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I spent a couple of very happy decades developing serious interactive
CBT, from simulations to instructional games to advanced drill and
practice and so on. Audiences ranged from pre-readers to Army logistics
experts. Yes, you need to do your instructional design first. Yes, you
need to know your audience and your learning goals first.
A couple of good tools are still available. SumTotal Systems ToolBook
lets you program as much as you need to and build from components where
that works. http://www.toolbook.com. Combines an authoring tool with a
programming language, to good effect. There's still an active authoring
community so you can find assistance and hire developers.
Intersystem Concepts Everest Authoring Tool is also very very good for
serious CBT. http://www.insystem.com/everest/index.htm. Also combines
drag and drop authoring tool stuff with a programming language...but you
rarely need the programming language.
Everest was created by a pair of authentic genius-in-a-garage guys, so
it has that sweet fit and finish and passion that only GIAGs seem to
manage. ToolBook has been through a few committees, but it has more
corporate heft if that matters to you.
Authorware never did it for me - too clumsy and created bulky files back
when that mattered. Anything worth doing had to be done in Lingo.
Captivate and its friends let you create nice interactive movies. But
interactive movies aren't training. You have to be able to branch based
not just on the most recent interaction, but on several interactions, or
on a score, or on any level of history, or on the contents of variables.
Otherwise you don't have the flexibility required for true CBT.
- Jessica, still dreaming occasionally of the old PLATO days
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
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Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
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