Free Authoring Tools For eLearning

Free Authoring Tools For eLearning
Summary: In this post I will present you a list of 15 Free Authoring Tools that you can use in your eLearning design and development process.

15 Free Authoring Tools For eLearning

If anyone of you have used these authoring tools I will very much appreciate if he/she share with us a demo of the final output! If you know a free authoring tool that is not included in the list I will highly appreciate if you leave a comment with a link!

Discover the best Free eLearning Authoring Tools
Find, choose and compare the eLearning Industry's Free Authoring Tools!

(Update 01/11/2013): 4 more tools were added at the list!)

  1. Easygenerator by Easygenerator
    Easygenerator provides cloud-based eLearning authoring software. Easygenerator enables instructional designers and subject matter experts to rapidly create the most engaging courses that have the highest learning impact. Easygenerator is affordable, easy to use, and future proof. Simply create, design and publish your eLearning courses. Used and loved by 5000+ users in more than 120 countries in both enterprises and universities. Easygenerator’s headquarter is located in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
  2. LCDS by Microsoft
    The Microsoft Learning Content Development System (LCDS) is a free tool that enables the Microsoft Learning community to create high-quality, interactive, online courses and Microsoft Silverlight Learning Snacks.
  3. SmartBuilder by Suddenly Smart
    SmartBuilder is the award-winning course authoring tool that enables you to create rich Flash e-learning with an easy-to-use interface.
  4. The Multimedia Learning Object Authoring Tool by Tim Wang, John Bratlien, Liang Shao
    The Multimedia Learning Object Authoring Tool enables content experts to easily combine video, audio, images and texts into one synchronized learning object.
  5. authorPOINT by authorGEN Technologies
    authorPOINT is an authoring tool that allows users to capture presentations and add pre-recorded audio/video, all inside of Microsoft PowerPoint. authorGEN also offers authorPOINT Lite, which converts PowerPoint presentations to Flash.
  6. Dipity by Dipity
    From what we can glean from their website, Dipity is an online timeline creator. Users, known as Dipsters, can create their own content on subjects that are meaningful to them and share them with other users. Dipsters can also integrate social media into their timeline, utilizing real-time updates.
  7. Document Suite 2008 by JetDraft Software
    Document Suite 2008 is an authoring tool that helps transform documents into online help modules.
  8. Izzui by QuickLessons LLC
    Izzui is a hybrid social learning application that can be linked with QuickLessons. Izzui uses Facebook as an LMS to track and deliver courses. Izzui also has an e-Commerce capability allowing users to charge and pay for courses that they have created.
  9. Jackdaw by e-Learning WMB
    Jackdaw produces SCORM 1.2 compliant content that is easily integrated into any LMS. Users can create interactive content either from scratch or with the the help of over 100 templates. Jackdaw also lets users create content that they can then sell on the Open Elms webstore.
  10. LessonWriter by Lesson Writer
    From what we can gather from their website, LessonWriter is a tool for teachers that allows them to create lessons from any passage. These courses allow teachers to be creative with their lesson plans and also saves them a great deal of time.
  11. MOS Solo by MindOnSite
    MOS Solo offers a way for users to create content on the go without having to rely on a constant Internet connection. Even though they are using an offline content creation tool, they do not lose any of the functionality or power to create their multimedia content.
  12. myUdutu Course Authoring Tool by Udutu Online Learning Solutions
    A free online authoring tool with a suite of WSIWYG tools, allowing users to create courses in an approachable environment. Claims to export SCORM 1.2/2004 conform-ant courses to be used in a 3rd party LMS or integrate into social media sites, such as Facebook.
  13. QuickLessons Authoring Tool by QuickLessons LLC
    QuickLessons was built from the ground up to be a completely SaaS based content authoring tool, requiring the user to only have access to a web-browser. QuickLessons comes equipped with quizzes, games, characters, out-of-the-box animations and other customizable content to allow users to create truly unique and interactive flash-based content to meet their needs. Users can either use QuickLessons for free, publishing their content only to Facebook, or they can buy an individual, corporate or academic account.
  14. Scratch by MIT Media Lab
    From what we can gather from their website, Scratch is a creative tool that helps users create content that is beyond the barriers of traditional page-turners. Scratch users can create interactive stories, animation, music, and art, then share their creations on the web.
  15. xtimeline by Famento Inc
    xtimeline is a tool that allows users to create timeline based content for free. Users can also share their timelines with other users, creating a community.

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