Creating engaging and effective training content is essential for online learning. Have you ever wondered how online courses, training materials, and digital elearning content come to life? Welcome to the world of content authoring. In this blog, we will explain what an authoring tool is. We will also discuss why you need one and the different types of tools available.
What is an Authoring Tool?
An authoring tool is essentially a software application that helps you create digital learning content, training materials, and interactive educational resources. Think of it like a Swiss Army knife for content creators – a versatile tool that lets you design, develop, and package learning experiences without needing to be a coding expert.
Imagine you're an SME (subject matter expert) with years of knowledge but limited technical skills. An authoring tool becomes your best friend, allowing you to transform your expertise into engaging, professional-looking digital content. Whether you're creating a corporate training module, an online eLearning course, or an interactive tutorial, these tools simplify the process of bringing your ideas to life.
The first eLearning authoring tools were actually created back in the 1960s, the National Science Foundation funded a project that would introduce a tool named Plato, which would be followed by TICCIT a few years later. These tools while revolutionary required an immense amount of coding knowledge and a computer so large that it could be mistaken for a laundry machine today. We’ve come a long way since those days but these initial revolutionary learning tools laid the groundwork for innovation in the digital learning space and the creation of all types of extremely specialized and unique, cloud-based course creation and content authoring tools.
The Different Types of Authoring Tools for eLearning Content
Desktop-Based Authoring Tools
What Are They?
Desktop-based authoring tools represent the traditional powerhouses of eLearning content development. These sophisticated applications are installed directly on your computer's hard drive, offering robust functionality even without an internet connection. They typically feature comprehensive development environments with advanced capabilities for creating intricate interactions, custom animations, and highly specialized learning experiences. Many desktop tools also include extensive asset libraries and template collections that can significantly speed up the development process.
When to Use Them:
Desktop-based tools shine in scenarios requiring advanced interactivity and complex branching scenarios, making them ideal for creating immersive learning experiences. They're particularly valuable for organizations handling sensitive data that must remain offline for security purposes. Teams working on high-quality, long-term projects benefit from their stable performance and comprehensive feature sets, especially when developing curriculum-wide content or enterprise-level training programs.
Limitations:
- Requires installation and can be resource-heavy.
- Limited collaboration capabilities for remote teams.
Cloud-Based Authoring Tools
What Are They?
Cloud-based authoring tools represent the modern evolution of eLearning development. These platforms operate entirely through web browsers, eliminating installation requirements and enabling instant access from any location. They're built with collaboration at their core, featuring real-time editing capabilities, version control, and seamless sharing options that make team-based development more efficient than ever.
When to Use Them:
These tools excel in environments where real-time collaboration is essential. They're particularly effective for agile development teams that need to iterate quickly and respond to changing requirements. Cloud-based tools are also ideal for creating responsive content that automatically adapts to different devices and screen sizes, ensuring a consistent learning experience across platforms.
Limitations:
- Requires a reliable internet connection.
- May lack the deep customization capabilities of desktop tools.
- Often more specialized for specific types of course design
Rapid Authoring Tools
What Are They?
Rapid authoring tools represent a revolutionary approach to eLearning development, designed to democratize content creation. These platforms typically feature intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built templates, and streamlined workflows that dramatically reduce development time. They often include built-in responsive design capabilities and SCORM compliance, making them particularly attractive for organizations needing to quickly deploy standardized training content.
When to Use Them:
These tools are invaluable when facing tight deadlines or sudden training needs. They excel at converting existing materials like PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, or training manuals into engaging eLearning content. For organizations conducting software training or needing to create video tutorials, rapid authoring tools often include screen recording and simulation capabilities that streamline the process. They're particularly effective for teams with limited technical expertise or instructional design resources.
Limitations:
- May lack advanced features like branching or complex interactivity.
- Less suitable for large-scale projects.
Game-Based Authoring Tools
What Are They?
Game-based authoring tools are specialized platforms that combine learning objectives with gaming mechanics. These tools provide frameworks for creating educational games, simulations, and interactive scenarios that leverage elements like points, badges, leaderboards, and narrative-driven challenges. They often include features for tracking player progress, managing achievements, and creating branching storylines that adapt to learner choices.
When to Use Them:
These tools are particularly effective when engagement is crucial to learning outcomes. They shine in scenarios where learners need to practice decision-making in safe, simulated environments or when complex concepts can be better understood through interactive exploration. Game-based tools are especially valuable for soft skills training, compliance scenarios, and situations where learners need to experience the consequences of different choices without real-world risks.
Limitations:
- Gamification can add complexity to content creation.
- Not always suitable for all learning goals, formal topics and types of online courses.
Text-Based Authoring Tools
Text-based authoring tools focus on creating and managing written content for eLearning courses. These tools feature advanced text editing capabilities, support for multiple content formats including images and slides, and features for organizing and structuring textual information. Modern text-based tools frequently incorporate features like markdown support, collaborative editing, version control, and the ability to easily repurpose content across different formats and platforms.
When to Use Them:
These tools are particularly valuable when developing content-heavy courses that require extensive written material, such as technical documentation, procedure manuals, or detailed instructional content. They're excellent for creating reference materials, job aids, and courses where clear, well-structured text is the primary medium for conveying information. Text-based tools are also ideal for teams that need to maintain and update large volumes of written content efficiently.
Limitations:
- Static-based content and imagery make it challenging to create highly interactive or visually dynamic content.
- Lack of robust multimedia integration capabilities
- Can lead to lower engagement levels
Video-Based Authoring Tools
What Are They?
Video-based authoring tools have evolved far beyond simple recording and editing capabilities. Modern platforms offer features like interactive video overlays, branching scenarios within videos, embedded assessments, and analytics tracking. They often include capabilities for creating animated explainers, screen captures, and presenter-led content, along with tools for adding interactive elements that transform passive viewing into active learning experiences.
When to Use Them:
These tools are essential for creating visual demonstrations, especially for software training or physical procedures. They excel at capturing expert knowledge and creating consistent training experiences for distributed teams. Video-based tools are particularly effective for microlearning modules, where brief, focused content needs to deliver immediate value. They're also invaluable for creating custom education content that needs to be both engaging and informative.
Limitations:
- Video content may require more time and resources to edit.
- Can lack interactivity compared to other formats.
AI-Powered Authoring Tools
AI-powered authoring tools represent the cutting edge of eLearning development. These sophisticated platforms leverage artificial intelligence to automate various aspects of content creation, from generating initial drafts to personalizing learning paths. They often include features like natural language processing for content analysis, automated translation capabilities, and intelligent content recommendations based on learner behavior and performance data.
When to Use Them:
These tools are particularly valuable for organizations looking to scale their eLearning development while maintaining consistency and quality. They excel at creating personalized learning experiences that adapt to individual learner needs and progress. AI-powered tools can significantly reduce development time by automating routine tasks and providing intelligent suggestions for content improvement. They're especially useful for organizations with large-scale training needs or those requiring multiple language versions of their content.
Limitations:
- Newer technology can sometimes be less customizable.
- AI solutions may have a learning curve.
Built-In vs. Standalone Authoring Tools
Built-In Authoring Tools
Built-in authoring tools are integrated components within larger Learning Management Systems (LMS) or eLearning platforms. These tools are designed to work seamlessly within their host environment, offering direct publishing capabilities and tight integration with the platform's features. They typically include basic course creation capabilities, assessment tools, and content organization features that align perfectly with the platform's architecture.
Key Features:
- Integrated with the LMS for easy course deployment.
- Typically simpler, with fewer advanced features.
- Great for creating basic content like quizzes, slides, and videos.
Examples:
- Moodle’s Built-in Tools: Create quizzes, lessons, and basic course conten and integrate directly into the LMS.
- Canvas: Includes simple tools for creating pages, quizzes, and discussions within the LMS.
- Engageli: Create interactive online courses with Studio that seamlessly integrate into the On-Demand learning environment.
When to Use Them:
- When you need quick, integrated course creation.
- For basic eLearning modules or compliance training.
- When working within an existing LMS ecosystem.
Standalone Authoring Tools
Standalone authoring tools are independent software solutions specifically designed for creating eLearning content. These tools offer comprehensive feature sets without being tied to any particular LMS or eLearning platform. They typically provide advanced capabilities for creating sophisticated interactions, custom animations, and complex branching scenarios, along with support for various industry standards like SCORM, xAPI, and cmi5.
Key Features:
- Advanced capabilities like simulations, branching, and gamification.
- Export content in SCORM, xAPI, or other eLearning standards.
- More robust design and interactivity options.
Examples:
- Articulate Storyline: Advanced interactivity and animations.
- Adobe Captivate: Responsive design and software simulations.
When to Use Them:
- For complex, custom eLearning courses.
- When you need detailed interactivity and multimedia content.
- For organizations requiring SCORM-compliant exports.
Choosing Between Built-In and Standalone Tools:
- Use built-in tools for simplicity, speed, and basic content.
- Opt for standalone tools for flexibility, customization, and scalability.
- Editor: Whether the editor is intuitive
- Interactive resources: Whether the tool supports interactive resources like videos and games
- Customization: Whether the tool offers customization options
- Collaboration: Whether the tool allows for cloud-based collaboration
- Standards: Whether the tool supports standards like SCORM or xAPI for course distribution
Which Content Authoring Tool is Best?
The key to successful eLearning development lies in selecting the right tool for your specific needs, considering factors such as project complexity, team collaboration requirements, and technical constraints. Desktop-based tools continue to offer unmatched power for complex projects, while cloud-based solutions provide unprecedented accessibility and collaboration features. Rapid authoring tools serve time-sensitive needs, and specialized tools for gaming, video, and AI-powered learning address specific educational challenges.
When selecting an authoring tool, consider your team's technical expertise, project timeline, budget constraints, and long-term maintenance requirements. Remember that the most sophisticated tool isn't always the best choice – sometimes, simpler solutions can lead to more effective learning outcomes. The key is to align your tool selection with your educational objectives and organizational capabilities while maintaining flexibility to adapt as technology and learning needs evolve.