Authoring Tools

Training & Development, April, 2001 by Ryann K. Ellis

Periodically, T&D surveys the latest authoring software. As the e-learning market expands, so does the number of authoring tools. So, how do you decide what to buy?

As with any software purchase, review hardware and software compatibility, required add-ons, vendor support, and vendor reputation. Consider the needs of your developers and learners before evaluating software packages. In particular, training developers should look for such features as built-in testing, feedback modules, and course templates.

Rather than use a shareware program because it's cheap or an authoring package that's for building general Websites, try these authoring tools geared at developing e-learning:

* Quest 6.0

* Toolbook II Instructor 8

* Trainersoft 7 Professional

* Web Learning Studio.

The roundup chart includes a list of product features, cost, and contact information.

Ryann K. Ellis is Web editor of T&D

Product                     Features
Quest 6.0                   * object-oriented, event-driven architecture
Mentergy                    * reusable template library
2000 River Edge Parkway     * built-in interactivity tools
Suite 850                   * graphical object list
Atlanta, GA 30328           * drag-and-drop functionality for building
Phone: 800.325.7850         simulation and games
Web: mentergy.com           * streaming media capabilities
                            * ActiveX support
                            * Internet, CD-ROM, or blended delivery
                            * Other tools: Designer's Edge, Manager's
                            Edge, Advisor, Net Synergy
ToolBook II Instructor 8    * object-oriented architecture
Click2learn.com             * reusable template library
110 110th Avenue N.E.       * built-in interactivity tools
Suite 700                   * graphical object list
Bellevue, WA 98004          * drag-and-drop functionality for building
Phone: 800.448.6543         action sequences
Web: click2learn.com        * streaming media capabilities
                            * Web-based LMS via e-learning network
                            * DHTML support
                            * SCORM compliance
                            * Internet, intranet, or CD-ROM delivery
                            * Other tools: ToolBook II Assistant,
                            Ingenium
Trainersoft 7 Professional  * object-oriented architecture
Trainersoft.com             * reusable template library
4020 West Chase Boulevard   * built-in testing and assessment tools
Westchase 1, Suite 400      * graphical object list
Raleigh, NC 27607           * drag-and-drop functionality for simulations
Phone: 919.754.0000         * streaming media capabilities
Web: trainersoft.com        * HTML or EXE delivery
                            * Other tool: Manager 2.0
Web Learning Studio         * object-oriented architecture
Macromedia                  * reusable template library
600 Townsend Street         * built-in interactivity, testing and
San Francisco, CA 94103     assessment, and data-tracking tools
Phone: 800.326.2128         * graphical and knowledge object list
Web: macromedia.com         * drag-and-drop functionality for building
                            action sequences
                            * streaming media capabilities
                            * menu driven interface
                            * AICC compliance
                            * DHTML support
                            * Internet, intranet, or CD-ROM delivery
                            * Package includes Authorware 5.2, Flash
                            5, and Dreamweaver 4, with CourseBuilder
                            and Shockwave software extensions
Product                     Cost
Quest 6.0                   Contact supplier.
Mentergy
2000 River Edge Parkway
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: 800.325.7850
Web: mentergy.com
ToolBook II Instructor 8    US$2,495; includes 30 days free technical
Click2learn.com             support. Upgrades start at US$695. Special
110 110th Avenue N.E.       pricing available.
Suite 700
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: 800.448.6543
Web: click2learn.com
Trainersoft 7 Professional  US$1,699.99 edition; includes 60 days free
Trainersoft.com             technical support.
4020 West Chase Boulevard
Westchase 1, Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: 919.754.0000
Web: trainersoft.com
Web Learning Studio         US$2,999
Macromedia
600 Townsend Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 800.326.2128
Web: macromedia.com