Whether you are a Learning and Development professional in an organisation, an instructional designer or a freelance facilitator choosing a new software can often feel far more difficult than it should be. In this article, I have tried to cover the essential facts about eLearning authoring tools you need to know before you make a decision.
What is an eLearning tool?
An eLearning authoring tool is a type of software that allows you to create digital training content, convert it into an eLearning format, and distribute it among learners via a learning management system, or on the web.
Digital training content includes, but isn’t limited to, e-courses, video lectures, assessments, and simulations. Some tools have a narrow focus, for example, only creating quizzes. However, in most cases, it’s more accurate to say that “an authoring tool” is a set of tools under one roof that covers most of the tasks a learning content creator could possibly need to deal with.
A user does not actually need much technical programming expertise to utilize the software.
Instead, eLearning authoring tools are generally pre-programmed and offer a ready-to-use interface complete with templates, media, tools, interactions, and tests that the user can easily arrange and manipulate.
How do authoring tools work?
No two content authoring tools are alike. Created by different software companies, there are a wide variety of program options that cater to different eLearning needs.
Some programs are geared towards non-specialists who require rapid eLearning development and just want to utilize pre-made templates for simple content, interactions and quizzes, while other programs are geared towards specialists who want to develop highly customized content, such as adaptive learning experiences, simulations or custom gamification.
Despite the variation available in features and functionality; authoring tools all perform the same overall function: they create eLearning courses for an end-user audience by way of content creation and content organization.
Which is the best authoring tool for you?
I think you already know the answer to that…it depends! The best authoring tool for you will depend on a range of factors, including:
- Your technical expertise
- Whether you want simple or more sophisticated learning experiences
- How much elearning content you need to produce and manage
- Your translation requirements
- If you are a sole author or work with a wider team
- Your budget
- …the list goes on!
In this comparison I will review four of the best elearning authoring tools and share my experience on each in respect to the:
- Ease of use
- Quality of elearning output
- Speed and efficiency of authoring
- Scaling up of production
List of tools we will be reviewing:
- Adobe Captivate – Gives experienced authors the power to create high-quality content
- Articulate Storyline – Ideal for individuals who prefer PowerPoint, with an added layer of customization
- Articulate Rise – Users with access to Articulate 360 can produce simple eLearning courses fairly quickly
- iSpring Suite – Desktop PowerPoint-based tool that’s a great option for novice learning designers who don’t have to worry about updating content regularly
Adobe Captivate
Captivate is a desktop application available for both Windows and Mac. It’s one of the most powerful eLearning authoring tools I have ever used, but it also comes with a steeper learning curve and its own set of challenges.
Quality of elearning output
Experienced authors can create learning content using customization options from the (relatively limited) themes available. The themes are similar to PowerPoint, with color palettes and slide masters defining the look and feel.
Captivate’s built-in screen recording allows you to create good quality systems demos. Complex interactions, mobile gestures and geo-location features are all possible and can contribute to a high-quality experience, but the options for personalized learning are limited.
The 2019 release improved the ability to create responsive designs for multiple devices using “Fluid Boxes.”
While elearning content can be viewed on multiple device types; design decisions can’t be made on a per device basis, so content isn’t truly mobile responsive.
Speed and efficiency of authoring
Captivate’s steep learning curve means significant training and ramp-up time is needed for new authors. Simple content is relatively quick to produce, but if you’re using more advanced interactions, be prepared to put in some hours.
Being desktop-based, the sharing, reviewing and updating process can be painful and time-consuming. Any changes after launch require new files to be uploaded to the LMS, which takes time and effort.
Scalability
Because Captivate is a desktop authoring application, it’s not set up for working collaboratively and consistently at scale. Themes and master slides can be shared to installations on other computers, but the process is manual and can be tricky. The same applies to asset management; each desktop user is “on their own”, even if they are working on the same project, when it comes to creating content and assets.
Supported eLearning formats
Captivate is a powerful SCORM eLearning software. Previously a desktop-based tool for windows, a 2019 update saw two major updates: some tool aspects were brought online and Mac users could finally access the software.
Captivate authoring tool supports a wide range of formats:
- HTML5, SCORM, AICC, xAPI (TinCan)
- Windows, Mac OS
Articulate Storyline
Articulate Storyline is a Windows desktop authoring application that leverages a PowerPoint look and feel. It has a modest learning curve considering the flexibility that it offers—especially if you already know your way around PowerPoint.
Quality of eLearning output
If you’ve got the skills and competencies, Storyline allows you to author highly customized and engaging content. Like Powerpoint, you can control theme pages via project colors and slide masters. This makes it very flexible, but a bit tricky to control consistent branding over multiple courses and Storyline installations in different systems.
Speed and efficiency of authoring
Articulate Storyline is a complex tool, so where organizations don’t invest the time in training, authoring efficiency can be limited. As one of the most widely used eLearning authoring tools, however, many designers will have experience with Storyline already.
As a desktop-based tool, collaboration and review can hamper efficiency in the production process compared to cloud-based authoring tools. And once projects are launched, it can be time-consuming to update eLearning content or fix bugs.
Scalability
As a desktop-based tool, collaboration, and therefore scalability, is limited. It’s tricky to share courses with others for reuse, and assets aren’t housed centrally like in a cloud platform.
Supported elearning formats
Articulate is one of the oldest, and most widely used windows-based elearning authoring tools. Articulate’s primary SCORM compliant authoring tool, Articulate Storyline, is a powerful windows-based application that supports most elearning formats:
- AICC, SCORM, xAPI (TinCan)
- Windows
Articulate Rise
Articulate Rise is a web-based authoring tool included as part of an Articulate 360 update released around the end of 2016. There are a range of prebuilt lesson types, custom learning called “blocks,” interactions, and screencasts to create a range of courses.
Quality of elearning output
Rise is really easy to use with an intuitive interface and provides a range of pre-built, standard interactions, including timelines, processes, labeled graphics, etc. This makes it easy to create interactive content that looks good.
However, there isn’t much flexibility to differentiate one of your Rise courses from another – or from anyone else’s, if you really have a need to create uniquely looking content. The flexibility and range of customization are much more limited than Storyline. So if you’re looking to create something more innovative or sophisticated, Rise may not be the best authoring tool for you.
Speed and Efficiency of Authoring
If you’re looking to create relatively basic, good-looking elearning content, then you can do so quickly in Rise. You don’t need to be an experienced author and can get up and running to create courses by following a sequence of logical steps.
As a cloud-based authoring tool, it is possible to have authors collaborating and always working on the latest version of the content. Your stakeholders can log in and add review comments, which speeds up processes that are slow with tools like Articulate and Storyline.
Scalability
Elearning courses can be cloned and reused to save time when working at scale.
Supported elearning formats
Rise, an online-based authoring software, is part of Ariculate’s 360 authoring platform. Giving Mac users to option to use Articulate to create simple SCORM compliant courses.
Supports:
- AICC, SCORM, xAPI (TinCan)
- Windows, Mac OS
iSpring Suite
iSpring Suite is a PowerPoint-based authoring toolkit that allows users to create slide-based courses, quizzes, dialog simulations, screencasts, video lectures, and other interactive learning materials. The output courses are published in HTML5. With a reasonably low learning curve (if you know your way around PowerPoint!). Users can easily start creating simple courses, however with complex courses the overall process can be slow.
Quality of elearning output
Chances are you’ve created a Powerpoint presentation before, so the quality output of iSpring courses won’t come as a surprise. Slide-based courses can be adapted and repurposed into more engaging, customized courses. The end result looks clean and professional, but it still has that PPt feel!
iSpring Suite offers a range of 14 question types, with the ability to create interactive dialog simulations with branching scenarios. There’s even a library of eLearning assets to pick from, which includes course templates, characters, and more. With that in mind, the level of interactivity and customization is hindered due to PowerPoint integration.
Speed and Efficiency of Authoring
For established Ppt authors, iSpring Suite should have a pretty small learning curve. Allowing the creation of basic, responsive elearning courses quickly and easily. Being connected directly to the cloud, courses can be uploaded directly online, or saved locally. Although, as I mentioned before, as you progress further within the tool issues may arise that can hinder production time.
Lack of collaboration makes it difficult for teams to be efficient, and with PowerPoint being a prominently Microsoft based software, Mac users can feel left out. Storing and sending files locally can back the production process complex, making the online upload option the most viable choice.
Scalability
Learning paths can be created, saved and reused in iSpring for quick access. Completed courses can then be uploaded directly into the cloud for learners to access online, or offline! Courses can be launched through a Learning Management System, or iSpring’s own LMS.
Courses can be copied and reused, but have no direct links, which can make updating courses at scale an issue. Branding and color options also can’t be saved locally, so if you have strict brand standards make sure each of your team members have the right settings!
Supported elearning formats
iSpring is a desktop-based authoring tool, with some online functionality. It is primarily a windows-based elearning software – you can import your PowerPoint and create SCORM compliant, HTML5 content.
Supports:
- HTML5, Video, SCORM, xAPI (TinCan), cmi5
- Windows
Conclusion
There’s a lot of overlap in the functionality of the best elearning authoring tools reviewed here, but your requirements – such as the quality and scale at which you want to produce digital learning – will narrow down your shortlist. Ultimately, which is the best elearning software for you and your team will depend on your needs.
We will be happy to help you create interesting self-learning content for your organisation. Email us at admin@itrainconsultants for a free sample.
My last tip, when in doubt, try it out! If the authoring tool has a free trial, make the most of it. It’s the best way to find the ideal authoring tool for your content.
Author: Vishal Punetha
Corporate Training Consultant
I Train Consultants India Pvt. Ltd.
