| Authoring Programs 
Authoring programs enable users to create dynamic content that includes video,
sound, animation, graphics, and text (plain or hyperlinked). Content can be prepared for
delivery to the Web or in other multimedia formats.
| Examples of Uses |
Animations, hypercard stacks, simulations, interactive games, slide shows |
|
| Requirements for Using it on a
Computer |
Authoring programs are based in the C++ and Visual Basic programming
languages and require extensive system power to run on a computer. Hardware
recommendations include a Pentium-class PC with MMX technology or a Macintosh PowerPC with
a sound card and speakers and a fast connection to the Internet (T1 or better). The
computer should be running Netscape or Internet Explorer 4+ and should be Java enabled. |
|
| Requirements for Using it to
Create Materials |
Creating content with authoring programs is difficult, expensive, and
time-consuming, and will require greater levels of programming experience according to the
complexity of the content being created. Tools in frequent use among professional Web
designers content include Authorware, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Freehand, all developed by Macromedia, and Illustrator,
developed by Adobe. A good example of the use of authoring programs in the scholarly world
is the Geography Network
where cartographers and data providers post research maps created with GIS programs
developed by Environmental
Systems Research Institute. |
|
| Examples in Module 1 |
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This project is a joint initiative of the Center for the Virtual University and the Center for Teaching and Learning
at UMUC.
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