Top Freeware eLearning Authoring Tools
Here are the top 4 freeware eLearning authoring tools that are available today:
1. EasyGenerator
EasyGenerator is a web based all in one eLearning program that will allow you to do everything you need as an author to create online courses. The best thing about it is that you don’t have to use some kind of coding or follow installation process because this is completely responsive software. Some of the things that you can do easily with EasyGenerator are as follow:
- Create.
As an author you can create learning courses for others by developing content, describing objectives, and determining success of learners through proper assessments. - Design.
Design your courses to bring an amazingly powerful experience for learners by using graphical and Instructional Design to your course. - Publish.
EasyGenerator also brings you a perfect tool for publishing your course to a large number of devices and systems.
2. CourseLab
CourseLab Version 2.4 is distributed among users as a freeware program for an unlimited period of time. This program allows users to create eLearning content in WYSIWYG technique, which means what you see is what you get. The program is available to download at the official site of the CourseLab. However, before you download, don’t forget to check out the minimum system requirement taken from the official site:
- Microsoft® Windows® 2000/XP/2003/Vista/Windows 7.
- Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher.
- 50MB hard drive space.
Some of the most popular features that you can enjoy in free version are as follow:
- Availability of English language for applications.
- Playing of tool in various browsers.
- Six groups of module templates.
- Objects are 65 in numbers.
- Two animated character objects are also allowed.
- Number of supported types of questions is six.
3. GLO Maker
GLO Maker is an open source authoring tool which is free to use for everyone who is interested in creating generative and interactive learning objects. It can also be deployed on mobile devices. The actual purpose of creating this tool is to give power and control to the authors, teachers, and everyone else who want to develop multimedia learning objects that are easy to adopt. On official site of the GLO Maker, you can also get learning material:
- Animated Tutorials.
- Planner.
- Designer.
- Saving and packaging.
- Opening an existing project.
- Individual tutorials.
- Overview of tool.
- How to download and install tool.
- Freestyle patterns to use.
- Compatible file formats.
- Variety of ways to create Glo.
The program has divided the process of authoring into two parts which are planning and designing. Planner is the part where storyline basic learning design is created while on the other hand is designer where basic templates and screens are developed. You can easily build-in your design patterns to construct a learning objective, or you can also utilize freestyle mood which will allow you to create your own design. All available designed are executable and you can use them directly when need to create multimedia based learning objects.
4. SmartBuilder
SmartBuilder is a hosted authoring program and you can get its free version by signing up to the official website. This program will take you inside an authoring object based working environment where you will be able to take further steps to create intuitive and straightforward courses. If you don’t have a team of programmers but want to create memorable and effective learning experience, SmartBuilder can help you. You can create variety of eLearning program that include:
- Rich media.
- Powerful assessments.
- Branching scenarios.
- Gaming elements.
This program is ideal for trainers, educators, Instructional Designers, and for those who are interested in creating effective eLearning courses at a fast pace. Community edition of this program include the following features:
- Action authoring.
- Flow chart authoring.
- Object library.
- Template library.
- Create templates.
- Minor to major upgrades.
- Web help.
- Live training.
- Free lesson hosting.
- Unlimited number of lessons.
- Tutorials.
- Forum.