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Rapid Authoring Tools that are Responsive and Easy to Deploy
Rapid Authoring Tools: Rapid Authoring Tools that are Responsive and Easy to Deploy to refer for the software applications that allow users to easily create and publish interactive eLearning content, without requiring extensive knowledge of programming or multimedia design. Some popular rapid authoring tools that are responsive and easy to deploy include Some popular rapid authoring tools that are responsive and easy to deploy include:
- Articulate 360 – A cloud-based eLearning authoring tool with responsive design capabilities.
- Adapt – An open-source, responsive authoring tool that can be deployed on your own servers.
- I Spring Suite – A desktop authoring tool that creates responsive eLearning content with ease.
- Storyline 360 – A responsive authoring tool that allows you to create interactive eLearning content without any programming knowledge.
- Lectora Inspire – A cloud-based authoring tool that creates responsive content with a drag-and-drop interface.
These tools offer features such as drag-and-drop functionality, customizable templates, and the ability to publish content to various devices and platforms.
Types Of Authoring Tools
- PowerPoint-based Authoring Tools
These authoring tools work as plug-ins for MS PowerPoint. They are very easy to use with almost no learning curve. You can develop simple digital learning assets with a few basic interactivities.
Examples: Adobe Presenter, Articulate Studio
- Desktop-Based Authoring Tools
These are the most used tools for eLearning design and development. They are so named because they need to be installed in a dedicated system. They offer a variety of features and are ideal for designing courses with high-level interactivities and customization. However, they have a steeper learning curve than PowerPoint-based authoring tools.
Examples: Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate, Lectora Inspire, iSpring Suite Max. 26
- Cloud-Based Authoring Tools
These are online authoring tools that don’t need to be installed in a particular system. They are usually offered as Software as a Service (SaaS) and need a license to be used. They allow collaborative authoring where more than one person can log in and work on the tool simultaneously.
Examples: Articulate Rise, Lectora Online, Easygenerator
Features To Look For Rapid eLearning Development Tool
- Built-in Media Library
Unlike classroom training, eLearning relies more on visual elements such as images, animations, and videos to deliver information. But creating them from scratch or buying them from commercial sites like Shutterstock or Getty Images can be tedious and expensive.
That is why having a built-in library of stock media assets such as buttons, clip arts, locations, and characters can be quite handy. These media assets are royalty-free and come as part of the authoring tool suite.
- Customizable Templates based on New-age Design
Templates act as ready-to-use blueprints for eLearning courses and help create a consistent and professional look and feel across courses. These templates can be used for:
- Common screens
- Games
- Assessments
Going for an authoring tool that has an suite template library with a wide variety of layouts, built-in interactivities, and new-age learning design elements significantly reduces the time and cost of development. And having customizable templates that can be adapted to accommodate specific needs means they can be reused multiple times.
- Interactivities Based On New-Age Learning Design
Although rapid eLearning depends heavily on authoring tools, that in no way means it lags behind when it comes to creativity. Or that you must spend more to create engaging courses. Courses based on new-age learning design appeal to modern adult learners. This new-age eLearning design involves highly interactive strategies like storytelling, branching scenarios, personalization, gamification, and augmented and virtual reality.
You can add personalization by asking learners their names right at the start of the course or to choose a character/avatar based on their job roles. You can use gamified templates for formative assessments and assign points (for every correct answer) and rewards (based on their confidence level or response time). You can also leverage the screencast and recording features to build watch-try-do simulations.
- Responsive Design for Multi-device Accessibility
Responsive design is a crucial feature to look for in an authoring tool, as it allows for the rapid development of mobile learning courses. Most modern rapid eLearning authoring tools publish mobile-friendly courses in the HTML5 format. But it is the extent of responsiveness to screen size and orientation that makes all the difference.
- Assessment Types and Templates
Assessments are an indispensable part of eLearning courses. They play an important role in evaluating learners’ understanding at regular intervals during the course (formative assessments) and verifying if they have achieved the set performance-based learning objectives at the end (summative assessments).
Having built-in assessment templates in an authoring tool can help in rapid development – of quizzes, drag and drop activities, fill in the blanks, matching activities, flashcards, etc.
6. Online Review Apps
These are key for a hassle-free review/feedback-implementation cycle. These review tools provide a common platform for all stakeholders and SMEs to share their feedback.
Conclusion
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