Authoring systems

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Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (February 2007)

The "Intelligent tutoring system" research community uses the term authoring systems to refer to a computer based system that allows a general group (including non-programmers) to create (i.e., author) content for intelligent tutoring systems. While a few intelligent tutoring systems have been successfully created, they are very costly to construct.

A recent book reviews some attempts to build authoring tools.

In Tom Murray, Stephen Blessing, and Sharon Ainsworth, editors, Authoring Tools for Advanced Technology Learning Environ-ment. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 2003

In the development of educational software, an Authoring System is a program that allows a non-programmer to easily create software with programming features. The programming features are built in but hidden behind buttons and other tools, so the author does not need to know how to program. Generally Authoring Systems provide lots of graphics, interaction, and other tools educational software needs.

Authoring Systems are related to Authoring Languages. An Authoring Language is the programming language that is behind the Authoring System, available for the programmer who is also developing educational software. This programmer can take advantage of the tools built into the Authoring System (easy graphics placement, color, animations, etc.) and then fine tune the product by accessing the language behind it.

While true Authoring Systems, with easy, effective use by a domain area specialist like an English teacher, may be few and far between, many educators can and do use commercial products such as Adobe's Dreamweaver and Flash, and Microsoft's Power Point to create tutorials for their students.

Authoring tool

An authoring tool is a software package which developers use to create and package content deliverable to end users.

Though authoring tools have a range of uses, they are commonly used to create e-learning modules. These modules are generally written to conform to some international standard, such as SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) or AICC (CBT) (Aviation Industry CBT Committee).CBT

Distribution of content created with authoring tools also varies. Distribution methods include: web, kiosk, interactive CD-ROM, and executable file.

Since the term is somewhat general, many programs can be considered authoring tools, including web editors, Flash, and PowerPoint. However, only a small group of programs specifically include support for e-learning content standards including e2train Compose, Atlantic Link Content Point, Macromedia (Adobe) Authorware, Director, Dynamic PowerTrainer, Lectora, ToolBook and RWD uPerform.