Evaluating Digital Authoring Tools

Abstract

As the quality of authoring software increases, online course developers become less reliant on proprietary learning management systems, and develop skills in the design of original, in-house materials and the delivery platforms for them. This report examines the capabilities of digital authoring software tools for the development of learning materials. Seven software tools are evaluated, representing the following categories: single purposes; activity creation; course development and presentation; general presentation; testing and assessment. Evaluating Authoring Tools Despite debate over the efficacy of multimedia, computer and Web-based learning materials (Clark, 1983; Greenagel, 2002), there is compelling evidence that they can be an effective and efficient means of delivering education at a distance in the right situations and conditions (Kirkwood, 1998; Bates, 2000; Mayer, 2001). The development of high-quality digital learning materials, however, involves a complex combination of subject matter expertise, instructional design knowledge, and technical skills (graphic design, photography, audio, video, computer programming, etc.). These result in long and expensive curriculum development cycles (Bates, 2000). Numerous “learning management system” (LMS) products have become available for the purpose of streamlining the process of online courseware creation and delivery. These tend to be expensive, however, and do not always give the students and teachers the flexibility they require. By contrast, a wide range of inexpensive courseware authoring tools has emerged, enabling courseware designers to develop effective in-house materials and delivery platforms. For the purpose of this evaluation, seven authoring products were selected, representing the following uses: 1) Single Purpose Tools: designed for basic purposes rather than for creating a suite of varied tools. Most tools in this category are not specifically designed for production of instructional materials. 2) Activity Creation Tools: designed to produce small, stand-alone, interactive activities that may be incorporated into courses. Technical Evaluation Report 33: Evaluating Digital Authoring Tools Wilde 2 3) Course Development and Presentation Tools: specifically designed for developing and presenting online courses and training programs. These tools are typically organized around specific concepts, lessons, and modules. 4) General Presentation Tools: designed for the presentation of multimedia content, and with specific uses in online education, though not intended for this purpose exclusively. 5) Testing and Assessment Tools: designed to produce tests, quizzes, and other types of assessment for print, computer, and/ or Web-based delivery. 1. Single Purpose Authoring Tools [Note: All evaluations were on a 600 MHz PC with 192 MB RAM and Windows 98 SE] Screen Hunter 4.0 is a freeware edition of a popular screen capture utility. It allows users to capture any image displayed on a computer screen and then paste the image into another application (Word, PowerPoint, FrontPage, etc.) or save the capture as a graphic file. The program worked well on the test system. It was possible to capture the entire screen, active windows, and rectangles of defined sizes quickly and easily. The “zoom tool” makes capturing rectangles very precise by showing a magnified view of the capture area. The help provided is sparse, but the program is so easy to use that this is not a problem. This tool would be especially useful for an instructor creating software-training materials that require students to see exactly what particular screens and operations look like.