Considerations To Make When Buying A New eLearning Authoring Tool
eLearning authoring tools help to save money, and time and boost productivity by allowing collective authoring. But with more than a dozen amazing eLearning authoring tools available in the market, it is not easy to choose the best one. And with industry-specified features, all you need is a multi-functional authoring tool.
Using authoring tools to develop an eLearning course is one of the best ways to guarantee eLearning efficacy. Authoring tools are important for learning and development specialists to create accessible and interesting virtual learning. Here are a few fundamental things to take into consideration before choosing an eLearning authoring tool so that you end up buying something with a host of mystical, new characteristics as well as basic elements.
1, User friendly
An authoring tool should allow efficient as well as reflexive creation of media without necessarily needing programming skills. The more intuitive and user-friendly an authoring tool is, the enormous the pool of capable authors. A tool that is effortless to pick up without training is better. Consider how complex or simple the editing room is to navigate around. Besides, templates that provide authors with a prefabricated layout play an important role. Here, Adobe Captivate provides ready-to-go slides for template-based authoring with responsive courses, software simulations, interactive videos, and more.
2, Multi-functional
One of the most crucial selection benchmarks is the functionality of an authoring tool. Beyond basic standards, there is a whole array of functions, in which the authoring tools can differ in the market such as an import function to convert document files into a fundamental learning unit. Another worthwhile function includes recording/capturing which lets images and videos be taken or recorded directly in the authoring tool, and then utilized in learning units. Plus, other functions that could be relevant for the selection includes tables, forms, text fields, avatars as well as gamification features.
3, Free trial
The free demo let you get your hands on how various authoring tools work before buying. Other than the promises of the sales unit, a trial version gives the chance to get a complete picture of the weaknesses and strengths of an authoring tool. Such functional applications help underline the contrast between the various authoring tools solely and on the other hand, it offers you the certainty, that the probable winners are well-matched with your needs. Moreover, it also helps you discover the flexibility and features of different tools.
4, Pricing and budget
The price and the budget are of course one of the most basic selection standards. Check your budget before buying an authoring tool and opt for a tool that you can afford. There is a wide range of authoring tools starting from low-cost tools with a smaller variety of functions to the more costly premium products. Price is a smart way to exclusive your options. But the base price doesn’t alone matter and not all tools come with every requirement. Prior to buying, dig deep into each and everything aspect the authoring tool provides.
5, Future needs
In a long-term investment, sustainability is the thing that matters most. You need to think about what kind of online learning you’ll have to create in the upcoming days, months, and years. You should also keep an eye on tomorrow while digging for a suitable system. You must also think are there audiences or topics you’re not creating content with now but probably will shortly? Besides, not only the existing requirements should matter in the decision, but also try to look as comprehensively as possible into the future.
Therefore, there is no perfect course authorization app that works for each project. Yet, some companies provide comprehensive e-learning software that allows choosing different tools for different programs.
