Authoring tools are software packages which can be used to create and publish online learning materials. The idea behind them is that the software is less complex and more readily usable than high-level design software. This enables teachers and academics to produce and publish professional-looking web content easily and quickly – concentrating on structure, form and pedagogy instead of learning about code.

This project concentrates on the authoring tools eXe and Xerte. They are often used to create e-learning modules and reusable learning objects: self-contained learning materials.

Project plan (first stage)

The aims of the first stage of this project are:

  • to use the authoring tools eXe and Xerte to generate exemplar resources, working in partnership with teachers, academics and their students;
  • to evaluate the effectiveness of these resources and the development process, disseminating findings and lessons learnt;
  • to develop an introductory set of guidelines around using authoring tools to design effective e-learning tutorials; and
  • to roll out the authoring tools in a sustainable and scalable manner.

These aims run until the end of the 08/09 academic year – by which time I will also have started giving sessions and presentations that profile and promote these tools to a widening variety of audiences.

Initial research questions that need to be answered include:

  • For teachers developing e-learning tutorials, to what extent does the process of using these authoring tools help their pedagogical thinking and understanding?
  • For students using these tutorials, to what extent is their understanding of the subject matter improved?
  • Has engaging with these authoring tools afforded teachers new/different pedagogical insights?
  • What does the teacher need to consider when using these authoring tools to use them to their best potential?
  • How far do these tools lend themselves to collaborative authoring?
  • How engaging are the resources for students, when considered alongside and in addition to those produced through Moodle?