The "Intelligent tutoring system" research community uses the term authoring system to refer to a computer based system that allows a general group (including non-programmers) to create (or author) content for intelligent tutoring systems. While a few intelligent tutoring systems have been successfully created, they are very costly to construct.
In the development of educational software, an Authoring System is a program that allows a non-programmer to easily create software with programming features. The programming features are built in but hidden behind buttons and other tools, so the author does not need to know how to program. Generally Authoring Systems provide lots of graphics, interaction, and other tools educational software needs.
An authoring system usually includes an authoring language, a programming language built (or extended) with functionality for representing the tutoring system. The functionality offered by the authoring language may be programming functionality for use by programmers or domain representation functionality for use by subject experts. There is overlap between authoring languages with domain representation functionality and domain-specific languages.
While true Authoring Systems, with easy, effective use by a domain area specialist like an English teacher, may be few and far between, many educators can and do use commercial products such as Adobe's Dreamweaver and Flash, and Microsoft's Power Point to create tutorials for their students.
An authoring tool is a software package which developers use to create and package content deliverable to end users.
Though authoring tools have a range of uses, they are commonly used to create e-learning modules. These modules are generally written to conform to some international standard, such as SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) or AICC (CBT) (Aviation Industry CBT Committee).
Distribution of content created with authoring tools also varies. Distribution methods include: web, kiosk, interactive CD-ROM, and executable file.
Since the term is somewhat general, many programs can be considered authoring tools, including Flash, and PowerPoint. However, only a small group of programs specifically include support for e-learning content standards including e2train Composica, Macromedia (Adobe) Authorware, Director, Mohive, Lectora, Composer FX, and iSpring Presenter.