1. An apparatus that is a system for automated creation, update, distribution, acquisition, and use of learning tools, comprising one or more tables or databases of unique identifier containers for data elements or linked sets of data elements, each said unique identifier container comprising a unique identifier, a reference to a data element or references to a linked set of data elements, a hash code for each reference, and classification information, one or more learning tools that each comprise presentation and data structures, data, references, and unique identifier containers, said learning tool or tools residing in a computer-readable memory, learning tool descriptors for each learning tool wherein each said learning tool descriptor comprises a description of the learning tool, information and instructions on locating and downloading the learning tool and any associated files, verification information, and version information, one or more learning tool engines comprising a computing device, user interface components, computer-readable memory, and computer instructions, said one or more learning tool engines providing user interaction as well as learning tool operation and update, comprising acquisition, use in both single user and multi-user sessions, creation, editing, and automated updating based on references to data elements, one or more builders comprising a computing device or set of computing devices that create and update learning tools, either manually, in response to user input, or automatically, one or more swarms, each comprising a server computer or set of server computers that respond to requests from learning tool engines, said swarm or swarms managing learning tool descriptors, facilitating communication between users of learning tools, and distributing learning tools and updates to said learning tools, one or more databases of learning tool descriptors, said learning tool descriptors stored on computer-readable media, accessed by a computer server or servers in response to requests from learning tool engines, builders, and swarms.