Learning objectives

When you have completed this session, you should be able to

• define term "authoring system",
• list the most widespread systems,
• differentiate between the softwares.

Reading
In this chapter you will see how to integrate the prepared or already made media elements into an e-learning system.

Authoring Systems

Authoring systems are software for designing, creating, and testing multimedia[tmoodle???] materials. Media elements crated according to the synopsis and script; have to be integrated in the authoring system to become interactive electronic syllabus. The basic services of authoring systems are:

· provides proper graphic editor surface for placing multimedia elements in it (text, graphic, audio or video windows, animation sequences and interactive tools – buttons)

· provides modules suitable for displaying and playing media elements (e.g. video, audio staff)

· contains synchronizing tools for combining and simultaneous playing different type of data (text, picture, audio, video, etc.).

· contains user interactive tools. The interaction can be a simple start/stop/pause interaction or a touch-screen interface which activates cycles or conditional procedures.

There are about 150 software that manufacturers call "authoring tools". All of them perform some part or all of the above describe criteria. However there is a great difference between the user hostility and user environment they provide. Some software are suitable to create "business presentation" only while others are good for developing booth type applications. (Both type refers to information booth here, when individual hardware and software communicate with information applicants). However comprehensive classification does not exist a few criteria for bringing decisions which characterize the software are listed here.

• User interaction: its existence presumes some quality of the software. A basic part of all CBT [tmoodle???] /CAI applications.

• Full video: the software contains the entire control interface and playback environment. These software are very near to the most advanced level.

• Animation: handling animation is not being part of all authoring software. The reason for this is the lack of proper drivers or the lack of knowing the data format. In several cases special software is needed for animation.

Authoring System Types

Authoring Systems belong to the most advanced application developing tools. The following classification is accepted:

Integrated Systems. Integrated authoring systems have all the tools and services which are needed for developing multimedia applications. Some parts of these integrated systems are programming languages but most parts use the tools of visual programming (diagrams icons). Integrated systems contain a wide variety of data processing tools, support many multimedia formats and can be used for a large scale of applications.

Professional Graphic Systems. Professional graphic systems are created for multimedia developers, who are professionals in their fields, have the knowledge of innovative techniques but they are not professional programmers. Most of these systems provide the following opportunities:

+ standard graphic interface for (GUI) Apple System 7, Windows and Motif systems

+ user graphic play with dynamic modifying options

+ GUI based editing with icon display of events, "drag -and- drop " editing technique, graphic display of control, etc.

+ inserting GUI objects for user interactions (press buttons, tools, etc.) which can be activated with mouse or touch screen

+ simple animation on the screen, graphic and text display and management

+ produces object oriented structure which describes the profile of objects (time, position, etc.) with a data stricture. Many systems are capable to transfer profiles too.

+ Play back option for parts of the whole graphics, video and audio.

Though applying graphic tools is much simpler than applying authoring or programming languages the condition of effective application is that the developer clearly understands what he/she does.

An important characteristic of the system is what the created program is capable for on the target platform. There is such solution which can integrate still picture or digital sound in an executable program file but this is not possible for instance with NTSC video or CD sound. Another question can be whether the authoring system is able to produce run-time modules for controlling them.

Another important viewpoint what data formats the system supports.

Simple Graphic Systems

Some software producers sell the simplified, cheap versions of the professional systems. These are equal in function to the original systems but do not know all the data structure needed for professional developments.

Professional Authoring Languages

These languages do not provide graphic support but in terms of data input and output, screen design, logical functions and interactivity equal to them. Moreover, in many cases they are suitable for creating special graphic effects too. Applying them does not necessarily require programming knowledge. They have the advantage to have a very low or no run-time license fee. In case of many authoring languages really fine, creative staff can only be made with serious programming knowledge. Learning this language is like learning a structured programming language. In many cases the drivers for the tools have to be written by the author too. However, somehow these languages mean alternatives beside the graphic tools in case of very demanding applications.

To sum up with it is practical to purchase a high quality authoring software as good as possible which can simplify the author’s work. The purchasing price is refunded several times concerning the reduced time spent for development this way. When purchasing take into consideration the following viewpoints

• Is it suitable for creating such material that can be played in good quality with the requested speed on the target platforms without any difficulties
• Does it handle outside equipments (e.g. DVD)
• What sort of data formats is it capable to read and create
• What sort of audio and video editing functions does it have
• How much object oriented
• Do you have to pay license fee for the developed material
• There are several authoring systems available on the market which fits for most criteria in a very high standard.

Classifications of Authoring Systems

Authoring systems are most often classified according to the structure they have.

Page Oriented Systems

PowerPoint (Microsoft)

With Microsoft Office PowerPoint program effective and dynamic presentations can be created quickly.

With the program company and product descriptions, presentations, smaller e-learning lessons, class supplementary or presentation materials can be created. Presentations can be assembled of slides. Pictures made this way can be projected with a projector, presented on the computer’s monitor or printed out. Texts, diagrams, pictures, sound effects, animations, and transitions can be added making presentations more spectacular and easily explicit.

• Development is similar to how a book is written when
  • Associative linking of pages, according to hypertext-philosophy, create a complex web structure.
• Objects are located in the slides.
• Program codes can be ordered to the base units.
  • This way it can be determined what to occur after some events (e.g. a clicking).
• Pre-defined events can be selected
  • E.g. clicking, observing the index of the mouse, even there is an option for saving macros.
  • If something new is intended to be created besides what is included in the program parts programming qualification is needed.
• Open system can be created which can be extended by the user.
• New slides can easily be made with the help of ready made patterns.
• Media files are located inside the programs except audio and video files which do not increase this way the size of the file.

ToolBook Assistant/Instructor (SumTotal)

ToolBook is an e-learning developing system developed by SumTotal Systems. The authoring system is made of the variations of Assistant and Instructor. The gratest difference between them is that Assistant does not require much programming knowledge, doing any work with it is easy for an average user with all the commands selected from the menus. The basic concept of Toolbook authoring system is built on learning objects. There are several pre- made catalogs of learning objects for the users and the system offers a user friendly environment. Learning objects can be customized and the system offers a two level option to develop new objects which can be added to the existing catalog enlarging it this way according to what is needed.

So, on the one hand Toolbook authoring system offers easy to use tool for all who intend to create quality e-learning material with the existing tools without developing learning objects . On the other hand it has an open architecture for IT professionals giving the option for further development.

Multimedia Builder (Mediachance)

Multimedia Builder belongs to the page oriented authoring systems. The editing environment is made of well separated parts. Screen pages remaining to pages are located on the bottom and the user can chose which one he/she wants to edit. Objects can be added from the left side column such as multimedia elements e.g. pictures or voices etc. All multimedia elements are located on the right side which can be re-used. The center of the program window is filled with the chosen page and above it there are more editor icons and menus to make editing easier. For instance pre-defined effects can be added from these menus to some units.

Icon Oriented Systems

Macromedia Authorware

Authorware is a process controlled or with another name icon oriented system. The two name comes from the fact that icons have to be fitted in a process diagram which determine what should happen in a given phase.

Running of the program means the execution of operations belonging to the icons (placed in the process diagram) from up to down.

This software, specifically developed for publishing learning, multimedia and Internet material, is the most liked developing system of its type until these days. Due to its icon based control the operation is simple while the quality of published materials is just as good as the most demanding multimedia editions.

The structure of the multimedia presentation can be developed, the organization of interactive links, the structure of database, so the multimedia subject can be designed with this software. During work all files made by graphic and audio software or images, video and audio files selected from basic materials can be used.

Advantages: Excellent tools for developing content. Very good options for creating animations and special-effects.

Disadvantages: High level programming knowledge is required. A separate software pack is needed for administrating the course and following the advance of students.

Other authoring systems

Adobe (formerly: Macromedia) Director, Flash

Flash is the most known system amongst all the categories. It belongs to the family of timeline based authoring sytems. Director's architecture is almost the same, the main difference is that Director is the best tool for offline (CD, DVD) media while Flash is the best tool for online (Internet) media. There are other important differences, but both are suitable for e-learning stuff.

Object-oriented systems, eg. Visual Basic, Visual C++, …

These authoring systems are mostly for programmers with object-oriented view. They can be easily handled by a programmer because they are visual in a matter of way, but extremely hard for a newbie. They can be used for special purposes, too.

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Exercise
Try the most frequently used software, Adobe Flash. You can download a try-out version from the website of Adobe. You can use the software for 30 days without restrictions.

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You can find detailed description about making a presentation, integration into PowerPoint in the book TC03 - PowerPoint !

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Reference Works

1. Gross, Phil: Director 8 and Lingo, Macromedia Press, Berkely 2 001.

2. Tay Vaugham: Multimedia, Osborne, MacGraw-Hill