Macromedia Authorware From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Authorware) Macromedia Authorware (now part of Adobe Systems) was an interpreted, flowchart based, graphical programming language. Authorware is used for creating interactive programs that can integrate a range of multimedia content, particularly e-learning applications. The flowchart model differentiates Authorware from other authoring tools, such as Flash and Director, which rely on a visual stage, time-line and script structure. History Authorware was originally produced by Authorware Inc., founded in 1987 by Dr Michael Allen. Allen had contributed to the development of the PLATO computer-assisted instruction system during the 1970s that was developed jointly by the University of Illinois and Control Data Corporation. CDC, where Allen was Director of Advanced Instructional Systems R&D, invested heavily in the development of an expansive library of interactive courseware to run on the PLATO system. Topics ranged from primary academic topics to aviation, organizational leadership and even roof-top agriculture, to name a few. PLATO courseware was developed in a unique programming language called TUTOR, which provided structures unique to learning interactions, such as answer judging and branching. Using unique, advanced hardware and extraordinary system software, TUTOR programmers were able to build powerful learning experiences that included simulations and games. Some of the best instructional applications ever built were created on this system. However, despite the intent to create a special-purpose programming language usable by educators, and the decades of work that went into it, the TUTOR language was not easy to learn. In fact, it was even suggested that several years of experience with the language would be required before programmers could build programs worth keeping. And unless programmers were knowledgeable about sophisticated programming principles and disciplined in their work, programs were very difficult to modify and maintain. Originally titled Course of Action (CoA), it was a Macintosh-only program. It produced runtime programs for DOS. Authorware came later and produced DOS runtime versions until the release of the first Microsoft Windows version. Authorware completely changed not only the process of developing learning programs, but also who could create them. Authorware used a visual interface with icons, representing essential components of the interactive learning experience. "Authors", as opposed to only programmers, placed icons along a “flowline” to create a sequence of events. Icons represented such components as Display—put something on the screen, Question—as the learner for a response, Calc—perform a calculation, read data, and/or store data, and Animate—move something around on the screen. By simply placing the icons in sequence, adjusting their From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorware 1 2 February 2010 properties, authors could instantly see the structure of program they were creating and, most importantly, run it to see what learners would see. On-screen changes were easy to make, even while the program was running! Non-programmers and programmers alike could use it. Program development was faster by orders of magnitude. Learning events were more interactive and sophisticated that what even most programmers could have developed without it. Modifications were quick and easy. The structure was self-documenting. Applications ran on both PC and Apple platforms. Data on learner responses were automatically tracked for evaluation of both the individual’s performance and the effectiveness of the program across all learners. Authorware became a rapid success in the marketplace, obtaining more than 80% of the market in about three years. Authorware Inc. merged with MacroMind/Paracomp in 1992 to form Macromedia. In December 2005, Adobe and Macromedia merged, under the Adobe Systems name. The most recent version of Authorware is 7.02; version 7 was released in 2003. The Authorware player has some issues with Internet Explorer 7 and later under Windows Vista due to Protected mode as well as runtime errors due to a bug in Authorware's implementation of ReadURL() Javascript function. [1] It was generally known in the Authorware development community that version 8.0 was in production prior to the merger between the two companies, with 4 beta versions released to external testing shortly before the merger was completed. Among several other features intended for the new version, the ability to publish to Flash's SWF (ShockWave Flash) was at the top of the list. Once production shifted to Adobe's off-shore development facility in Bangalore, India, the free-flow of information that had been enjoyed between Macromedia's engineering team and its beta testers was curtailed. On Friday, August 3, 2007, after several years of keeping the development community in limbo, Adobe finally announced its plans to discontinue development of Authorware. Usage & features Authorware's distinctive style revolves around a central icon: the Interaction Icon. The structure of the authoring environment encourages rich interaction; complex user feed-back is not only possible but somewhat suggested by the software, rather than suggesting the usual media diffusion. This Interaction Icon allows various forms of user feedback (move object to, along a line, click an object or hot-spot; plus the usual text-entry, keypress, etc.) The original strength in education of Authorware could be linked to its roots in pedagogical models based on constructivist views. Authorware programs start by creating a flowline, which is a flowchart showing the structure of the developer's program. The developer can add and manage text, graphics, animation, sound and video; develop interactivity and add navigational elements such as links, buttons, and menus. Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Director movies can also be integrated into an Authorware project. Xtras, or add-ins, can also be used to extend the functionality of Authorware, which is similar to HyperCard's XCMDs. Authorware's power can be even better utilized with the use of variables, functions and expressions. Authorware can interpret both its built-in proprietary scripting language and JavaScript version 1.5. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorware 2 2 February 2010 Over time, Authorware has lost its specificity. More power was gained as more scripting added graphical design, interaction and integration features, but Authorware's special interaction- centred, clean, simple design was lost along the way. However, there are still many Fortune 500 companies that use Authorware as their main platform. Authorware programs can be distributed as stand-alone executable files, or over the web which requires a proprietary Authorware Web Player. Use in E-Learning Authorware is particularly well suited to creating e-learning content, as it includes highly customizable templates for CBT and WBT, including student assessment tools. Working with these templates, businesses and schools can rapidly assemble multimedia training materials without needing to hire a full-fledged programmer. Intuitively-named dialog boxes take care of input and output. The flow chart model makes the re-use of lesson elements extremely straightforward. Being both AICC- and SCORM-compliant, Authorware can be used to deliver content via any AICC or SCORM Learning Management System. Moving beyond the templates, however, requires either the importing of interactive Flash or Director movies, or scripting, which can be done in Authorware's native scripting language or in JavaScript. References 1. ^ AWFix [http://code.google.com/p/awfix/] From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorware 3 2 February 2010 .