Wk3 – “Tools of the Trade”
As our technology advance and our aesthetic needs grow, producers of e-learning environments must enhance their product to have more functions and look more pleasing. There are many tools that are used to build, or in other words author, e-learning environments. Just like how carpenters use many hardware tools to build a product, e-learning developers also use many software tools to make their product.
The first and most important tool that e-learning developers need is an authoring tool because “an authoring tool is the software you use to assemble the course as a whole” (TOTT, p.4.2). One way of thinking about authoring tools is that it can build the skeletal structure of an e-learning environment. Then, it is all a matter of making the interface of e-learning more appealing with graphics and media. “The two most common HTML editors on the market are Microsoft’s FrontPage and Macromedia’s Dreamweaver” (p.4.3).
To do graphics and media, the developers will most likely need to rely on a separate set of tools called element tools because “in some cases, your authoring tool may have the capability to create these elements and you wouldn’t need a separate tool” (p.4.9). However, in most cases the authoring tools may not allow the user to make those minor adjustments that the user need. Element tools are tools like Photoshop (graphics editing), iMovie (video editing), and GarageBand (audio editing).
So, to develop an e-learning environment one must be very skilled at many different software tools. But, the likelihood of mastering all the skills take quite some time so most developers have to work in teams. Working in teams and breaking down the job makes development of e-learning environments more manageable. Aside from being able to use the software, buying the software is expensive. So, “find the best product” that “meet your needs and your budget” (p.4.25).
Source
Tools of the Trade (TOTT). (n.d) Retrieved July 23, 2010, from http://www.e-learningguru.com/wpapers/4-Tools.pdf
Reading this article brings to mind the phrase, "Jack of all trades". It is impressive how much a developer needs to know. I am a huge fan of delegation lol.
ReplyDeleteYour analogies are the best! I love the way you broke it down into different tools. So much goes into creating a great e-learning environment. At my job, I am the only one using the programs and developing since it is a new position for the organization. I know I am not an expert in any way, but I do the best I can with the resources I am given. I can definitely attest to the fact that working in teams with skilled professionals makes development of e-learning environments much more manageable. I can say that after purchasing a program to use to create e-learning lessons, the company’s technical support has been extremely helpful in answering questions. In addition, they have an incredible blog full of ideas and creative ways to create a more effective and engaging e-learning environment. A lot goes into creating that I am barely starting to realize and understand. So many tools and so much to learn!
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