Are you looking for an eLearning authoring tool that can help you create engaging and interactive courses? If so, you’ll want to compare the different eLearning authoring tools available in the market.
In this article, we’ll consider the top factors of eLearning authoring tools that help you decide which tool goes well with your needs.
Can the tool customize and add features to your course?
One of the most important factors to consider before deciding which eLearning authoring tool is best for you is whether or not your chosen authoring tool lets you customize and add features to your course. You want a user interface that is easy to use and intuitive.
In addition, knowing how certain elements in your courses function will help a lot when creating them! The more parts of the software can be changed or improved by an end-user, the more useful and worthwhile a tool will be in your plans for future courses.
How easy is it to use?
When you’re comparing the eLearning authoring tools, there’s one thing that you’ll want to watch out for–the learning curve.
Some experienced professionals suggest not using complex tools with no prior experience, otherwise, your course will end up looking broken and unprofessional because of manual edits.
Fortunately, most used (or better known) tools like Adobe Captivate have stepwise videos that can guide you through their interface.
Can you distribute it across platforms?
You need to make sure that the tools’ file formats can be shared easily across different platforms–both on desktop computers (Windows and Mac) and on mobile devices.
In fact, if your target users are going back and forth between home computers or mobile devices, you need to make sure that your course is not only designed in a specific interface (and requires diving into the authoring tool settings).
The best way out of this problem might be by making yourself a template that has been customized with all required options on its original web page.
How many future updates have the developers committed to?
As technology moves forward, so will your business and your learning needs. You must keep up with advancements in programming tools because even relatively fresh courses may soon be obsolete if not regularly updated.
The best eLearning authors understand free eLearning tools won’t always be there when you need them.
Some developers offer updates within a limited period, while some automatically update all their users’ programs with regular patches and upgrades too. Others charge a monthly fee or use an annual support plan so that the software can continue to function without interruption.
What do the tool’s pricing options offer?
Depending on your eLearning course, this may determine how much you’re willing to pay for cloud-based tools. For example, if you need something that can turn lengthy PowerPoint lectures into interactive training material or provide step-by-step instructions as part of an applicant tracking system (ATS), then a subscription model is likely what will work best for you and your budget.
Blog Conclusion
In order to make the best decisions when it comes to eLearning authoring tools, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what different authoring tools can offer. Comparing and contrasting different eLearning authoring tools is a great way to get a comprehensive overview of what’s out there and decide which one is the best fit for your needs.