Authoring tools are software applications that allow users to develop learning guides using interactive content. While authoring tools can be used for creating any type of digital content, they often focus on developing interactive elements like videos and quizzes. Authoring tools fall into a range of pricerange and functionality when it comes to assist professionals wanting to create eLearning courses.
Here are the best tools out there!
Camtasia
TechSmith’s Camtasia is a desktop powerhouse for recording and editing instructional videos. It’s available for both Mac and PC, and is considered to be one of the most popular authoring tools for screencasts and other types of training videos. It doesn’t just allow you to record your screen and edit the captured video – there’s a quiz editing tool, a bunch of stock video/audio, and various visual effects, all at your fingertips.
Learning curve
For someone who has never worked with a video editor before, Camtasia might come across as a bit overwhelming. However, this authoring software is well known by the community and there’s a handful of video tutorials and help articles that will help you grasp the basics of working with the app quickly. After you’ve come to grips with Camtasia, it actually becomes pretty easy to operate and allows you to churn out high-quality training videos in short order.
Assessments
Camtasia can be used to insert quizzes and surveys to videos. There are just 4 question types available: multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, and short answer.
Interactions
This product is not the typical authoring tool that includes all sorts of interaction templates. Focused on video editing, it doesn’t provide any interactive elements other than quizzes and surveys.
Video and audio editor
Camtasia has been the top performer in the casual video editing market for a while now. It’s safe to say that this application is much more capable than the usual video editors included with other authoring tools.
Conversation simulations
Cannot be created in Camtasia.
Mobile learning
The program doesn’t offer any special tools or perks for mobile learners. But since its only output is video, it doesn’t need to, because all modern smartphones and tablets can play these formats just fine.
Publishing options
- video formats, including MP4 and AVI
- eLearning formats: SCORM 1.2 and 2004
Pros
- Available for both Mac and PC
- The most advanced video editor compared to all other authoring tools on the market
- Gives access to a library of stock music, intros, transitions, and other assets that will help you get the job done in less time
- Built-in quiz maker that allows you to create quizzes inside your training videos
- Supports SCORM; can export training modules for use in an LMS
Cons
- Limited to producing video content
- No interactive elements can be used in output content aside from quizzes
- Built-in quiz tool only has 4 question types to select from
- Not half as capable as true video editors like Adobe Premiere Pro or Davinci Resolve
Best for
This authoring software will come in handy for anyone who makes training content about computer software. Recording the screen and the webcam, editing the output with a bunch of stock effects, exporting the finished lesson to SCORM – Camtasia has everything you need for a good video tutorial that can act as training material. However, if the project you’re working on requires something other than a screencast with visual hints and annotations, look for a different solution.
Price
Lifetime license + one year of updates for $299
Lectora Online
In this comparison, we’ll look at Lectora Online, the cloud-based version of Lectora, which offers content authoring plus similar eLearning development tools that are comparable to the other products in this article.
A big focus of the Lectora product range has always been compliance with web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG). This ensures that any course created with this online eLearning tool will be accessible to those with disabilities, such as hearing or vision impairment. If you work in or develop content for federal government organizations, this is a good choice.
Lectora’s popular Getting Started templates are a great shortcut for authoring. Each template includes built-in navigation, interactive samples, page layouts, and instructions for use. Plus, these built-in templates offer different learning styles and course types such as basic linear, non-linear, microlearning, scenario-based, adaptive, time-of-need/just-in-time training, multimedia, and more.
For more experienced developers, Lectora Online supports scripts, custom libraries, fonts, and CSS, so the sky’s the limit in terms of customization.
Learning curve
The interface will look familiar to Windows users, since it uses the Windows toolbar format and folder structure icons to represent the different sections, topics, interactions, quizzes, and assets in a course. Compared to other tools, the menu system looks a bit confusing and the layout will take some getting used to.
Getting a standard eLearning course up and running using some of the templates provided should be within most people’s reach, but there’s definitely more complexity involved in creating and editing courses compared to the other course development tools.
Assessments
Lectora lets you build quizzes or surveys using a selection of 12 question types. They range from simple ones like true/false to more interactive varieties such as drag-and-drop or rank sequence.
Interactions
There are form elements like list box and radio button that you can insert to your course and link to certain variables and actions, thereby setting up a custom interaction. If you’d like to start from a template, eLearning Brothers offer a library of readymade interactions like Puzzle and Drag & Drop that you can easily customize.
Video and audio editor
Lectora has a very capable video tool that lets you record from both your screen and/or webcam and edit the results: you can create transitions from one segment of video to another, add effects, record narration, etc.
Conversation simulations
This eLearning design software doesn’t have a dedicated instrument for building dialogue simulations. You can try to find a suitable template in the eLearning Brothers library or create your own from scratch using the advanced programming capabilities of the tool.
Mobile learning
Lectora is perfectly capable of publishing responsive content, and so is suitable for mobile-oriented usage. However, it doesn’t have an app for downloading published content and viewing it offline like iSpring and Articulate do.
Publishing options
- HTML5
- eLearning formats: AICC, SCORM, and xAPI
Pros
- WCAG compliant
- Supports conditional branching and sequenced events
- Ability to add your own scripts, custom libraries, fonts, CSS
- Built-in versioning for collaboration
- Robust quizzing options
- Getting-started course templates that include navigation and sample interactions
- Global content management and update of assets
- Reviewing integration with review link
- Stock images and templates from eLearning Brothers
Cons
- More expensive than its competitors
- Clunky, outdated UI
- Not the most intuitive authoring tool on the market
- Advanced features don’t support Section 508
- In order to create a responsive course, you need to edit the same content in 5 (!) different views
Best for
Lectora has a legion of fans, but they mostly fall into the ‘power user’ category, meaning they’ve spent considerable time learning the tool and are truly experts with it.
It doesn’t offer a user experience as clean as iSpring Suite or Articulate Rise, but certainly offers a great degree of power and flexibility for experienced and more technically inclined eLearning developers.
Most suitable for larger and geographically dispersed organizations with a mature L&D model encompassing multiple authors and reviewers.
Pricing
$500/year (Starter), $900/year (Pro), $1390 (Team)
Articulate Storyline 360 & Articulate Rise 360
Articulate is one of our personal favourite as well as the most well-known name in the world of the authoring design tool. It is a clean, modern with powerful impact features. It allows you to storyboard your online courses and lay down the path that your learners will take.
While a sibling of Storyline, Articulate Rise 360, the main focus is on mobile-responsive content. It enables you to create courses that are compatible with every device.
Adobe Captivate
Adobe Captivate is a well-recognised name in the photography and design industry. Many eLearning authors love Adobe Captivate for its feature-rich tools. With Captivate, you can storyboard your courses, tap into an extensive interactions library, including transitions and triggers. Which means create your courses quickly and easily with their user-friendly interface.
iSpring
If you’ve ever wanted to take your PowerPoint presentations and turn them into eLearning courses, you’ll love iSpring Suite. iSpring Suite also offers plenty of course templates and themes, backgrounds, and more.
iSpring can integrate with most popular LMS platforms, including Moodle™ and Learnbook.
Elucidat
Elucidat is a cloud-based authoring tool that focuses on its simplicity and user-friendly. With a full package offer on features and tailor-made for collaboration. It works similarly to Google suite that allows multiple users working on the same piece at once without worrying about version control.
H5P
If you’re looking for a free-to-use, open-source authoring tool, you’ve found it. H5P can be used as a plugin for Moodle, Learnbook or WordPress. H5P offers support for a variety of content types and is also mobile-friendly.
Unity 3D
Unity has captured the attention of eLearning designers with its ability to build games, VR and AR technology. As the future of online learning evolves, program tool like Unity can push the limit of what possible for learners to experience. For new eLearning designers, using Unity can be a daunting task at first. But with this technology, the possibility is endless, and it sure is the path and the expectation of where eLearning is heading.
Obsidian Black
With Obsidian Black, you can sync voiceovers with text, images, and animation. This makes the creation of video content a breeze. Obsidian Black is compatible with the most popular LMS solutions.
Project members and clients can leave comments and reviews on your courses. Then you can easily collect feedback to help you improve your training programs in the future.
Knowbly
Knowbly is simple, yet powerful authoring tool perfect for eLearning designer newbie who wants all the features. With a drag & drop content creation, Knowbly allows you to create content quickly, easily, and it’s mobile-responsive!
Composica
Another authoring tool that focuses on a smooth collaboration, Composica let your team work on the project at the same time. With a simple interface, Composica will remind you of a PowerPoint system which makes people feel at ease to use. You can add different users, assign tasks, and always have the most up-to-date version of your content at hand. It also has competitive pricing, so it’s a relatively affordable option for your business.
Conclusion
So, that’s a wrap! Remember to make the best use of each authoring tool’s features and always assess the requires of your content before you begin authoring your own material. Happy authoring!