Pedagogical Implications of Web-based Authoring Tools

In this book chapter (to appear in Badrul Khan's new book Web-based training), Dr. Nada Dabbagh, Kate Silc and I examined some of the current integrated Web course authoring tools in the context of actual delivered courses to try and get beyond the typical "feature" assessment of these tools. By evaluating (informally) the courses produced with these tools, we hoped to gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the software when used for teaching and learning.
 

• student guidance
• navigation
• content organization
• recommended learning strategies
• elicited formative evaluation feedback
• multiple paths to access content

• repetition of navigation and menu content in several areas

• clear, logical format
• main topics self contained units
• student-centered navigation structure

• group interaction not integral to all parts of course
• no search, index or glossary features to assist in large amount of information
• additional outside links may have assisted learning

• customizable course options providing structural flexibility
• capitalizes on a wide range of attributes and media available on the Web
• on-line support, resource support, inside and outside collaboration evident

• multitude of options may prove too complex for novice users

• well organized electronic discussions with specific objectives and expectations evident
• direct links from expectations to appropriate section of conference
• help section, resource links for provided Web development

• outside resource links provided not clearly linked to instructional objectives
• lack of professional and customizable interface design
• lack of annotated links making importance to assignments difficult to discern

• efficient ordering of content with clear expectations of student evident
• inside collaborative activities evident
• shared work space for team assignments
• annotating of documents for shared viewing while preserving original

• better cues for navigation are needed
• internal navigation within frames can be confusing
• purpose of icons not intuitive
• requires various plug-ins and additional applications