Learning managers vouch for rapid eLearning authoring tools – all thanks to the numerous resources they provide for rapid and cost-effective eLearning development. But how do you select the right tool? This article can guide you.
Rapid eLearning authoring tools play a huge role in the development of engaging and efficient eLearning solutions. These tools offer technical prowess to the development process. The tools are also responsible for:
- Cutting down the time required for eLearning development
- Simplifying the process of updating or improving the existing eLearning solutions
- Revamping the legacy courses by using in-built templates
- Boosting learner engagement and improving course completion rates
- Publishing eLearning courses that match the latest technical standards
Using an authoring tool is a must to design and develop eLearning courses. But how to choose the right rapid eLearning authoring tools? What are the considerations to be made?
Choosing a Rapid Authoring Tool for Your eLearning Development?
Here are Some Considerations to Make:
- Experience and Expertise of Your eLearning Development Team
- User-Friendly Interface
- Support for Online Collaboration Tools
- A Rich Multimedia Asset Library
Read on to know more…
We have curated a list for you –
8 Considerations to be Made When Choosing an eLearning Authoring Tool
Experience and Expertise of Your eLearning Development Team
This is one of the first considerations you should be making on the journey to choosing the right rapid eLearning authoring tools for your eLearning development. You will have to decide on how your eLearning authoring tool will be hosted. Do you prefer a desktop solution or would you prefer a cloud-based solution such as Articulate Rise 360 that can be accessed anywhere, anytime? The best way to choose the model is to take your training needs and expectations, and the expertise of your eLearning developers into consideration and select the deployment option accordingly. By doing so, you can also tick off the compatibility issues that may show up later on.
User-Friendly Interface
Another important consideration to be made when choosing a rapid eLearning authoring tool is its usability. Your eLearning development team should find the tool easy to work with, even if they aren’t pros with technology. At the same time, the tool should not take up a lot of their time. So, choose a rapid eLearning authoring tool that has an easy-to-navigate, intuitive User Interface. For instance, the authoring tool Articulate Storyline 360 offers drag-and-drop feature for adding images and other objects would save a lot of time and effort for the eLearning developers.
Support for Online Collaboration Tools
Online collaboration tools add a human element to eLearning journeys. This is quite helpful, especially when the learners belong to remote locations. With eLearning collaboration tools such as dashboards, discussion boards, forums, social sharing, etc, it is possible to post, share and edit eLearning modules with every stakeholder involved in the eLearning experience. Considering this, you should consider choosing an authoring tool with built-in online collaborative tools so you can maximize impact in your virtual classrooms.
Discover more ways to maximize impact in your virtual classroom
A Rich Multimedia Asset Library
Rich media assets serve as the key elements that keep modern learners engaged and motivated to complete the training imparted. Online media assets such as images, audio, video, game elements, voiceovers, etc. make the eLearning journey more engaging. While some rapid eLearning authoring tools come with a huge repository of multimedia assets, some have limited options. So, one important consideration is that you should look for an eLearning authoring tool such as iSpring Suite offer and supports a wide variety of multimedia assets.
Customization/ Personalization
Most organizations today prefer customized eLearning solutions which are in line with their brand. From including their brand logo to customizing the features panel, layout, and even the color palette, organizations prefer platforms that give them the ability to tailor their solutions according to their preferences. So, this should also be a primary priority. Because not all rapid eLearning authoring tools provide comprehensive customizability, list out the customizability you are looking for and choose the tool that suits your preference. If customization is your top priority, then you should definitely opt for authoring tools such as Gomo or Storyline 360.
Vendor Support
Support is yet another important thing you should consider when choosing an eLearning authoring tool. You will have to opt for the vendor who will offer you the maximum support. Some vendors might offer FAQs and tutorials and provide support during working hours. On the other hand, some vendors offer 24/7 support and may also have a live chat option along with email support and assistance over call. Look for all these options and opt for the vendor you feel is best for your support requirements.
Reporting Capabilities
Reporting is usually a task handled by the Learning Management Systems (LMS). However, there are a few rapid eLearning authoring tools that include LMS statistics and reporting. By employing these authoring tools, you can monitor employee participation, performance, and engagement. You can then determine your eLearning course design’s overall effectiveness and its potential for improvement.
Training Assessment Tools
Training assessments are also an important part of eLearning solutions and rapid eLearning authoring tools that provide robust assessment tools help in creating impactful corporate training solutions. Online training assessment tools can include quizzes, scenarios and response possibilities, grading options, etc. such assessment options can make learner evaluations simpler, save time in building the assessments, and help identify the areas where learners may have some difficulty. Considering all this, you should pay close attention to your online training assessment needs and the tools offered. Elucidat serves as an excellent option for training assessments tools.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right eLearning authoring tool can make a huge difference and can decide the success or failure of your eLearning solution. Owing to this very importance, you should weigh all the options you have and opt for the one that suits you the best. Following the considerations listed above can guide you in choosing the right authoring tool.
Choosing the right rapid eLearning authoring tool will help you go a step further in your eLearning design and development journey. Not only the right authoring tool, choosing the right instructional design (ID) strategy is also crucial for quick rollout of rapid eLearning courses. This eBook can help you gain actionable insights on the best ID practices for designing impactful rapid eLearning courses.
