eLearningIndustry_Logo
Sign In
  • Join Newsletter
  • eBooks
  • Webinars
  • Find Top LMS Software
  • Find Top Authoring Tools
  • Find Top Content Providers
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    All Articles Publish an Article Learning Management Systems Authoring Tools Trends Design and Development Instructional Design Best Practices Free Resources
  • Directory
    Pick The Right eLearning Partner Content Providers Learning Management Systems Free LMS Consulting Review an LMS Promote Your LMS Authoring Tools Review an Authoring Tool Promote Your Authoring Tool Web Conferencing Software Project Management Software Course Marketplaces Language Providers Translation Providers Voice Actors Top eLearning Companies Registration
  • Events
    Webinars Promote Your Event All Events Conferences Congresses Events Seminars Symposiums Workshops Promoting Your Event Guide Free eBook
  • Press Releases
    Promote Your Press Release Press Releases Archive Press Release Guidelines Press Releases Guide Free eBook
  • Jobs
    Find Jobs Promote Your Job
  • Post Here

How can we help you?

Loading...
Oups. Something Has Gone Terribly Wrong. Please Try Later

Sign In

By signing in with LinkedIn, you're agreeing to create an account at elearningindustry.com and accept our terms of use and privacy policy.
Learn more about how we use LinkedIn.

How we use LinkedIn

We use LinkedIn to ensure that our users are real professionals who contribute and share reliable content.

When you sign in with LinkedIn, you are granting elearningindustry.com access to your LinkedIn account, which is used to authenticate you without you having to enter a different user name and password. We also use this access to retrieve the following information:

  • Your full name.
  • Your primary email address.

You can revoke this access at any time through your LinkedIn account.

Sign In with LinkedIn

Already have an account? Login here
  1. Home
  2. eLearning Authoring Tools
  3. 5 Tips To Choose The Right Rapid Authoring Tool
Photo of Ayesha Habeeb Omer
By Ayesha Habeeb Omer
July 16, 2018
4 minutes to read
Comments
eLearning Authoring Tools

5 Tips To Choose The Right Rapid Authoring Tool

It becomes a struggle when you have to choose the right tool for your custom eLearning needs. This article will give tips on choosing the right authoring tool based on your specific requirements.
5 Tips To Choose The Right Rapid Authoring Tool
REDPIXEL.PL/Shutterstock.com

How To Choose The Right Rapid Authoring Tool

Rapid authoring tools have been the favorite of learning developers over the years for the conversion of legacy courses and the creation of custom eLearning courses. They are popular for many reasons. They have a range of features: inbuilt templates, backgrounds, and media elements that save organizations’ time and money when creating eLearning courses. These in-built elements can be customized based on project needs. As regards learning how to use these rapid authoring tools, their operation is easy and requires no programming skills.

Apart from helping learning developers create courses quickly, these tools can also handle the complex task of translating courses into multiple languages. They enable you to easily publish SCORM-compliant courses. You can also create responsive courses that run smoothly on multiple devices. It is also easy to update the content in online courses using rapid authoring tools.

With many authoring tools offering numerous benefits available today, it has become difficult to choose the one that will meet your custom eLearning needs. This article will help you with some tips on choosing the right authoring tool.

Discover the best eLearning Authoring Tools
Save Time & Money. Compare the Top Authoring Tools by features, reviews and rating!
Top Software Comparison

1. Consider Your Competency In The Tool

Even if there are a plethora of choices available, you must choose an authoring tool in which your learning designers are proficient. There is no point in choosing an authoring tool they are not familiar with, because they cannot make the best and efficient use of its features.

However, if you still have to choose a tool your designers are not familiar with, take a decision after reviewing the technical support offered and review the online tutorials (if available) of the tool to decide how easy or difficult it will be to use the tool for your design needs.

If you find that the tool does meet your specific needs, but are doubtful about the competency of your designers in using it, hire an expert in the tool to help you or outsource the development of the course to a vendor who is proficient in using that tool.

2. Compare And Analyze Features

Every eLearning course you create will have specific features. Based on these, you will have to choose a tool which will best meet your needs. A comparison and analysis of the features will help you make the right choice. Be well-informed of the features and functionalities of each tool.

For instance, if you are looking at a short course with simple or even complex interactivities, Articulate Storyline will be an ideal choice. If your developers are familiar with the PowerPoint interface and need very simple interactivities, then iSpring is good because this tool converts PowerPoint to a SCORM course very easily. When you need to include rich simulations, Adobe Captivate is ideal for meeting your needs.

A good understanding of the strengths and drawbacks of individual authoring tools will help you and your design team compare the features and choose the best option.

3. Check Whether They Support Responsive Design

Responsive design is the order of the day in custom eLearning. eLearning courses today have to be available on multiple devices to allow learners to access them anytime and anywhere. Most of the authoring tools today support responsive design, but there are certain tools that offer more options in responsive design and can meet your requirements.

Among them, Articulate Rise, which is part of Articulate 360, is suited to develop fully responsive eLearning courses that will provide a seamless experience across multiple devices. Lectora Inspire has features such as seamless play publish option and auto-play media suitable for mobile devices. Its responsive course design feature simplifies eLearning development for mobile devices.

4. Evaluate The Assets And Media Libraries In These Tools

Being aware of the assets and media libraries provided by these authoring tools will help you know how you can leverage them best. For instance, Articulate 360 offers an asset library that has slide templates, characters, videos, and photographs that will help you create visually rich courses.

Before selecting a tool, also compare the different assessment templates offered in various tools and the customized feedback options available.

5. Check For Ease Of Translation

Custom eLearning courses today are being translated into many languages to cater to a workforce that speaks various languages. Opt for an authoring tool that will support the translation of courses with minimum time and effort. Lectora Inspire offers the best option because developers can quickly export the text that has to be translated into a Word document, and once it is translated they can import it back to the course using its translation manager feature.

With so many options in rapid authoring tools with competitive features, it can be difficult to zero in on the right tool to meet your custom eLearning needs. But if you are well-acquainted with the features and know exactly what you want, you can choose the correct tool to create a course the way you imagine. What do you look for when choosing a rapid authoring tool?

eBook Release: CommLab India
CommLab India
CommLab India is the most sought-after global leader for rapid eLearning solutions. Our formidable authoring tools expertise and years of experience in L&D and instructional design makes us the most reliable partners in your eLearning journey.
Visit Website
eLearning Authoring Tool Evaluation eLearning Authoring Tool Features eLearning Authoring Tool Selection Responsive eLearning Design
  • Write or read Comments
Close
Subscribe to the newsletter Subscribe to the newsletter
eLearningIndustry_Logo
The best collection of eLearning articles, eLearning concepts, eLearning software, and eLearning resources.
  • Articles

    • Post Here
    • Top eLearning Authors
    • How To Publish An eLearning Article
    • How to View your Stats
    • Archive
  • Press Releases

    • Promote Your Press Release
    • Press Releases Guide eBook
    • How To Post A Press Release
    • Guidelines
    • Archive
  • Events

    • Promote Your Event
    • Promoting Your Event eBook
    • How To Post An Event
    • Archive
  • Directory

    • Get Listed
    • Top LMS Software
    • Free LMS Consulting
    • Top Authoring Tools
    • Top eLearning Content Providers
    • How to Create a Business Listing
    • How to Create a Product Listing
  • Jobs

    • Promote Your Job
    • How To Post And Manage A Job Listing
    • Job Openings
    • About
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Support
    • Advertise
  • French flag ELEARNING INDUSTRY IN FRENCH
© 2011–2019 eLearning Industry.