Abstract

          This paper compares and contrasts features that are inherent in fourteen different software programs that are currently in use for developing online course materials. Each program must be examined to discover important features that may be necessary in any given situation.  Once a learning situation is defined and a prioritized list of features is developed, an institution can begin to search for the appropriate package.  The information concerning the features outlined in this paper should help an institution begin their search.

     Many different software packages are currently available on the market to help instructors and designers design and present materials to be used in online teaching applications. Two different ways now exist to develop content.  One way is to use third party editors to create HTML and other formats. The other way is to have a desktop component that allows the user to develop and automatically convert the content into HTML and Java.  Currently all of the programs discussed below have some merit but each program must be examined to discover important features that may be necessary in any given situation. While selecting a software package for an institution, many different factors should be considered.  It is imperative that the type of learning situation is defined.  The types of learning situations that could occur include combining the traditional classroom setting with the use of the Web for supplemental materials and learner support services using the course supplemental model as discribed by Steven Saltzberg and Susan Polyson (1999, p.1).  The "virtual classroom" is a situation where all learning takes place on the World Wide Web and can be described in the "Virtual Classroom Model" (Saltzberg, Polyson, 1999, p.2). A third situation defines computer-based learning with tutorials and self paced learning as the main components, it can be linked to the "Resource-based Course Model" described by Dr. Lawrence Ragan (1999, p.5).   The next situation concerns corporate training models for large audiences.  This situation can work in conjunction with the "Wrap Around Model" described by Robin Mason (1998, p.6), that allows existing corporate materials and online activities to equally share importance.   Models must also be carefully selected as they rely upon the possibilities that are available and inherent in an institution's infrasturcture.  The available packages can be compared and contrasted according to the features that are innate to their program.
      One application that is inherent in these programs is their ability to view HTML documents.  However, the way they can use Web browsers to accomplish this task differs from one package to the next.  Features linked directly to Web browsers are accessibility, bookmarks, multimedia, and security.
     Accessibility is a feature that is available for persons with disabilities.  It provides a universal text version and does not use frames, tables or images.  Packages that include this feature are Blackboard and eCollege.com.  Blackboard provides a text only version while eCollege.com provides core features that are compatible with leading screen readers for the blind.
     Bookmarks are used to identify Internet locations. TopClass supports bookmarks using a standard Web browser.  Virtual-U lets the user link anywhere from within the syllabus, assignments, and a conferencing message.  eCollege.com has a "Webliography" feature that allows the instructor to list resources in a centralized location.  WebCT uses bookmarks that allow students to return to the most recently visited pages.  Other tools that include this feature are Blackboard and Lotus LearningSpace.
     Multimedia features support images, audio, video and other types of files.  This is a very important feature in my eyes as I feel that media-rich content is motivating and interesting to students.  Each package allows for different types of multimedia to be added to the course.  TopClass and Web Course in a Box embed multimedia links in their courseware.  Virtual-U has a tool that allows the instructor to upload text, graphics, video and audio into the course content area.  Students are also able to upload these types of files via a "Submission Box".  The Virtual-U Conferencing area also allows multimedia content to be included with conference messages.
     Browser security is an important feature to insure secure transactions on the Web.  TopClass secures the standard password, username, and privileges. Web Course in a Box does the same but the latest version also allows for an anonymous login option.  Like WebCT, Virtual-U secures the login, username, password, and allows users to change their password's online.  Also in both programs, administrators can control access, allow opening Web pages for the public to view, and provide different views and privileges to students and instructors.
     Another important feature that is paramount in the design of these courseware programs is their ability to allow the student and instructor to communicate.  Communication tools will allow for asynchronous and synchronous sharing. 
     Most of the applications have an E-mail function but they support this function in different manners.  Beyond the basic E-mail function, TopClass also supports an optional picture file.  Web Course in a Box, ToolBook, WebCT, Virtual-U supports intraclass E-mail.  Virtual-U also allows the use of the E-mail system that is inherent in the browser.  And, WebCT has an E-mail search function integrated into the student tracking and grade maintenance tools. Blackboard uses the Push System. LearningSpace E-mail can notify students of assessments, work assignments, review assignments, and announcements. WebCT and eCollege.com allows the instructor to E-mail an entire class or an individual directly from a central location by clicking on the students name and it will be sent to the students regular E-mail program. 
     Synchronous sharing, or real time communication tools also vary greatly among the different programs.  Chat features that allow Internet Relay Chats and other text exchanges in real time are very popular.  Chat tools are included in Web Course in a Box, Blackboard, ToolBook, Lotus Learning Space, eCollege, and WebCT.  An integrated whiteboard is available in Version 4 of Web Course in a Box.  ToolBook has a feature called "ToolBook Librarian" that manages online discussions and third party collaborations with ichat's ROOMS, Microsoft Netmeeting and more.  WebCT and eCollege.com are similar in that they allow instructors to archive chats and create separate chatrooms.  These archived chats can later be reviewed by both students and instructors.
     The voice chat feature that allows users to communicate by using a microphone and speaker conference type call over the Internet is not widely in use although it is a very valuable tool.  Blackboard uses Horizon Live as their voice chat program.  Currently Lotus LearningSpace supports audio conferencing, but it will only work on high speed lines.  This is definitely a feature that should be added to upgrades of these types of programs in the future.
     Synchronous sharing can also be accomplished through a white board that includes shared text like as seen in the chat function.  However, a whiteboard may allow users to share drawings plus text.  Blackboard incorporates the Tutor Net whiteboard.  Lotus LearningSpace offers the whiteboard feature through the companion product, DataBeam Learning Server 2.0.  Web Course in a Box offers a whiteboard with software from Link-Systems International that is achievable and therefore can be used for both synchronous and asynchronous communication.
     Application sharing allows the user to run an application on one machine, and share the view of the running application by putting it up on the Web.  Sometimes with application sharing, mouse control of the application can also be shared.  This tool is very useful if an instructor is trying to teach a new software package to students.  Blackboard supports application sharing through "Group Pages" and "Virtual Chats".  As with the ToolBook chat feature, ToolBook uses  the ToolBook Librarian to manage third party collaborations of companion software such as Microsoft Netmeeting to allow application sharing.  LearningSpace uses the companion product DataBeam Learning Server 2.0 AppShare for the task. 
     The only one of these courseware programs that supports virtual space is Blackboard with Virtual "real time" Chat.  This feature is a virtual meeting room for the instructor and the students.
     Group Browsing is a feature that allows all of the class members to take a group tour of Web sites with a shared browser window.  The tour leader and sometimes the members are allowed to interact with the window.  Blackboard supports group browsing by their whiteboard feature within their virtual chat. ToolBook Librarian and Lotus LearningSpace uses the companion product, DataBeam's Learning Server 2.0, to offer group browsing.  eCollege.com takes a different approach and uses their chat tool to allow users to follow links to Web sites provided by each other.
     Teleconferencing, a type of audio conferencing for fast speed modem lines, is also an available feature for ToolBook Librarian and LearningSpace as they use the companion product DataBeam's Learning Server 2.0.
     Videoconferencing is a feature that allows video to be broadcast to those users who do not have a video input device.  Again ToolBook Librarian and LearningSpace use DataBeam's Learning Server and Microsoft's Netmeeting to provide users with the videoconferencing feature.  Lotus LearningSpace also allows the instructor to control the floor.  Instant feedback can occur during real time question & answer periods.
     Student tools can include self-assessing tests and quizzes, progress tracking, searching, motivation building, and study skill building among others.  Self-assessing tests, quizzes, and surveys allow the students to assess their own skills as they proceed through the course.  Although these types of activities do not need to be recorded as part of a student's grade, they can often be automatically marked and reported. Web Course in a Box also allows students to take self-scoring quizzes that can be timed and scored. Version 4 of Web Course in a Box also allows for a self-assessing data set for item analysis. eCollege.com has a feature called "Exam Builder" that allows an instructor to design materials that include answers and explanations so users can perform self-assessments and work at their own pace.  Other packages that include self-assessment are TopClass, Lotus Learning Space, WebCT, and Blackboard. These programs support self-scoring quizzes.
     Students can check their progress/grades with programs that offer a progress tracking feature.  Surprisingly eCollege.com does not have such a feature available. TopClass uses a discussion/ class announcement area to post coursework, test scores, and messages.  Web Course in a Box 4 only lets users view their own submissions.  Blackboard lets instructors provide comments both numerically or by using text comments that can be seen by the students.  In addition to grades, WebCT allows the instructor to decide if they want to give the student the option to view student centered information such as the first and most recent access dates.  It can also grant access to  content centered information such as the number of accesses to a page and the average time spent on a page. Toolbox lets the instructor relay marks back to the student after they have taken an automatically recorded test. Lotus Learning Space uses individual student folders so each student can track their assignments and grades.
     A searching feature lets students locate parts of course materials by typing in words to find in a certain location. Blackboard supports this type of word search through meta data.  It also supports a content search through a course map.  WebCT allows the user to search course notes and discussions. Lotus LearningSpace also has a search feature.
     Motivation Building can be described as a feature that allows the instructor to provide customized cousework to individual students, self-help tools, an area for personal portfolios or Web pages, or other materials that are meant to keep the student on track.  Web Course in a Box allows students to create Web portfolios that can be linked to Web projects and used in one or more classes.  Lotus LearningSpace also supports portfolios for students.  WebCT has an area for students to build their own homepage without knowledge of HTML.  Students can also have their own home page for the course.  Other programs that have motivation building features include TopClass, and Blackboard.
     The study skill building feature includes simple review materials, tools, or short tutorials that help students develop effective study habits. TopClass, Virtual-U, Blackboard, WebCT, and Lotus LearningSpace all have some type of study skill building.
      Support tools are those primary elements that allow instructors and designers to create and build materials that will be used in an online environment.  These features are considered the most important to users who do not have a working knowledge of HTML.  Because they may be lacking this knowledge, they will surely select a package that insures the user the automatic transformation of information to HTML or Java.  Although HTML knowledge is helpful in using all these programs, it is required for several programs we reviewed. All of the programs we reviewed differ in the way that the support tools are managed.
     The course planning features provide the tools for the initial course layout and structuring. TopClass supports remote authoring, but has an hierarchical outlining tool for course planning and creation.  Web Course in a Box uses multiple templates and allows for customization of these templates.  Virtual U allows the instructor to define units, topics, assignments, and resources by using what they call a "Course Structuring Tool".  It also enables instructors to upload text and links to their file system.  Blackboard uses templates for menu pages, instructional pages, site maps, schedules, and glossaries.  Instructors must have knowledge of HTML to use WebCT, but two features called "Course Look and Feel," and "Course Welcome Page," help instructors begin the initial course layout.  Lotus Learning Space uses templates and a hierarchal outline style for course planning.  eCollege lets instructors build their course in the "Author mode".  It has tools to create a course home page, announcements, syllabus, and calendar. 
     Course managing tools enable instructors to control access to course resources, to gather information concerning students, and manage tracking and progress of students.  In TopClass, instructors can use the information that they gather about their students to determine if additional coursework need be assigned based on test scores.  Instructors control access to course materials and make it only available to registered users.  Web Course in a Box lets multiple instructors manage and edit a class. The instructor also has control of the gradebook facility and the threaded discussion forum.  Virtual U also allows instructors to manage the gradebook facility and supports numerical or text comments. The instructor decides if the student has access to the gradebook.  In the conference area the instructor can assign groups or decide to have a conference with an individual.  Instructors can also manage different types of multimedia by using an upload tool for the "Course Space" area. Blackboard allows instructors to add and delete users and E-mail addresses, modify conferences, and assign students specific lessons.  Instructors also manage the gradebook facility and student tracking.  WebCT lets instructors manage student accounts, the grade facility with statistics of the grades, division of students into groups, the student presentation area, chat forum, calendar and scheduling.  In Lotus LearningSpace, the instructor uses "The Schedule" to manage course assignments, course development tools, links, and assessments.  eCollege requires an administrative setup and only allows the instructor to manage things like enrollment options.
     The course customizing feature allows instructors to design a class that is special and unique.  This feature lets instructors/designers change the look and structure of the course and materials within the course.  As TopClass 4 supports 100% remote authoring, the courses can easily change their look and structure.  This software also boasts easy course transfer from one server to the next. Web Course in a Box is limited to templates that can provide six basic looks.  Virtual U uses online Web based forms for revisions and file upload capabilities.  Blackboard has a centralized page that allows the instructor to make fast revisions by using a control panel.  WebCT has a standard look and structure, but easy revisions to content can be accomplished via the Web.  ToolBox uses an "Open Library Exchange" in order allow instructors to enter third-party content.  Lotus LearningSpace uses a "Customization Library" to use existing LearningSpace graphics or instructors can import their own.  It also offers a variety of page layouts. 
     Course monitoring features provide information about grades and usage of course resources.  TopClass, Web Course in a Box, Blackboard, WebCT, Toolbox, and Lotus LearningSpace all contain course monitoring features.  WebCT contains the greatest number of course monitoring features including student centered progress tracking, content centered progress tracking, grades, statistics for grades, and tools for the site administrator.  The site administrator can monitor course number, size, creation, modification, and enrollment.
     Lesson tools allow the instructor to create assignments, modules, units, topics and more.  TopClass uses a course outlining tool. Web Course in a Box has templates, calendar, and syllabus tools.  Blackboard uses templates that insure no HTML knowledge is required.  WebCT also uses templates for course outlines, assignments, and more, but a knowledge of HTML is required.  The lesson tools are great in ToolBook as it has templates, wizards, and objects.  The Digital Video Producer and Recorder allow instructors to capture and edit video files for lessons.  Lotus LearningSpace uses templates but in addition allows instructors to embed multimedia, simulation programs or external Web sites. 
     Tools for formatting and displaying course materials over the Web also vary greatly among the different programs. TopClass uses navigation buttons to move throughout the course.  The course can include streaming audio and video, Shockwave, Java and more.  Web Course in a Box uses template driven presentations.  WebCT can present information by showing single pages of content, multi-page content with the use of frames, common icons and shared functions, and more.  ToolBook supports graphics, animation, audio, video, Java, PowerPoint, cascading style sheets, Adobe Acrobat, and a variety of other file formats.  Lotus Learning Space uses base documents that can easily show text, video, links, and the same types of files as ToolBook.  eCollege can show text, exams, multimedia, and threaded discussions.
     The testing features help instructors design tests, quizzes, exams, and other assignments. All of the programs listed here except eCollege, also support marking student generated material online. TopClass facilitates multiple choice, file attachment questions, essay questions with a comment box, fill in the blanks and others.  It has a test bank for random generation, and optional self testing. Web Course in a Box 4 has a quiz builder for multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay.   Besides the types of quizzes available from Web Course in a Box, Blackboard also has ordering and timed quizzes.  WebCT allows for surveys, practice, lab, and timed quizzes. Lotus LearningSpace uses an "Assessment Manager" for the design of multiple choice, essay and surveys. eCollege supports multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill in the blank, short answer, essay, and oral exams.
       Administration tools are found on the server side of the application and extend to the setup/configuration of the client side software.  They include setup and maintenance tasks.  Authorization tools allow the system administrator to grant access and other privileges to individual users or groups. TopClass4 allows the administrator to assign all privileges, guest accounts, and registration, via a Web browser.  Blackboard and Web Course in a Box support batch handling of accounts. Blackboard CourseInfo Enterprise also supports registration and online fees handling. The administrator of WebCT can authorize courses and access. LearningSpace has an extensive authorization system called Domino that ensures only registered users have access to courses. This system also supports registration. The Virtual U system administrator can use a table to designate privileges. TopClass, Web Course in a Box, Virtual U, WebCT, ToolBox, Lotus, do not currently support online fees handling.  All these programs have some type of server security and remote access, except eCollege with no remote access.
     The server platforms also vary among programs.  TopClass, can run on Windows NT, Mac OS, or Unix. Web Course in a Box, ToolBook, WebCT, Virtual U, and Blackboard works with Windows NT and Unix servers.  eCollege uses Windows NT. Lotus LearningSpace uses Domino.
     CyberChalk integrates both course authoring with course delivery features.  The Continuing Education course option allows instructors to manage registration, online fees handling, course progress, and test grades.  In a course database they can control course numbers, test items, and evaluations.  The system works with Windows NT or a PowerPC with 32 MB. The demo course was not available at this time to learn more about the authoring features.
     An institution thinking about using one of these packages should create a prioritized list of features applicable to their situation to select the best package.  Pricing for these packages often depend on features and number of users. An institution should directly contact the vendor for pricing.
     In addition to these full-blown programs, multimedia authoring packages exist.  The software reviewed included three from Macromedia, CourseBuilder for Dreamweaver, Authorware, Director, Allen Communications' Quest, and MaxIT Corporation's Dazzle. 
     CourseBuilder is a dynamic course authoring tool that can be run on Windows 95/98/NT, or Mac OS with 32 MB RAM. As an extension program for Dreamweaver, it uses templates, drag/drop, and wizards to help instructors design truly interactive activities.  It easily allows for inclusion of Authorware, Flash, Fireworks, and more.  Knowledge of file and folder structure is imperative.  It claims that the user does not need HTML knowledge, but I would strongly recommend it.
     Authorware also allows for the creation of a media-rich interactive environment.  Using Lotus Pathware, Authorware can automatically track and store student results.  It uses templates, drag/drop and wizards to help create more than ten types of interactions. This also claims that the user does not need HTML knowledge, but it is helpful. It can easily incorporate Flash 4, Quick Time 4 & VR, and animated gifs. 
      Director allows the designer to blend graphics, sound, animation, text, and video to create streaming interactive Web content.  The Shockwave Studio components allow editing and control of materials in a centralized area.  Fireworks 3 is included in the Director 8 studio. A publish command allows the instructor to deliver Shockwave content.  It also uses templates, drag/drop and wizards.
     Dazzler is an intuitive development tool that can be used to create materials that can be published to a disk, CD-ROM or the Internet.  It includes a "Dazzler Java Player" that is an applet for delivering materials over the Internet or on an Intranet.  It has a template library, style sheets, question wizard, spell checker, and a file conversion utility.  A feature I found particularly interesting was "Movie Layering" that allows text to be layered on top of video files.  It can run on Windows 95/98/NT with 16 MB Ram and a color graphics card with 4MB of video memory.  Of the authoring packages discussed, this is the one I would like to learn extensively.
     Quest 6.0 is for users who wish to design multimedia training materials.  It has a WYSIWYG environment that also uses templates, drag/drop and wizards. It is unique in that it can show a type of course map, as a visual outline of the entire structure of the course, with a thumbnail view of frames and how they relate to each other.  It has ActiveX support that allows for third party tools to be used inside Quest.  A master resource list controls the file and folder structures.  It requires a 32-bit Windows operating system, Windows 95/98/NT, Pentium 200 or higher recommended, 128 MG RAM recommended, and an SVGA graphics card.
     All of the programs discussed above are viable means for creating materials to be used in an online environment.  My personal favorites include Blackboard, Lotus LearningSpace, and Director.  I liked Blackboard because it was very easy to use, Lotus LearningSpace and Director because of the media-rich environments they can create.  I would select to use Blackboard for the course I wrote about in CAE 500 for many reasons.  Blackboard has a text only accessibility feature, archiveable voice chat, whiteboard, application sharing with group pages and virtual chats.  The virtual real time chat feature acts as a virtual meeting room for both instructors and students.  It offers a variety of testing features including self assessment, self scoring quizzes.  Instructors can create multiple choice, true/false, short answer, ordering, timed quizzes and essays.  They can give grades numerically or provide text comments.  Other features include word search with metadata, motivation and skill building for students.  The main reason I would use this software is the easy to use authoring features that can be accessed from a centralized control panel to create, edit, and revise course elements.  Templates exist for menu pages, instructional pages, site maps, schedules, and glossaries.  No prior knowledge of HTML is required for using this program.  Course managing features also allow instructors to manage student accounts, the grade facility including statistical analysis, division of students into groups, a student presentation area, chat forum, calendar and scheduling. Blackboard CourseInfo Enterprise supports online registration, online fees handling, and batch uploads of accounts.  It works with both Windows NT and Unix servers.  This software offers a complete package with many useful features. 
    I would have to say that each package has merit and I would not mind using any of them to create materials.
 

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