Authoring+Tools


 * Authoring Tools**

flat = History =

The concept of authoring elearning tools goes all the way back to the dawn of the computer age. One of the first tools to create and manage elearning was developed in 1960 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne. This tool was called PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations) and once of the first tools that enabled course designers to create lessons in which students and teachers could exchange electronic messages. With the development of Arpanet, precursor to the modern internet, in the 1970s, researchers began to see the potential for using this communications media to send lesson plans. By 1976, PLATO was offering 3500 contact hours of learning at 950 terminals. In 1980, the South Colonie Central School District in Albany, NY began using Successmaker, a K-12 learning management system with an emphasis on reading, spelling and numeracy. By 1997, the internet had become ubiquitous and companies like Flextrainingwere unveiling online course creation tools for schools and corporate training clients. By the beginning of the 21st century, numerous other companies and organizations were unveiling course authoring tools, some were sold commercially while others were released as open source tools.

In 2004, Macromedia, Inc. introduced a bundle of software products called eLearning Suite 2004. Adobe Systems acquired Macromedia in 2005 and began to integrate some of its own products, including Photoshop, Acrobat, and Captivate into the bundle. This product included Flash MX 2004, Dreamweaver MX 2004, and Authorware. The intent was to create a suite specifically designed for users to create, manage, and publish elearning materials. In 2009, Adobe released eLearning Suite 1 for the Windows operating system and in the following year, released eLearning Suite 2 for both Windows and Mac OS. eLearning 2.5 was released in 2011 and contained the following applications: [|Captivate] 5.5, [|Flash] Professional CS5.5, [|Dreamweaver] CS5.5, [|Photoshop] CS5.1 Extended, Acrobat X Pro, Audition CS5.5 (replacing [|Soundbooth], which had been included in eLS 2), Bridge CS5, [|Device Central] CS5.5, and Presenter 7 (only in the Windows version). The last version of Adobe's eLearning Suite was released in July 2012. It included Captivate 6, Flash Professional CS6, Photoshop CS6 extended Acrobat XI Pro, Audition CS6 Bridge CS6 and Presenter 8. Adobe no longer offers the eLearning Suite. Authors must now purchase Adobe Captivate as a separate product and subscribe to the Adobe CC for all of the other products that were previously available in the eLearning Suite. As of February 2015, the latest version of Adobe Captivate is Captivate 8.

The other leading eLearning authoring tool is Articulate Storyline. Storyline has a lot of the same features as Captivate including software simulations, interactions, SCORM, 508, HTML5, videos, screencasts and much more. Storyline has a short learning curve because PowerPoint is the foundation of the software. Users of PowerPoint will find developing in Articulate Storyline familiar and intuitive. In addition to its intuitive design, Articulate Storyline has a massive online community that provides inspiration and training. Once thought of as lacking and far behind Captivate, Articulate Storyline 2 is quickly catching up and becoming a fierce competitor.

= Description =

__**Authoring tools**__ are software used to create pages that may combine text and multimedia elements interactively. These pages may exist as web pages, executable files, CD-ROM's, etc. Although there is a wide range of uses for these software packages, creating e-learning modules is common. Course authoring tools are devoted to the creation of e-learning in both the corporate world and in education (including higher-ed), while web authoring tools can be used for many other topics.


 * __Course Authoring Tools__** are used for the creation of pages of text, graphics, and media in a navigable framework for e-learning. The tools offer the ability to create assessments and reports regarding student performance through the use of templates and wizards to create pages. While course authoring tools include robust functionality, they depend on media editors (e.g. Flash) to incorporate animation and graphics. The main purpose of course authoring tools are to assist the user in the creation of online courses.


 * __Web Authoring Tools__** are used for creating and managing a large number of pages and their assets. E-learning authors can control the look, behavior and communication using the tools. Web authoring tools are not limited to the purpose of e-learning. They are often used in conjunction with course authoring tools to provide the navigation elements of a lesson.

Web Authoring tools do not work on their own. Their purpose is to create websites that are then offered on web servers.

= Purpose =

The purpose of an authoring tool is to develop an online/computer based learning module / course. These modules, or courses, can be web based or, in the case of course authoring tools, stand-alone modules that can be run from a CD or DVD on a computer. Certain authoring tools allow publishing of e-learning courses to mobile devices, i.e. iPhones and Blackberries.

= Features =


 * Course Authoring Tools**


 * Pros**
 * Include feedback and testing tools
 * Include tools for progress monitoring
 * Include course management features to handle files
 * May contain learner-directed content
 * Feature built-in programming features that vary significantly between tools, from easy to use (least customizable) to complex (requiring specialized training)
 * Are frequently integrated into an LMS with interoperability being a driving factor when selecting; m any purchasers look for compliance to AICC and SCORM standards
 * May offer ability to read/write to local disk


 * Cons**
 * Are not often used for collaborative creation of courses
 * Are often built with instructional design methodology, though it may not be a method favored by the user of the tool
 * May not contain learner-directed content


 * Web Authoring Tools**


 * Pros**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Are used as a tool for gathering and presenting information
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Are more easily adapted to learner-directed content than course authoring tools
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Provide author with significant amount of flexibility in the programming and design
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">LMS integration, AICC and SCORM not a factor
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can be created on small budget
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well suited for collaborative creation


 * Cons**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lack the tracking capabilities of course authoring tools
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lacks the portability issue as internet access is required
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An advanced level of programming skills may be required

= Strengths =

= = = Advantages of Open Source Authoring Tools: =
 * Provide an interactive learning environment
 * Cross Platform Compatibility (see examples under Leading Tools)
 * Provide "what you see is what you get" editing so users do not need to write code
 * Include time saving devices such as templates and other features
 * Offer the learner control over when and where the learning occurs
 * Can be used to create an LMS, LCMS, CMS
 * Provide multimedia support without plug-ins
 * Do not require programming skills
 * Include customizable elements/objects
 * Provide multimedia support - images, audio, video
 * Have the ability to employ code to adjust authoring tools as needed.

There are many reasons why open source tools could be chosen by a user to produce a project over commercial vendor-prepared software; however, three main considerations which can affect the decision to go with open source vs commercial software are addressed here favoring open source options. Open source software has proven to cost must less, provide a much better value (return on investment) and provide a more secure environment than some commercial software packages.
 * First, costs are miminal for open source software. Users can use free versions of the software to create projects without the the initial costs associated with the purchase and upgrading of similar vendor created software packages.
 * Second, low or NO cost applications often meet or exceed the expectations of the user creating a great value for the customer and a positive return on investment (ROI).
 * Third, open source applications can be more secure than commercial equivalents. Open source companies have identified security concerns and have incorporated fixes to those concerns quicker, and with better success, than commercial software vendors.

= Weaknesses =


 * Some are platform specific (i.e. Only for PC or only for MAC)
 * Web-authoring tool only for PC [|Net Objects Fusion Essentials]
 * Course-authoring tool only for PC [|Articulate]
 * Some can be difficult to learn and use (especially course authoring tools)
 * Can be expensive (course authoring)
 * Adobe Captivate 5 $799
 * Adobe Captivate upgrade from $299
 * Lectora Publisher with support $1790
 * Lectora Publisher without support $1595
 * The learner must understand how to navigate through the tool before using it to learn
 * May limit creator and creativity, making it harder to individualize sites
 * Are Learner dependent
 * Can have weak help file support

= Considerations =


 * A Learning Tools Compendium**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|The Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies] has an extensive learning tools compendium. The table of tools includes course authoring tools as well as information about interoperability with LMSs and LCMSs. The useful key within the table designates specific features of each tool so that you can see at a glance which tools:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Offer interactivity, games and simulations
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Provide assessments
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have tracking functionality
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Include social media
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Are mobile enhanced

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Other features of the compendium:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Readers can hyperlink to each tool’s website.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tools with free trials are designated as such.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A STAR icon designates the Top 100 Tools as rated by learning professionals around the world. Information about the Top 100 Tools includes additional product details and comments from those who selected the tool as a favorite.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Free tools are shaded in gray.

Other considerations for choosing authoring tools include:
 * What type of eLearning you will create?
 * What is the goal?
 * What level of experience and knowledge does your development team have in relation to authoring tools?
 * What is your timeline for implementation?
 * Technological considerations and restrictions of your planned tool and users:
 * Which browsers are supported (Firefox, IE, Safari)
 * Which platforms are supported (Mac, PC, Linix)
 * Server space and access (usually defined by IT)
 * Will authoring tool work with organization's LMS
 * Does the tool include the functionality you need at the course level, the lesson level, and the page level?
 * To allow be used with a Learning Management System so that training can be tracked and logged an authoring tools needs to be able to produce SCORM or AICC compliant training.

Copyright considerations:
 * With regard to government copyright legislation one must be fully cognizant of legal ramifications by which he/she navigates, borrows and creates
 * When borrowing material there are some iconic symbols pertaining to copyright infringement status which can quickly be translated to determine media usability
 * This can be found on the following link: []

Links for Copyright law:
 * Digital Audio Recording Devices - http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap10.pdf
 * Sound Recordings and Music Videos - http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap11.pdf
 * The Digital Millennium Copyright Act - http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92appb.pdf
 * Copyright simplified - []

The term “**rapid e-learning**” comes up a lot when discussing authoring tools. Articulate and Captivate are currently two of the most popular rapid e-learning tools. There is some debate as to what rapid e-learning means. Does it mean the student learns quickly? That the lesson or course is quick to create? It’s quick to implement? A 2005 white paper from the eLearning Guild had this quote from George Siemens: “// Rapid eLearning simply means – we have limited resources and time – how can we get this stuff done faster?” // The //[|Rapid E-Learning Blog]// has a lot of resources for further information.

= Leading Tools =

__**Course Authoring**__
 * - Cross Platform**
 * Adobe Authorware - Currently owned by Adobe - Version 7
 * [|Adobe Captivate] - Currently owned by Adobe - Version 5 (Included in the Adobe eLearning Suite 2)
 * Adobe Director - Currently owned by Adobe - Version 11.5
 * [|Compendle] - Currently owned by Compendle - Web-based - Maintained by Compendle
 * [|FlexAuthoring] - Currently owned by FlexTraining - Web-based - Maintained by FlexTraining
 * - Windows Only**
 * Lectora Publisher - Currently owned by Lectora - Version X.4
 * QuESt_LDS - Currently owned by Pinnacle Courseware - Web-based - Maintained by Pinnacle Courseware
 * ToolBook -Currently owned by Sumtotal - Version 10.5
 * OutStart Trainer - Currently owned by OutStart - Version 8
 * Articulate - Currently owned by Articulate - Version '09
 * [|DazzlerMax] - Currently owned by Dazzlersoft - Version 5.5
 * [|Elicitus Content Publisher] - Currently owned by Elicitus - Version 8
 * [|WonderShare Rapid E-Learning Suite] - Currently owned by Wondershare - Multiple Versions Available


 * - Macs**
 * [|iBooks] - A free mac app for authoring ebooks
 * Many people recommend running Windows 7 on the mac and using the above listed course authoring tools.

__**Web Site Authoring**__
 * - Cross Platform**
 * Adobe Dreamweaver- Currently owned by Adobe - Current Version CS5 - (Included in the Adobe eLearning Suite 2)
 * Adobe GoLive 9 - Discontinued - Repalced by Adobe Dreamweaver
 * [|Blackboard] - Currently owned by Blackboard - Web-based - Maintained by Blackboard
 * - Windows Only**
 * NetObjects Fusion - Currently owned by NetObjects - Version XII
 * Microsoft Expression Web- Currently owned by Microsoft - Version 4
 * Microsoft FrontPage - Discontinued - Replaced by Microsoft Expressions Web

= Open Source Options =


 * - Cross Platform**
 * [|Docebo] - Currently owned by Docebo - Version 4.0.4
 * [|Claroline] - Currently owned by Claroline Consortium - Version 1.9.8
 * Moodle - Currently owned by Moodle - Version 2.02
 * - Windows Only**
 * eLML - Currently owned by eLML - Version 6
 * Course Lab - Currently owned by CourseLab - Version 2.4
 * Udutu - Currently owned by Udutu - Web-based - Maintained by Udutu
 * eFront - Currently owned by eFront - Version 3.6.8
 * [|Contrexx Open Source 1.2] -Currently owned by Comvation AG - Version 1.2


 * Disadvantages of Open Source Options**
 * One disadvantage of Open Source authoring tools is the fact that they do not hold all the "bells and whistles" of some of the paid authoring tools. You can obtain many of the same features in an Open Source option, however you may need to obtain these through third party plug-ins, which may or may not be supported.
 * As these tools are many times developed and maintained on a low or nonexistent budget, they can become unsupported by the development team for troubleshooting after a short period of time, due to lack of funding.
 * There are tools that are only available to PC users. Some may consider this fact as a disadvantage to using a Mac, when it comes to Open Source Course Authoring Tools. Let's look at it from a different angle. When you consider the fact that it is fairly easy to install and run a parallel PC machine on your Mac, all tools are again wide open to the Mac machines.
 * Parallels currently run about a $79.99 cost for your Mac.
 * When considering the costs, it is still much cheaper than buying a new machine.
 * It is up to you whether a PC only Open Source authoring tool has enough strengths for you to consider installing and running parallels on your machine as an option.


 * About-Elearning.com **

This link provides good information about elearning professional organizations, elearning books, elearning degree programs and lots of other information. If you are planning a career in elearning this is a great place to start. There is a section about the skills needs to be an instructional designer, what the possible job responsibilities will include and why people hire instructional designers.

There are some great advantages to elearning. The most obvious is the savings in cost. Some of the courses only have an initial set-up cost to build the course and some additional cost to maintain the site. Whether it is a synchronous or asynchronous, one of the great advantages of elearning is the ability to teach at many different locations throughout the globe. Mostly, all that is needed is an internet connection and some computing equipment. They are many advantages to elearning but there is also one large disadvantage to elearning. That disadvantage is the inability to get direct and thorough feedback like people get in a face-to-face conversation. The effectiveness of elearning mostly depends on the learning styles of the students. In other words, will the student get maximum learning from the medium that is being used to convey the information. Since most student in K-12 now are digitally born students, born in a digital era, it is suggested that most of them should be acclimated to learning using the tools of the time but some say that the need for "compulsion of proximity" will always be need to get the maximum learning experience.

**Using Authoring Tools to Develop eLearning Gaming Experiences**
Creating a digital gaming experience for eLearning always needs at least one authoring tool. The reason is that without the authoring tool, you can't create anything. If you are creating a web based math game with aliens and spaceships, using Adobe Flash & Adobe Dreamweaver would be fantastic. If you are creating a 3D Virtual World to simulate how the human heart operates, you will need an abundance of Authoring Tools. You would need a 3D Modeling and Animation Tool such as 3D Studio Max, Maya or Blender to build the heart. You will need an environment to import the heart into such as Unity or Unreal Engine. You will probably also use Adobe Photoshop for realistic textures, and I could imagine all of the plugins that those programs might need. So you see, creating a eLearning Gaming Experience can range from using one program like Captivate to create a simple screen display tutorial to using multiple authoring tools that work in sync to create a great gaming experience that will provide a solid foundation in learning a specific subject.


 * Software Packages**
 * Adobe E-Learning Suite
 * Wondershare Rapid E-learning Suite


 * Possible Future Advances for Authoring Tools **

Tagorus, an organization that does independent research on emerging learning and technology trends, published a report in April of 2011 on Association Learning Management Systems. This report included current research on authoring tools. Here are some current statistics from that report:
 * 75.4% of authoring for an LMS or CMS is done through Microsoft's PowerPoint.
 * 30% is done through Flash.
 * 18.7% is done through the LMS or CMS itself.
 * 15.8 % is done with Dreamweaver

Using third party softward applications to author learning objects may become less popular due to their cost. 52.6% of their respondents said that e-learning should be self-sustaining and profitable to them; at a minimum it must be cost neutral. Therefore, there may be a move away from third party software and toward more self-contained tools within the LMS or CMS. They may want more of a one-stop-shop. Perhaps most important, however, is that only 22.1% of organizations currently delivering e-learning identified adherence to SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) as highly important or absolutely necessary. It is predicted that as e-learning grows and becomes more sophisticated pedagogically and not just based upon PowerPoint presentations, that the number of organizations rating SCORM adherence as absolutely necessary will grow.

Links about how Authoring Tools can be used

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