Top 6 eLearning Authoring Tools to Convert PPT to eLearning [Infographic]

Technology has changed and training skills are being transformed in this rapidly changing world. Online training continues to play a vital role in upskilling and reskilling employees. And organizations are looking for ways to make their online training more engaging and effective.

And a good place to start online training is the PowerPoint decks used in the classroom. They can be converted to eLearning using eLearning authoring tools – if they are instructionally sound. Let’s explore how.

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Best eLearning Authoring Tools that Enable ILT to eLearning Conversion

• Articulate Storyline 360
• Articulate Studio
• iSpring
• Adobe Captivate
• Lectora
• Adobe Presenter

What are the Best eLearning Authoring Tools that Enable ILT to eLearning Conversion — Top 6 Picks

1. Articulate Storyline 360

The interface of Articulate Storyline 360 is more like that of a PowerPoint presentation. So, it can be used to convert your PowerPoint presentations into engaging, effective, and interactive modules in no time. Its Section 508 feature enables courses to be also accessed by employees with disabilities.

Convert your PPT to eLearning with these 3 simple steps.

1. Import: Open the Import option from the Home/File tab (or using the Import PowerPoint option) and import the PowerPoint deck to the Storyline file.
2. Browse: Browse the file from the location you want to import and click open.
3. Publish: As the PowerPoint moves in sequence with the default trigger to the next slide, adjust actions as per your requirements and publish the file.

2. Articulate Studio

Articulate Studio is one of the easiest eLearning authoring tools to work with. It is more like a PPT presentation, and works as a plugin to PowerPoint.

Here are the steps to operate this tool:

• Open the presentation.
• Click on the Articulate plugin on the top right.
• The deck opens in Articulate Studio.
• Personalize the presentation with the help of inbuilt features – Engage and Quizmaker.

Engage provides 20 interesting activities to choose from to make your eLearning engaging. They include:

• Accordion
• Bulletin
• Checklist
• FAQs
• Tab
• Timeline

Quiz Maker includes single and multiple-choice questions and matching activities. Add these activities in summative and formative assessments to test learners.

Here’s an insightful infographic about eLearning assessments

3. iSpring

PowerPoint presentations are usually the main format and source for internal training. iSpring would be a good choice to convert your PPT presentations to eLearning as it is a budget-friendly tool which also saves time. iSpring is an additional plugin for PowerPoint.

It can add readymade voiceovers, characters, and videos to the presentation and make your plain presentation visually rich. The PowerPoint published in iSpring is responsive and compatible with all the devices.

iSpring has 14 in-built question types to choose from to add to your courses. These quizzes not only add fun to the course but can also be used to track learners’ progress.

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4. Adobe Captivate

The authoring tool Adobe Captivate is used to create eLearning demonstrations, software simulations, and branching scenarios in a very short time.

A good tool to be used for topics that need detailed explanations, it is also one of the best options to create interesting eLearning content from the presentations used to train employees.

An interesting feature of the tool is that it has in-built questions and engaging interactivities. You can add quiz questions to the eLearning with a few clicks. It also helps track learning using the quiz results.

Adobe Captivate Prime LMS is one of the options added to the tool, that enables learners to access courses across devices if it is published to Prime LMS.

Here’s an interesting video highlighting the features of Adobe Captivate for creating effective eLearning courses.

5. Lectora

Lectora is an offline and onlinecloud-based authoring tool, very useful for trainers to design and develop eLearning courses.

Using the ‘Import PowerPoint’ option, you can browse the deck from its location, and publish the PowerPoint to eLearning.

The Lectora library includes images, videos, templates, and sound clips that can be accessed and added to theeLearning course. These inbuilt elements and interactivities help develop scenarios/webinars and learning content visually rich and enhance the learning.

Lectora also has an administrative dashboard. The dashboard helps users assign projects to their reviewers and send request notifications to team members. This also streamlines the reviewing and approval processes.

6. Adobe Presenter

Adobe Presenter is one of Microsoft PowerPoint plugins, and one of the best and most developer-friendly authoring tools to convert PPTs to eLearning. It mainly aims to help training managers build presentations and create effective courses to train their learners.

Live presentations can be converted into eLearning modules. Easy and simple triggers help create branching scenarios.

A Parting Note

Authoring tools for eLearning speed up the process of eLearning development, and the choice of eLearning authoring tool depends on specific eLearning requirements.

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Editor's note: This post was originally published on February 11, 2022 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.