Abstract  
eXe is a simple programme that lets authors create sequences of interactive learning activities without using HTML or XML. eXe is open source, free, and easy to use. It offers a choice of learning activities (tools) that teachers can select, populate and sequence to create a learning session. Resources authored in eXe can be exported as IMS Content Package, SCORM 1.2, IMS Common Cartridge, iPOD Notes or as simple self-contained web pages. 
 
Introduction
eXe was developed as an open source project in New Zealand to provide an e-learning environment and community platform that would allow academics and teachers, possibly with minimal technical expertise, a straightforward way to create and publish web content without having to learn HTML or XML. The aim of this development was to fill a gap in e-learning technologies whilst building on combined experiences of Educational Modelling Languages, web log publishing technologies and the semantic web. In some ways eXe bridges the gap between the rigid pedagogy behind CBT and LAMS and the flexibility offered by web 2.0. eXe gives ordinary academics a tool that allows them to create sequences of interactive web learning with images, that may link to external references or resources. eXe is both versatile and flexible, it can be used to create web sites, VLE or mobile resources.
 
eXe is a welcome addition of freely available tools available to the community as, with imagination, it is possible to create rich learning materials. An added advantage of using eXe to create teaching materials, is that it presents the user with the need to think about their materials as a sequence of activities. It is possible to build a rich interactive learning session using the range of inbuilt tools eXe provides. An unexpected benefit of eXe is that it forces teachers to consider and sequence learning activities, making the learning design more transparent. It allows branching; for example after a quiz those students with poor scores can be returned to revision materials.
 
eXe provides the teacher with both a range of activities to choose and present as a sequence to create a tutorial. A tutorial might, for example, start with objectives and pre-knowledge; followed by reading activities, links to external web pages, articles (which are presented inside the tutorial window), or Wikipedia. Opportunities for formative assessment include SCORM quiz, multiple choice, multiple-select, Cloze (fill in the gap). The tools are well thought out and easy to use.
 
Most users will need to download eXe, install and run it from their local computer (Windows, Mac, Linux). There is an iPod notes export for mobile learners.

The advantages of eXe are:  

• it provides a collection of tools to create sequences of on-line learning activities;
• activities can be arranged in any order and sequences can be branched;
• simple editing dialogue that allows clean paste from Word;
• it can display equations and images, without needing to use HTML or web authoring tools;
• easy linkage to external websites;
• easy creation of simple Multiple Choices Questions (MCQs) and quizzes;
• choice of a range of available stylesheets (appearances);
• exporting of materials as HTML files for use in a VLE.

Setting-up eXe on your local computer:
eXe is open source and can be freely downloaded from:
www.exelearning.org/FrontPage
 
It is installed on and runs from your local hard drive (Mac, Windows or Linux). Simply follow the instructions on the screen (Figure 1).
 

 
Figure 1: eXe home page

Creating content with eXe

Creating teaching materials is pretty intuitive and can help teachers to think about how they may sequence learning activities to create a useful tutorial. The lower left hand window offers a range of types of activities which can be organised to create a coherent learning experience (Table 1). A learning resource is made of a sequence of related activities. For example, you might wish to explain the “Objectives” of the resource, before testing basic understanding with a “Pre-knowledge” test before moving to a “Case Study”…. ending perhaps with a self-assessment “SCORM Quiz”.