Knowledge Base

What's new in Instructor 7.1?

Article: P2648

What's new in ToolBook II Instructor 7.1

The following is a list of new and enhanced features available in ToolBook II Instructor 7.1.

Actions Editor - This visual programming tool allows developers to create action sequences to add functionality that can be exported to DHTML. It is an easy-to-use, flexible alternative to writing OpenScript or JavaScript (see the Slide Tile game sample on our showcase).

DHTML runtime Engine - Authors will have the ability to convert their applications to DHTML for delivery to 4.x and higher browsers, with a significant increase in the functionality available.

The upgraded features available are:
- the ability to add custom programmatic functionality using the Actions
Editor, and deploy that functionality in the new DHTML runtime
- almost 40 new or modified object types
- 14 question types, all with automatic grading and all of which can be
deployed in the new DHTML/JavaScript runtime:
- Fill in the blank
- Hotword fill-in-the-blank
- Multiple choice buttons
- Multiple choice fields
- Multiple choice ratings
- True/False
- Definable multiple choice
- Definable arrange objects
- Drag objects
- Drop targets
- Definable drop targets
- Match item fields
- Definable match items
- Slider position

- path animation
- page transitions (Internet Explorer only)
- faster download times
- faster performance within the browser

ToolBook II Web Specialist - This wizard prompts you through all the steps of deployment, including creating separate browser specific versions. The Web Specialist supports the new DHTML export, 3.0 browser export, Neuron export and automatic deployment to Librarian or to a Web server.

AICC Compliance - The Internet runtime will support connecting to AICC compliant servers.

Smart Launch - When a DHTML course is launched in a browser, this new feature checks the user's browser version and automatically deploys the correct course.

Specialists - The Full Specialist, the Quick Specialist and the Lesson Design Specialist are wizards that automate the task of creating a layout for an online learning application. The Lesson Design Specialist actually incorporates some basic instructional design methodology into the process of creating applications.

Universal Media Player - Now a single object has built-in support for most modern media types. This new Catalog object provides support for all of the standard media formats (AVI, WAV, MIDI) and the media formats supported by the new Windows Media Player (Windows streaming media, MPEG video, QuickTime video, MP3 audio, and others). The RealNetworks RealPlayer G2 (all RealMedia formats, SMIL), the Macromedia Flash Player, and other media file formats are supported.

Auto-update web objects - New objects, both for text and graphics, have been added to the Catalog. On the Internet, these objects can automatically check a source file to see if the current content on a Web page needs updating.

Automation (formerly called 'OLE Automation') support - Using OpenScript, ToolBook applications can interact with other Windows applications that are Automation servers, such as Word and Excel.

ADO Support - Through Automation, Instructor 7 can leverage Microsoft's ADO technology for accessing and manipulating a wide selection of databases, including Microsoft Access and remote data sources.

New Catalogs - A new Media Catalog and a Page Styles Catalog are included.

ActiveX Properties - The right-click menu has been enhanced to provide support for accessing the extended properties of any object, including ActiveX controls.

Script Editor - The right-click menus have been enhanced to include cut, copy, and paste. The accelerator keys have been modified to support the new Windows standard of CTRL+X, CTRL+C, and CTRL+V.

New templates - The current set of templates has been supplemented with new designs and page types using the same themes as Assistant.

Internet-enabled books - ToolBook files can be opened directly on the Internet.

XML - ToolBook II Instructor now exports to an intermediate XML file in the process of translating applications for delivery on the Web. This XML file insures forward compatibility with new Web delivery languages and browser enhancements by separating the content of the application from the programming-language specific implementation of the application.

OPENSCRIPT NOTICE The OpenScript programming examples found in many articles may need modification in order to work in ToolBook 9.0 or higher, particularly if the article was written for an older version of ToolBook. To learn more, click here.

Provide Anonymous Feedback About This Article

Are you interested in providing feedback to SumTotal about this article? Yes