authoring system

Authoring systems are used to create multimedia learning content, learning programs, presentations and interactive catalogs. With them multimedia applications can be created in generally understandable language. Without programming knowledge, authoring systems offer a considerable simplification and reduction of the creation time.

Authoring systems are characterized by user-friendliness and simplicity, they have graphical user interfaces, menu-driven design of texts, graphics, animations and program sequences, and offer easy integration of multimedia elements. In addition, page-oriented authoring systems can trigger interactions such as jumping to other pages.

A distinction is made between authoring systems that are object-oriented, page-oriented, structure diagram-oriented, or that present their content in a timeline-oriented manner.

In object-oriented authoring systems, objects can be assigned certain properties that they execute. The objects are portable and their properties can be transferred to other learning series relatively easily.

The page-oriented authoring systems are characterized by a high level of interaction and are primarily used in learning programs. They work page-oriented interactive. This means that clicking on an embedded term triggers a jump command to another page. Corresponding page-oriented systems are suitable for e-books, learning programs and for e-catalogs

Structure diagram-oriented authoring systems clearly represent the structure of a program flow. Corresponding authoring systems are easily portable and are used in complex applications.

In time axis-oriented authoring systems, the author works on a time axis in which he can position the various learning and replay components. Each component can be positioned in the timeline with the appropriate timing. This technique is suitable for free-running presentations.