tool to record presentations and lectures for asynchronous events and Lecture2Go recordings.
You are able to record you PowerPoint presentation together with a webcam and microphone. It is possible to rearrange the different video sources in the programm itself before or while recording. The advantage here is that sound and video are taken by one program and do not have to be edited together in further steps.
A step-by-step guide to installing and setting up the program can be found on the DL portal website: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/elearning/alt-werkzeuge/autorenwerkzeuge/obs-studio.html
You can also find a video tutorial for the programm on Lecture2Go (in German): https://lecture2go.uni-hamburg.de/en/l2go/-/get/v/55852