Authoring environment

Draft

Definition

• authoring environment is toolkit to build software or digital contents.

• An educational authoring environment allows to create artifacts like web sites, interactive hypermedia, microworlds, simulations,

Genres

According to difficulty, e.g.

• Programming toolkits, often used together with an integrated development environment (IDE)
• Visual languages to author interactive systems
• Content authoring systems

According to formats

(see various entries)

• Multimedia formats in various forms (bitmap graphics, vector graphics, etc.), e.g. tools for formats like:
  • Macromedia Flash
  • Macromedia Director
• Interactive educational multimedia
  • Macromedia Authorware
  • Hypercard and followups like Revolution
• E-learning
  • Most LMSs do include an authoring environment through web-based forms. See IMS Content Packaging.
• microworlds, e.g:
  • Squeak, in particular its visual eToys scripting language.
  • LEGO Mindstorms
  • ToonTalk