The way authors maintain and produce their eLearning courses has changed dramatically as technology has advanced. They are now avoiding technologies and programs that rely significantly on programming and necessitate the hiring of a full-time coder.
Choosing the proper writing tool is essential for every subject matter expert, freelance instructional designer, corporate trainer, owner of a training institution, or individual course vendor. Today’s digital market offers a variety of writing tools, each with its unique set of skills. How can you pick the one that best fits your needs while avoiding wasting time and money?
Here are some tips to assist you in selecting the proper authoring tool.
Design, creation, conversion to eLearning format, and delivery of digital training content via a learning management system or the Internet are all made easier using an eLearning authoring tool.
Many considerations go into selecting the best eLearning authoring tool, including:
- Interactive elements for content design and production
- Easy data management
- Content distribution and publishing
- Trainee evaluation
- Up-gradation and support
- Compatibility with mobile learning
- Cost-effectiveness
The two primary categories of authoring tool distinguished based on these characteristics are:
- Cloud-based
- Independent authoring tools
Cloud-based authoring tool
This sort of technology, as the name suggests, allows you to create content that is naturally web-styled. In comparison to traditional software, it also provides more flexibility. Any computer may be used to develop courses. Unless you’ve forgotten your password, you may log in from any device. To utilize these sorts of tools, you don’t need any additional hardware or software specs. A person may utilize their browser to open an application, log in, and begin generating digital content.
When compared to installed solutions, cloud-based technologies have limited capabilities. Although these tools allow you to rapidly create beautifully designed pages, interactions, and assessments.
This solution is perfect for remote teams of writers, designers, and content creators, as well as SMEs that demand collaboration and assessment tools. Furthermore, because the data is all kept in the cloud, you don’t have to worry about losing it.
Web-based or cloud-based eLearning creation tools include Articulate Rise (part of the Articulate 360 package), Elucidat, Gomo Learning, and Lectora Online.
Independent authoring tools
An independent or desktop-based authoring tool is a solution built for eLearning production. It’s comparable to how a graphics editor uses Photoshop. Learning such technologies takes time, therefore you may require some training and programming skills to create custom interactions in some situations.
These tools, on the other hand, offer additional authoring capabilities and customization options. Because of data security, most corporations and organizations utilize an independent writing tool. It also does not need a continuous internet connection.
Desktop-based or independent eLearning creation technologies include Adobe Captivate, Articulate 360, and Lectora Inspire.
Conclusion:
Depending on your eLearning needs, you can use any of the two authoring tools listed above. You may also sign up for a free trial of any tool to give it a try and see if you like it. If the authoring tool is causing you problems and requiring you to deal with technical difficulties instead of generating eLearning material, you should consider switching to another tool.
Start with Adobe Captivate, if you want to create content without spending hours training or reading support forums, learn all of its possibilities right away.
You can develop virtual reality, responsive courses, software simulations, interactive films, and multi-module branching courses with Adobe Captivate. Convert a PowerPoint presentation into an interactive presentation. For template-based writing, you may also utilize ready-to-use slides.