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Philip G. Barker.
Author Languages for CAL.
Macmillan. 1987

This book presents a comprehensive treatment of courseware development tools and approaches to the preparation of software for instructional applications of the computer. It will appeal to all those interested and involved in computer assisted learning and computer based training, whether as students and lecturers in universities, polytechnics and colleges, or as software authors and instructors in government, commercial and industrial training centres.

Chapter 1 discusses the basic nature of education in terms of interactive learning and training processes. CAL and CBT are introduced as direct educational applications of the computer, and the need for courseware developed using author languages is outlined.

Chapter 2 provides an outline of courseware authoring and surveys over 60 different facilities.

In chapter 3 the author presents four languages designed specifically to support CRT based interaction: BASIC, PILOT, MICROTEXT and SMALLTALK.

Chapter 4 examines the nature of multi-media CAL and of languages/systems to support this approach to learning and training.

Current applications of CAL/CBT are discussed in chapter 5; these cover a wide area from the office, science and technology to religion.

Chapter 6 describes some of the ongoing research and development in author languages and how this is likely to be influenced by future developments in technology, and the requirements of authors and instructors.