Topic outline

  • General

    • KICTCFT Competency
      The teacher can use authoring tools or environments to design online materials.

      Specific Objectives: On completion of this unit you should be able to:

      1. Identify and discuss various authoring tools
      2. Select a suitable authoring tool
      3. Design and develop online materials

  • Benefits of Authoring Tools

    • Recommended time: 60 minutes


    •  Sub-unit Competency

      Why bother learning additional skills? In this sub-unit we will investigate the benefits of new digital authoring skills.

    • Activity 1: Benefits of authoring tools 

      1. Access the introductory resources below. One is a video message from the KICD that explains why digital authoring is important and necessary while the second resource entitled, 'What are Authoring Tools', tries to explain what digital tools are available to teachers.

      1. Now that we have a better understanding of authoring tools we can look at the benefits of using the tools to create content for teaching. Read the case study below.
      1. Discuss in the forum below, entitled 'Case Study Feedback', the impact of authoring tools on teaching and learning in the reading's case study schools. Make sure you comment on your colleagues' posts.

  • Types of Authoring Tools

    • Recommended time: 45 minutes

    • Sub-unit Competency 

      In this sub-unit we will investigate different authoring tools. Ideally you should find one that works for you.

    • Activity 2: Types of Authoring Tools

      1. Access the introductory reading called 'Authoring Tool Types' and then review the reading entitled an 'Getting Started with Authoring Tools'.
      1. Using a common office suite program create a sample of a teaching resource. Include elements of interactivity to allow students' participation and engagement in the sample. Submit your sample using the assignment submission tool below.

  • Learning Management Systems (LMS)

    •  Recommended time: 30 minutes

    •  Sub-unit Competency


      What about using a learning management system (LMS) as your authoring platform? This course for example has been authored in Moodle. In this sub-unit we will explore what is involved.

    • Activity 3: Authoring in a Learning Management System

      You are currently learning in an LMS platform called Moodle. How would you define a LMS and what features does it have?

      1. Read the introductory article below entitled, 'What is an LMS?' and also investigate the overview provided by Edutech Wiki.
      1. Access the chat room below, entitled 'Introduction to an LMS' and based on your current Moodle experience on this course discuss pros and cons of authoring in this environment. Also identify what educational institutions in Kenya have implemented the use of e-learning using an LMS platform? Make sure you comment on your colleagues' posts.

  • Tools To Try

  • Conclusion and Summary

    • Facilitator's Feedback

      Once you have completed the readings and activities above access the facilitator's audio feedback that will summarise the salient points of this unit.

  • Attribution

    • Open Education Resources

      The following Open Education Resources (OER) have been adapted to create this unit on Authorung Digital Resources:

      1. MIT Labs. (2014). Scratch.  - Available online here
      2. University of Nottingham. (2014). Xerte Toolkit. GNU Public License - Available online here

      References: The following references are acknowledged:

      1. Khademi, M et al. (2011). A Review On Authoring Tools
      2. Georgouli, K. et al. (2008). A Framework for Adopting LMS to Introduce e-Learning in a Traditional Course. Educational Technology & Society, 11 (2), 227-240.
      3. Bottino,R and Robotti, E. (2007).Transforming classroom teaching and learning through technology: Analysis of a case study
      4. Microsoft. (2014). Fresh Paint. Freeware. Available online here

  • Credits and License

    • This unit was developed by Ms Ivy O'Bonyo and Ms Cecelia Wakahiu. The unit was revised by Andrew Moore

    • Creative Commons License

      All material in this Kenya ICT CFT Course unit is licensed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Kenya under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License with the exception of the resources listed below:

      Khademi, M et al. (2011). A Review On Authoring Tools; 
      Georgouli, K. et al. (2008). A Framework for Adopting LMS to Introduce e-Learning in a Traditional Course. Educational Technology & Society, 11 (2), 227-240; 
      Bottino,R and Robotti, E. (2007).Transforming classroom teaching and learning through technology: Analysis of a case study; 
      Microsoft. (2014). Fresh Paint. Freeware.

      All content not licensed under a Creative Commons license is all rights reserved, and you must request permission from the copyright owner to use this material.

  • Pilot Feedback

    • The KICTCFT course is in its pilot phase. Please provide feedback on your experience of this unit.