The Best Tools for Creating eLearning Content

If you’re not aware, eLearning content creation can be broken down into several specific steps, from writing to recording and editing to publishing. The process can get very complex if you work with multiple people or develop an entire course at once. The good news is that you don’t have to struggle through the process on your own! 

There are many tools out there that can help you create high-quality eLearning content at record speed; however, finding the right tool can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Using the wrong tool can lead to poor-quality audio, video, or images that hinder learners’ ability to learn and remember information from your courses. 

On the flip side, the right tools can help you create high-quality content that engages learners and make them want to return again and again. That’s why we’ve collected the top eLearning content creation tools on the market, including both free and paid solutions, so that you can get started on your next project right away! So let’s dive right in!

Captivate

If you’re looking to create rich interactive training modules in your environment without paying thousands, Captivate is a tool you should consider. It allows users to create high-impact, interactive training and testing applications enriched with multimedia, voice-over, animations, and 2D/3D graphics. 

The tool is ideal for organizations interested in improving retention and compliance by creating powerful yet cost-effective online courses that are easy to access from any device. With Captivate’s new HTML5 technology, you can design your online training using templates or import existing PowerPoint files and convert them into a fully interactive course. 

Pros 

• A visual design application made by Adobe, Captivate is great for designing interactive courses and presentations. 

• It’s free to download from Adobe and comes with many great stock assets as well. 

Cons 

• The downside is that it can only be used on Windows or Mac OS X—so you won’t be able to use it if you have a Linux-based PC or Chrome book. 
• It can also be hard to create things like branching choices with just one tool, which means you might have to consider using other software alongside it. 
• Be aware that some versions of Captivate expire after 12 months when downloaded through sources other than direct from Adobe; make sure you find out how much time you have left before buying!

Articulate Storyline

An Articulate Storyline is a user-friendly tool that creates interactive and engaging courses. With Storyline, you can easily add audio and video media, create branching scenarios based on learners’ answers, develop handouts and course evaluations. 

All in all, we recommend Articulate Storyline to organizations looking for a versatile tool to create high-quality eLearning material that attracts and retains learners. 

Pros 

• It allows you to design easy-to-use courses even if you have no previous experience.

Cons 

• The Learning curve requires at least three days to get used to it (with only one day of actual work). 
• It’s Buggy. For example, sometimes, when changing a slide, all hyperlinks are lost, making the teaching process much harder than expected.

iSpring Suite

Reviewing iSpring Suite’s list of features and learning how to create an effective presentation is a great first step for beginners and pros. The tool allows you to incorporate audio, video, graphics, text, quizzes, and more in your training. 

Plus, you can schedule it when you want to make sure everyone sees it. With iSpring Suite’s easy drag-and-drop interface and customizable templates, you’ll find that creating eLearning courses is a breeze. 

And there are so many options! Of course, it’s hard to pick just one tool from such a well-rounded platform; however, if you have to choose just one option for creating eLearning content and are on a tight budget, iSpring Suite would be a no-brainer. 

The tools available within its platform will satisfy all your needs and provide everything you need to start your project today. There’s no risk either because they offer free demos on their website that allow you to work with an example course before signing up for the software.

To help you make an informed decision, check out these pros and cons of iSpring Suite to see if it’s right up your alley. 

Pros 

• Inexpensive alternative to Articulate Storyline or Captivate 
• Drag and drop design allows learners to focus on course material instead of messing with software.

Cons

• No option for scrolling words on-screen when reusing slides 

Lectora

If you’re still looking for that perfect tool to create engaging and interactive courses in general, look no further. Lectora has everything you need to create your next bestseller! This tool makes it easy to develop interactive lessons and resources that engage learners, whether they’re using an iPad or a desktop computer. 

With Lectora’s simple interface, you can quickly write effective lessons that include videos, images, text boxes, and much more. 

Pros

•  Free tutorial videos available on YouTube 
• Cost-effective. 

Cons

• Relatively new software without a proven track record post
• Not as easy to use as some of its competitors like Articulate Storyline and 
• The learning curve can be steep for a beginner

Top Things To Consider When Choosing An Authoring Tool

Which features and benefits are most important to you? 

Think about what your learners need from your courses, and make sure that any authoring tool you choose has those tools built-in. 

Is your budget a concern? 

This is an obvious one—some software costs thousands of dollars, while others cost just a few hundred (or even less). 

Will it be easy to integrate with other tools you’re using? 

There are all sorts of tools that can help businesses save time, cut costs and do more—but if they aren’t integrated into a single workflow or system, they won’t help much at all. 

How many people will use it? 

The number of people who will use a specific authoring tool directly impacts how much training and support will be required before everyone can take full advantage of its capabilities. 

Do you want to create interactive content? 

Tools designed for completion-based learning tend to be easier for less-experienced users but often don’t offer as many advanced features as their interactive-content creation counterparts. 

Conclusion

So, what’s your take on these free tools? Which do you prefer and why? Have you ever used any of them in an actual project? What was your experience like? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments section below. Also, please share it with your friends or colleagues if you enjoyed reading this post. Thank you!