This blog evaluates the 3 most powerful rapid authoring tools based on these desired features.
Choosing a rapid e-learning authoring tool that suits your training needs completely can be quite a challenging task. You need to consider various aspects such as cost, built-in features, flexibility of the tool, and the output it gives. Analyzing all these features can cost you a lot of time and effort. This blog intends to make it easy for you and help pick the right tool quickly.
The eLearning Guild has come out with a report that lists the most desired features in rapid e-learning authoring software. We will now evaluate the 3 widely used rapid authoring tools – Articulate Storyline 2, Adobe Captivate 9, and Lectora Inspire 16, based on the features listed by the report.
| Features | Articulate Storyline 2 | Adobe Captivate 9 | Lectora Inspire 16 |
| Cost of one license (as of 22-Sep-2016) | USD 1398 | USD1099 | USD 2174 |
Audio Capabilities |
|||
| Can embed audio files |  |
|
|
| Can embed audio in interactions | |
|
|
| Can record audio | |
|
|
| Can perform basic audio editing | |
|
|
| Can store audio files in a library |  |
|
|
| Can export recorded audio to MP3 | |
|
|
| Can add links to external audio files | |
|
|
| Can perform advanced audio editing | |
|
|
Assessment Features |
|||
| Can choose from a wide variety of question types (including multiple choice, fill-in, and hotspot) | |
|
|
| Can show a review of the questions after scoring | |
|
|
| Can format question pages as desired | |
|
|
| Can track assessments | |
|
|
| Can create randomized questions | |
|
|
| Can shuffle answers | |
|
|
| Can add media to questions | |
|
|
| Can randomize questions from banks/pools | |
(Needs to be customized) |
|
Branching and Navigation Features |
|||
| Can add simple branching | |
|
|
| Can add custom navigation | |
|
|
| Can add complex branching | |
|
|
Graphics and Animations Creation |
|||
| Can make objects on the screen interactive | |
|
|
| Can animate onscreen elements | |
|
|
| Can edit images, basic | |
|
|
| Can insert HTML5animations | |
|
|
| Can choose from multiple transitions | |
|
|
| Can insert Flash animations | |
|
|
| Can add text animations | |
|
|
| Can use built-in characters | |
|
|
| Can edit images, advanced | |
|
|
Support for Videos |
|||
| Can embed video files | |
|
|
| Can embed videos in interactions | |
|
|
| Can link to external or web video files | |
|
|
| Can record screens | |
|
|
| Can export recorded videos | |
|
|
| Can pan and zoom | |
|
|
| Can store videos in a library | |
|
|
| Can perform basic video editing | |
|
|
Format Templates, Themes, Skins, and Text Features |
|||
| Can use numerous text formatting options (styles, bullets, justification, etc.) | |
|
|
| Can customize how interactions look and feel | |
|
|
| Can create custom themes | |
|
|
| Can create custom templates | |
|
|
| Can customize built-in Player skins | |
(Only a few features) |
|
| Can choose from built-in Player skins | |
|
|
| Can choose from built-in themes | |
|
|
Games, Scenarios, and Simulations |
|||
| Can add interactive scenarios | |
|
|
| Can create simple software simulations | |
|
|
| Can create complex software simulations | |
|
|
| Can add simple game elements | |
|
|
Support and User-community |
|||
| Has easy user support | |
|
|
| Free intro training modules are available | |
|
|
| Has an active user community | |
|
|
Progress-Tracking Features |
|||
| Track in SCORM 1.2 | |
|
|
| Track in SCORM 2004 | |
|
|
| Track in xAPI | |
|
|
| Track in AICC | |
|
|
Scripts and Variables Features |
|||
| Can create user variables | |
|
|
| Can use system variables, such as current date and time | |
|
|
| Can use simple Java scripts | |
|
|
| Can use complex Java scripts | |
|
|
User Accessibility Features |
|||
| Can provide closed captioning for audio | |
|
|
| Can provide closed captioning for videos | |
|
|
| Can provide accessibility (Section 508, WCAG, etc.) features | |
|
|
| Can use text-to-speech (with included voices) | |
|
|
| Can work with JAWS and other screen readers | |
|
|
Integration with Social Media |
|||
| Integration with Twitter | (Needs to be programmed) |
|
|
| Integration with Facebook | (Needs to be programmed) |
|
|
| Integration with other social media | (Needs to be programmed) |
|
|
Publishing Options |
|||
| Can publish to mobile web (ex: HTML5) | |
|
|
| Can provide responsive output | |
|
|
| Can publish to Flash | |
|
|
| Can publish to video | (Screen casts can be saved as videos) |
|
|
| Can publish to PDF | |
|
|
| Can publish to Microsoft Word | |
|
|
| Can publish to a single execute file (.exe) for offline purposes | |
Hope you find this post informative. Go through the table for a quick comparison of the features when you need to zero-in on a tool for your online courses. Please share your thoughts through your comments.
