Introduction
The eXe project was conceived to address the use of technology in the design and authoring of learning resources for the web. Initial research showed that while there are many web authoring tools available their usability and sophistication varied considerably. We identified the need for a tool to specifically assist teachers and academics to publish professional looking web pages according to the structure and form required for good teaching, and in such a way that this content could be integrated with existing LMS applications.
The eXe project proposal was awarded development funding from the Tertiary Education Commission of New Zealand in 2004. Essentially the eXe project looks to build a simple to use editing environment whose architecture is pedagogically robust thereby adding value to existing learning systems. At the end of 2007 CORE Education hired two of the project developers to enable them to continue eXe development, with particular attention to the compulsory school sector.
For a more general overview of what the eXe project is about take a look at the eXe Pamphlets (other languages available).
An Open Source Development
The eXe project aimed to foster collaborative development involving a representative group drawn from the New Zealand tertiary sector. Strategic direction and feature development have essentially been guided by this group. The decision to develop eXe as an Open Source initiative offered the development a number of benefits. A major benefit with taking this decision has been the ability to tap into the extensive global developer community which is constantly driving the development of new technologies.
Releasing developments frequently through the Eduforge development project site has seen serious interest generated from the wider global elearning development community who have keenly tested and offered support and advice on the software throughout its development to date.
eXe Technology
eXe is primarily written in the Python programming language and is based upon the open source web browser, Firefox.
eXe has developed around formal elements we call instructional devices or iDevices. iDevices include a range of pedagogical forms e.g. objectives, advance organizers, and learning activities which constitute the equivalent of the 'teacher talk' in content resources designed for online learning.