ToolBook

ToolBook. It is a Microsoft Windows-based authoring system originally developed by Asymetrix for creating interactive computer-based training applications and rich content. The software employs a book metaphor, where developers build "pages" within a "book" to create sophisticated multimedia programs. Its powerful scripting language, OpenScript, provided extensive control, making it a dominant platform in the corporate training and educational software sectors for many years.

Overview

The core concept of the software revolves around the metaphor of an electronic book, where content is organized on pages within a book object. Authors place various objects like fields, buttons, and graphics on these pages, and then use the built-in OpenScript language to define their behavior and interactivity. This environment was particularly well-suited for creating simulation-based training, branching scenarios, and complex tutorials. It found significant adoption within large organizations, government agencies like the United States Department of Defense, and universities for developing custom courseware. The output, often published as a standalone executable file, could integrate audio, video, and animation to create immersive learning experiences.

Features

Key capabilities included a powerful, object-oriented scripting language modeled on HyperTalk, which allowed for deep customization and control over every element. The interface featured a graphical WYSIWYG editor for designing pages and a catalog of pre-built objects and templates to accelerate development. It supported the creation of question objects for assessments, including multiple choice, true/false, and drag-and-drop interactions. Later versions added strong support for SCORM and AICC standards, enabling content to be tracked and managed within learning management systems like Moodle and Blackboard. Its ability to interface with databases via ODBC and manipulate external files extended its utility for building knowledge systems beyond simple tutorials.

History

The product was first launched in 1990 by Asymetrix, a company co-founded by Paul Allen after his departure from Microsoft. It quickly became a leading authoring tool, competing with contemporaries like Authorware from Macromedia. In 1999, Asymetrix changed its name to Click2Learn, reflecting a strategic shift towards the growing e-learning market. The tool was further acquired by SumTotal Systems in 2004, a major player in the learning and development software industry. Throughout these corporate transitions, the software maintained a dedicated user base, particularly in sectors requiring high-fidelity, custom training simulations. Its development and sales were eventually discontinued, though legacy content remains in use in many institutions.

Versions

Early versions, such as ToolBook I and ToolBook II, established the core architecture and scripting language. A significant update, ToolBook II Instructor, released in 1995, added enhanced assessment features and templates specifically for trainers. The migration to a 32-bit application came with version 8, improving stability and integration with modern Windows operating systems. Later iterations, including ToolBook 9 and 10, focused on enhancing web deployment capabilities, XML support, and compliance with e-learning standards. The final major version was 10.5, released in 2010, which provided tools for publishing content to Adobe Flash format for delivery via web browsers.

Use in e-learning

This application was instrumental in the early expansion of the corporate e-learning industry, enabling instructional designers to create complex, interactive courses without needing to write code in lower-level languages like C++. It was extensively used to produce training for technical procedures, soft skills, and compliance programs across industries such as finance, healthcare, and telecommunications. Its strength in creating software simulations made it a staple for information technology training. While its prominence has waned with the rise of web-centric authoring tools like Adobe Captivate and Articulate Storyline, a vast library of legacy content built with the platform continues to be maintained and used within many large organizations and the United States Armed Forces.

Category:Authoring systems Category:E-learning Category:Windows software