Best eLearning Authoring Tools

What is an eLearning Authoring Tool?

An eLearning authoring tool is specialized software that facilitates the creation of online courses and training materials. These tools offer a range of features for content creation, from simple drag-and-drop functionalities to more advanced features like simulations, quizzes, and SCORM-compliant assessments. They help instructional designers, educators, and organizations to create high-quality, interactive eLearning courses that can be easily integrated with various learning management systems (LMS).

Who Would Use an eLearning Authoring Tool?

• Instructional Designers: Professionals tasked with creating educational content.
• Educators: Teachers and trainers who need to bring their curriculum online.
• Corporate Trainers: Those responsible for onboarding and ongoing employee training.
• eLearning Development Teams: In-house or outsourced teams focused on creating online training courses.

Types of eLearning Authoring Tools

Cloud-based Authoring Tools

• Perfect for: Remote teams and projects that require real-time collaboration.

Standalone Desktop Applications

• Perfect for: Individuals or teams who prefer to work offline or have specific customization needs.

PowerPoint-based Tools

• Perfect for: Those comfortable with PowerPoint and require quick, simple course creation.

Open-Source Tools

• Perfect for: Organizations with technical know-how who prefer customizable, low-cost solutions.

LMS-Embedded Tools

• Perfect for: Organizations already invested in a specific learning management system.

Top 10 Use Cases for eLearning Authoring Tools

1. Corporate Onboarding Programs

Keywords: Onboarding, LMS, SCORM, Training Materials eLearning authoring tools like Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate can streamline the onboarding process by integrating seamlessly with Learning Management Systems (LMS). They support SCORM-compliant modules and provide customizable training materials.

2. Academic Course Development

Keywords: eLearning Courses, Content Creation, Instructional Designers, Online Learning Educational institutions are using eLearning authoring tools to develop high-quality online courses. Instructional designers use advanced features to create a rich learning experience for students.

3. Employee Training

Keywords: Training Content, Assessments, Learning Curve, Training Courses Corporate trainers often use tools like Elucidat and Lectora Online to design training courses. These tools offer assessments and help flatten the learning curve for employees, ensuring effective training.

4. Skill Development Workshops

Keywords: Interactive Elements, Workflows, Adaptive Learning, Simulations For specialized skills training, authoring tools offer interactive elements and simulations. These can be adapted to learner needs, making the workshops more effective.

5. Sales and Marketing Training

Keywords: Course Authoring, Cloud-Based, Real-time, Toolkit Sales and marketing teams benefit from eLearning authoring tools by using cloud-based solutions like Gomo and Toolkit for real-time, collaborative course authoring.

6. Certification Programs

Keywords: Quizzes, Pricing, Learning Platform, SCORM-Compliant Certification programs often require regular quizzes and assessments. Platforms with competitive pricing, like Easygenerator, provide SCORM-compliant quiz formats that integrate with learning platforms.

7. Compliance Training

Keywords: Customizable, Formats, Content Library, HTML5 Compliance training requires customization to adhere to industry standards. Authoring tools offer different formats and a rich content library, with HTML5 support for better responsiveness.

8. Software Tutorials

Keywords: Screen Recordings, User-Friendly Interface, Tutorials, Windows/Mac Tools like iSpring Suite and Articulate Storyline 360 offer screen recording functionality. They have a user-friendly interface and are compatible with both Windows and Mac for creating software tutorials.

9. Mobile Learning Modules

Keywords: Mobile Devices, Web-Based, Interactive Courses, Responsive Design For learners on-the-go, authoring tools offer web-based, mobile-responsive designs. Platforms like Elucidat and Adobe Captivate excel in creating interactive courses optimized for mobile devices.

10. Customer Education

Keywords: eLearning Content, Digital Learning, Asset Library, Multimedia Companies can use eLearning authoring tools to create customer education content. Tools often feature a comprehensive asset library and multimedia options to make the material engaging.

Each of these use cases leverages the best eLearning authoring tools for a particular need, ensuring that learners have an enriching and adaptable learning experience.

How to Choose an eLearning Authoring Tool

1. Determine Your Needs: Assess the types of courses, quizzes, and assessments you’ll be creating.
2. Check Compatibility: Ensure the tool is compatible with your LMS.
3. Evaluate User Interface: Look for a user-friendly interface and intuitive workflows.
4. Review Features: Make sure the tool offers advanced features like simulations, gamification, and multimedia support.
5. Consider Pricing: Compare pricing and see if it aligns with your budget.
6. Read Reviews: Check customer reviews and testimonials.

Top Features to Look for in an eLearning Authoring Tool

In choosing an authoring software, there are a few key features to look for. This is true for any LMSs,or content authoring tools. Users should have access to course templates and the ability to create interactive content.

1. User-Friendly Interface

An intuitive, user-friendly interface is essential for instructional designers and educators who may not be tech-savvy. Tools like Articulate Storyline 360 and iSpring Suite offer ease of use without compromising on functionality.

2. LMS Integration

The ability to integrate seamlessly with various Learning Management Systems (LMS) is vital for course deployment. Tools should be SCORM, AICC, or xAPI compliant to ensure a smooth learning experience.

3. Drag-and-Drop Functionality

This feature simplifies course creation by allowing users to easily move elements, facilitating a quicker development workflow.

4. Real-Time Collaboration

Cloud-based authoring tools like Elucidat and Gomo allow teams to collaborate in real-time, streamlining content creation and course development.

5. Assessment and Quiz Features

Quizzes and assessments are essential for evaluating learners. Most of the best eLearning authoring tools offer various quiz formats and assessment options.

6. Customizable Templates

Pre-built templates save time and help maintain a consistent design across training materials. Customizable options allow for branding and specific content layouts.

7. Adaptive Learning Paths

Adaptive features help tailor courses to individual learner needs, offering a personalized online learning experience.

8. Multimedia Support

High-quality multimedia features like video, audio, and animations are essential for an engaging learning experience. Tools like Adobe Captivate excel in this aspect.

9. Screen Recording

This is particularly useful for software tutorials. Screen recording functionality can capture real-time actions for training courses.

10. Responsiveness and Mobile Support

With the increasing use of mobile devices for online training, responsive design ensures that eLearning content is accessible on all screen sizes.

11. Price-to-Feature Ratio

Pricing is a critical consideration. The tool should offer a good balance between cost and features, whether it’s a standalone software or a subscription-based service.

12. Content Library

An asset library can significantly speed up eLearning development by providing readily available elements like images, icons, and templates.

13. Simulation Capabilities

Simulations offer hands-on experience, which is essential for technical training courses. Lectora and Articulate are known for this feature.

14. Gamification

Gamification elements like badges, points, and leaderboards can make the learning experience more engaging. This is especially popular in corporate onboarding programs.

15. Workflow Automation

Advanced features should allow for automation of repetitive tasks, thus allowing instructional designers to focus more on content quality and less on manual processes.

Choosing an eLearning authoring tool that combines these features will ensure that you can create high-quality, interactive courses that offer a robust learning experience. Whether you’re an individual educator or part of a larger eLearning development team, there’s a tool out there that’s right for you

Top 9 eLearning Authoring Tools

Articulate Storyline 360

• Top 3 Features: Drag-and-drop, SCORM-compliant, interactive elements
• Cost: Starting at $1,299 per year Articulate Storyline 360 offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the eLearning development process.

Adobe Captivate

• Top 3 Features: Responsive design, simulations, advanced features
• Cost: Starting at $1,299 one-time purchase Adobe Captivate is known for its advanced features like virtual reality and responsive design.

iSpring Suite

• Top 3 Features: PowerPoint integration, quizzes, screen recordings
• Cost: Starting at $770 per year iSpring Suite is perfect for those who are comfortable working within the PowerPoint environment.

Elucidat

• Top 3 Features: Cloud-based, real-time collaboration, scalability
• Cost: Custom pricing Elucidat is great for large teams looking to collaborate in real-time.

Lectora

• Top 3 Features: SCORM-compliant, xAPI functionality, Lectora Online option
• Cost: Starting at $2,595 one-time purchase Lectora is a good choice for those who want an SCORM-compliant solution with xAPI support.

Gomo

• Top 3 Features: Cloud-based authoring, mobile-responsive, ease of use
• Cost: Custom pricing Gomo offers the advantage of cloud-based authoring and real-time updates.

Easygenerator

• Top 3 Features: Web-based, drag-and-drop, Tin Can (xAPI) support
• Cost: Starting at $99 per month Easygenerator offers simplicity and the ability to quickly create courses.

Toolkit

• Top 3 Features: Customizable templates, AICC compliance, adaptive learning
• Cost: Custom pricing Toolkit focuses on customization and flexibility, ideal for experienced developers.

Open-source Tool (Example: Adapt)

• Top 3 Features: Open-source, customizable, community support
• Cost: Free, with optional paid support Adapt is an open-source option that gives you complete control over your course development.

FAQs

How do I choose an eLearning authoring tool?

You should consider your specific needs, features, pricing, and compatibility with your existing LMS while choosing an eLearning authoring tool. The ease of use and learning curve are also important factors.

Which of the following is the most popular authoring tool?

Articulate Storyline 360 and Adobe Captivate are among the most popular eLearning authoring tools due to their extensive features and strong reputations.

What is the authoring tool for PowerPoint eLearning?

iSpring Suite is a powerful tool that integrates seamlessly with PowerPoint, allowing for quick and efficient eLearning content creation.

What is the Whatfix authoring tool?

Whatfix is a Digital Adoption Platform that provides in-app guidance and performance support. It’s not a traditional eLearning authoring tool but can be used for real-time, in-app training.

What are the benefits of using a Whatfix eLearning authoring tool?

While Whatfix is not a traditional eLearning authoring tool, its strength lies in real-time support and on-the-job training. It offers in-app guidance, which can be beneficial for immediate task support.

What is the best authoring tool for beginners?

Easygenerator is often recommended for beginners due to its drag-and-drop interface and straightforward design options.

What is the authoring tool for Storyline 360?

The authoring tool for Storyline 360 is Articulate Storyline 360 itself. It is a standalone software that facilitates eLearning course creation.