What is an eLearning Authoring Tool?
An eLearning Authoring Tool is a software application for creating interactive online courses without requiring advanced programming skills.
Way of learning needs leads to creating various authoring tools to meet the learner requirements and the training models.
Many top authoring tools offer unique features, capabilities, and strengths for online learning and content creation.
Here are the best authoring tools for rapid eLearning development.
iSpring Suite:
iSpring is one of the rapid elearning authoring tools which is integrated with Quizmaker, Dialogue simulations, Interactive Templates, screencasts, etc.
Even a novice can create an intuitive course with these features in iSPring toolkit. These courses are independent of the device and hence the user can access these courses in any device.
As it is embedded in PowerPoint, you can easily convert PowerPoint presentations into an eLearning course.
The output is compliance with LMS standards – SCORM, AICC and xAPI.
1. Interactive eLearning courses can be developed without any loss of animations, triggers, embedded video/audio, etc. when converted from PowerPoint.
2. Content that is published over the internet, can be accessed on any device with iSpring play app available in App Store and Google Play.
3. What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) interface helps you to create quizzes with ease.
4. This tool is available only for windows operating system.
5. Limited editing options when compared to competitors.
6. PowerPoint is a must to create a course.
Articulate Storyline 360:
Articulate Storyline is a collective package authoring tool that builds highly interactive, engaging, and customized eLearning courses that support almost any mobile device. Free high-quality assets like images, videos, audios, characters, and templates can be used from the library. It provides the best viewing experience on tablets and mobile devices through its responsive player. There are 20 different question type interactions. The courses can be published for HTML5 and Flash output.
1. Support touch screen gestures
2. Rich features and numerous interactions with customization
3. Need to invest time to master the tool
4. Supports only Windows operating system
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Articulate Rise:
1. With internet connectivity, learners can access the content anywhere since it is a web-based application.
2. Can create customized interactive lessons with pre-built lesson blocks and custom lesson blocks.
3. Supports both Windows and MAC operating systems.
4. Can create only lightweight courses.
Adobe Captivate:
Adobe Captivate, one of the most powerful eLearning authoring tool creates fully responsive courses with its in-built screen capturing feature. Software simulation at its best, allowing you to record and edit from within the application.
1. Interactions can be made besides complexity.
2. Most suitable for screen recording and software simulation.
3. No user intervention to design a course for a wide variety of platforms.
4. Limited animation effects when compared with other competitors.
5. Interactions don’t support fully on mobile devices.
Adobe Captivate 17:
1. Responsive design through the use of fluid boxes.
2. Single-click to convert legacy course as a responsive course.
3. Typekit integration to get access to Adobe font family.
4. Customized closed captioning.
5. Needs the training to master the tool.
Adobe Captivate 2019:
1. Virtual Reality Experience Learning.
2. Automatic Device Preview.
3. Fluid Boxes 2.0.
4. 360⁰ Learning Experiences.
5. Live Device Preview for VR.
6. Interactive Videos with Overlay Slides.
7. Smart Video Recording with Automatic Chroma Key Effects.
8. PowerPoint to eLearning conversion with Ease.
9. CSV Question Import Template.
| ADOBE FLASH COURSES TO HTML5 CONVERSION |
| Convert your Flash based legacy e-learning courses to HTML5 responsive courses.
Learn more about our Adobe Flash Courses To Html5 Conversion. |
| Are you planning to migrate your training material into online courses? |
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Lectora Inspire:
Lectora Inspire is one of the oldest desktop-based authoring tools which creates magnificent eLearning courses with greater flexibility.
Its responsive design makes the content to automatically fit in all types of platforms.
It allows you to create audio-synced content with a richer look and feel and custom functionality.
Lectora Inspire 16:
1. Mobile learning courses developed at its ease.
2. The interface is very complex compare to the other authoring tools.
3. Budget constraints arise if not potentially used.
Lectora Inspire 17:
1. Course compliance standards SCORM, HTML, and xAPI.
2. Interactivity courses comply with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and 508 standards.
3. Well trained developers with programming skills are required to create courses.
| CUSTOM ELEARNING CONTENT DEVELOPMENT |
| Develop custom eLearning solutions based on modern instructional design.
Learn more about our Custom Elearning Content Development. |
Verdict:
All the eLearning authoring tools mentioned above have their own benefits and limitations but you have to ideally evaluate every tool and pick up the most suitable tool that makes your online courses at ease.
Also, you need to be cautious about the software whether it serves you with better customer support.
| Technical Support Center |
| If you need help in developing fully customized elearning courses then get in touch with us. |
| CONVERSION OF LEGACY TRAINING MATERIAL TO ELEARNING |
| Converting legacy training material to eLearning involves the process of transforming traditional, non-digital training resources, such as printed manuals, presentations, or instructor-led courses, into digital formats that can be accessed and delivered online.
Learn more about our Legacy Content Conversion. |
| CUSTOM ELEARNING CONTENT DEVELOPMENT |
| Custom eLearning content development refers to the creation of bespoke digital learning materials tailored to meet specific training objectives, organizational needs, and learner requirements.
Learn more about our Custom Elearning Content Development. |
| ADOBE FLASH COURSES TO HTML5 CONVERSION |
| Converting Adobe Flash courses to HTML5 involves transforming existing eLearning content created using Adobe Flash into the HTML5 format. HTML5 is a more modern and widely supported standard for delivering multimedia content on the web.
Learn more about our Converting Adobe Flash Courses To Html5. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1. Which authoring tools are considered the best for rapid eLearning development?
A. Popular choices include Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, and Lectora, known for their efficiency, versatility, and comprehensive features.
Q2. Are the Authoring tools suitable for beginners in eLearning development?
A. Yes, many of these tools are designed with user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible for beginners while offering advanced features for experienced developers.
Q3. Is there a significant cost difference among these authoring tools?
A. Costs vary, but many tools offer different pricing plans to accommodate various budgets. Some tools may have free trial versions for exploration.
Q4. How do I choose the right authoring tool for my specific needs?
A. Consider your project requirements, budget, and the features that align with your content creation goals. Explore trial versions and user reviews for informed decisions.
Q5. Can I use these authoring tools for corporate training or educational purposes?
A. Yes, these tools are versatile and widely used for corporate training, educational courses, and a range of eLearning initiatives.
Q6. Do these authoring tools offer customer support and updates?
A. Yes, reputable authoring tool providers usually offer customer support, regular updates, and a community where users can exchange tips and insights.
Q7. What features should I look for in the best authoring tools for rapid eLearning development?
A. Consider user-friendly interfaces, templates, multimedia support, collaboration features, and compatibility with various learning management systems.
Gamification and Virtual Reality Being a Trend Setter in eLearning
I prefer iSpring Suite
That’s great to hear your preference for iSpring Suite! It’s an excellent choice for eLearning content creation.
Good Comparison.
In terms of VR, immersive learning, creating mobile responsive courses with Geotagging, integration with photoshop and multiple other video based features, Adobe Captivate 2019 is the best. It can take some time in mastering the tool but once that is done, it can be a highly customizable tool.
Thank you for your valuable input! It’s great to know that Adobe Captivate 2019 stands out in VR. Your insights are valuable for those considering their eLearning tool options.
Responsiveness is really important for elearning. If you see Captivate 2019, the fluid boxes have been enhanced even more. The Fluid Boxes can be resized by using a percentage or to the number of pixels. The enhanced fluid boxes auto aligns to devices or browsers. You can use the predefined options as well. The UI and UX is neat because it enables auto align and auto adjust. The number of options for mobile, ipad, desktop and web applications etc is more and can be customised to the area too. In tools like storyline, it has just 3 options and it is very limiting in terms of the range of devices used for eLearning.
You’re absolutely right! Responsiveness is vital in eLearning, and the enhancements to Fluid Boxes in Captivate 2019 make it a standout choice for accommodating the diverse range of devices used in eLearning. Thanks for sharing this valuable insight!
This article is a lifesaver! I was overwhelmed by the number of eLearning authoring tools out there. Your comparison makes it so much easier to make an informed decision. Thank you for sharing your insights through your blog post.
Thank you for your kind words! We’re glad to hear that our eLearning authoring tools comparison was helpful to you.
I’m so grateful I found this article on eLearning authoring tools. It’s been a challenge to navigate through the numerous options available, but this breakdown has made my decision-making process much easier. Thanks for sharing this informative piece!