Authoring tools are programs, templates and wizards that help novices create computer-based learning modules. The use of authoring tools in English language teaching is nothing new, but still many people do not have any inkling as to what are authoring tools. In English language teaching, teachers make use of many teaching templates and wizards to create web-based activities and exercises, tests and quizzes.
Teachers even plan presentations with the help of authoring tools. These interactive exercises and programs thus form important components of ESL course curriculums. Most importantly, authoring tools facilitate the incorporation of the interactive programs into Web pages on the Internet so that they are accessible to multiple users.
The Teaching Templates collection is an assorted set of nine authoring tools that help ESL/EFL teachers create exercises and course curriculums very fast. The nine authoring tools packaged as Teaching Templates are Energy Saver (fill in the missing letters), Flashcards, Gap Text (based on Cloze test procedure), In Other Words (Synonyms), Mastermind, Multiple Choice, Playtime, Question Time and What's Your Opinion.
As authoring tools, Teaching Templates hardly call for any technical expertise on the user’s part. Simply, clicking on the template takes the tool user to the build screen and all he/she needs to do is input data – questions, answers, options, etc., etc. At the end of it all, the program generates the Web page. Teaching Templates permit the users change the appearance of the exercises by allowing them customize the Web pages. Thus, you can alter the background color, add new images, and even introduce sound into the program.
The Hot Potatoes suite is another collection of six authoring tools, namely, crossword, gap-fill exercises, jumbled-sentence, matching/ordering, multiple-choice and short-answer based exercises. Each authoring tool in isolation can be used to prepare interactive online tests and exercises for English Language Programs.
Create word search puzzles Schoolhouse Technologies’ effective authoring tool Word Search Factory. This will give your students good vocabulary and spelling practice.
These are only to name a few authoring tools. There are many authoring tools aiding ESL teaching such as spell-checks, grammar exercises, text-reconstruction and so on and so forth. All you need to do is explore the different English language websites on the World Wide Web.
Is that all? No, certainly not. You shouldn’t choose just about any authoring tool. You will first need to decide on the type of activity you are planning to develop and then proceed to selecting the authoring tool. Remember developing a series of exercises or tests will be much easier compared to planning a total course curriculum. So, chalk out your educational plan before you get started with the tools.
Once you have tackled this part, you will need to ensure if the system can match the specific requirements of the exercises/activities you are planning. As a rule, specific language learning tools offer templates for specific activities instead of providing overall support for course curriculum. Generic systems being more flexible help you with the course creating; however, these programs require enhanced skills.
The other factors, which need consideration, are the costs involved, the scopes for re-using the programs and resources, user friendliness of the exercises, etc. Knowing what are the authoring tools in English Language teaching will not do! You really need to have deep knowledge and understanding to be effective with the authoring tools as an ESL instructor.
