Authoring tools are a staple for any organisation that’s serious about eLearning. But what exactly is an authoring tool? And how can you use it to create engaging eLearning?
In this blog, we’re going to explore all aspects of authoring tools. From what they are to their features and the different types available. Ready to jump right in? Then let’s do it!
What is an Authoring Tool?
An authoring tool is software that helps you to easily create and manage eLearning content. Within an authoring tool, users can design and produce interactive courses using engaging elements such as quizzes, branching storylines, videos, audio and animations without programming experience.
eLearning projects created in an authoring tool can be published in a range of different formats for quick distribution through your LMS or learning experience platform.
How Do Authoring Tools Work?
Authoring tools were dreamed up by software development companies who realised that creating engaging and interactive eLearning content from scratch was time-consuming, costly, and sometimes impossible to do in-house due to a lack of required skills.
Authoring tools break down those barriers. But like any software, there are a wide range of authoring tools available, each of which comes with its own unique features. While some are very simple and intuitive to for anyone to use, others are designed specifically for eLearning designers.
To better understand how authoring tools work, let’s look at some of the most common features.
Content Authoring
Authoring tools are all about being able to create digital learning experiences quickly, easily and with little programming knowledge.
Users have the ability to add images, text, audio files, and a wide range of other on-screen elements to courses through a drag and drop interface that makes the process easy and uncomplicated.
Interactive Elements
eLearning is most effective when it is engaging and learner’s can apply knowledge to their own experiences. Interactive elements help with this. They put your learners at the heart of the activity making for better retention and recall.
Authoring tools offer the capability to add interactive elements like mini games, activities or gamification that require a level of interaction in order to progress.
Templates
Authoring tools come with a library of templates and themes in which you can incorporate your own branding to create a consistent experience.
Content Management
eLearning is constantly changing with the needs and requirements of your business.
Many authoring tools feature content management features, providing a one-stop-shop for all of your assets and media. This helps you to easily update lessons and courses while maintaining visibility of the assets you’ve already built such as videos, audio, images, quizzes. All of which can be used again for future lessons or changed up in light of new information.
Sharing & Collaboration
Developing comprehensive eLearning programs often requires the input of many different people. Often, when starting from scratch or using tools not specifically designed for eLearning, collaborating with other stakeholders can be difficult. Especially if you want to keep the process quick and streamlined.
Lots of authoring tools offer collaboration features that help you to easily share your work in progress with different stakeholders.
Assessment & Feedback
The best way to measure retention and recall of information is through assessment. It’s also the easiest way to track a learner’s progress and ensure content is working for users.
Authoring tools allow users to input quizzes in multiple forms, with built in feedback to help learners understand their performance and progress.
Multiple Publishing Formats
If you use an LMS for your eLearning initiatives, your authoring tool must be compatible with that system.
There are a number of different compliance standards to consider such as SCORM, xAPI and AICC. We cover all of these in our Learning and Development Buzzwords article if you’re a bit lost!
Choosing An Authoring Tool
Now we understand what an authoring tool is and how it can be used for your eLearning initiatives, you’ll probably want to shop around for the best one.
There are lots of different options to consider, including off the shelf and bespoke authoring tools.
Off The Shelf Authoring Tools
There are lots of off the shelf authoring tools to choose from. The appeal of them is that they are ready to go, so users can ‘plug and play’ on sign up.
Bespoke Authoring Tools
For organisations with very specific needs who want a complete solution to creating eLearning experiences, bespoke authoring tools can help you pick and choose the features you need most. These types of authoring tools are developed specifically for one organisation and so you can always be sure you’re getting the features and file formats you require to successfully roll out your learning initiatives.
Learn More With DBLX
Here at DBLX, our software developers regularly create branded authoring tools for businesses that help them to create exciting, engaging digital learning experiences. To find out more, take a look at our dedicated authoring tool page or check out the work we did with Subsea 7 to create an authoring tool that helped them to create great content on their own terms.