Best e-Content Development Tools in the Business
Rapidly evolving technologies are changing the way we develop and deliver online content. Content authoring tools, also known as e-content development tools, have become a popular means to create digital content. With a basic e-content development tool, you can create a simple MS Word document; the more complex and sophisticated ones allow you to manipulate digital media, text, and interactions to create highly immersive content, lessons, and courses. Instructional designers use these tools to create training material for employees and also educational content for K-12 and higher education.
Much of this content is usually developed for use in a learning management system (LMS) and can be saved in various formats. Most e-content development tools are pre-programmed software with a user-friendly interface with templates, media, interactions, tests, and tools, which you can manipulate to create and arrange custom content. They also come with their own range of eLearning formats they support, such as SCORM (1.2, 2004), HTML5, xAPI/TinCan, AICC, and LTI.
Top e-Content Development Tools:
1. Elucidat
2. Adobe Captivate
3. Articulate Storyline
4. El Design
5. Gomo
6. Lectora Inspire and Lectora Online
7. Adapt
8. DominKnow One
9. Easygenerator
This being said, no two e-content development tools are the same.
Created by different companies, these e-content tools offer a wide variety of features and options to cater to different eLearning needs.
Also Read: Online Learning Courses – The New Reality for Institutions and Students
Here, in this article, we list some of the popular e-content development tools.
Elucidat
This cloud-based e-content development tool offers an extensive library of pre-built templates which you can manipulate in sync with your brand, using the layout designer feature to build custom pages without the need for any code. Elucidat also includes flexible rules and branching options to create personalized learning paths and deliver highly immersive experiences. There are some brilliant eLearning examples included in the free trial account which you can use as a template. The tool also has an analytics dashboard to provide detailed data on how the learners are interacting and responding to the course. The simple yet comprehensive list of features allows you to create high-quality eLearning content, smarter and faster. The tool supports SCORM-compliant HTML5 eLearning, advanced xAPI data reporting, and mobile-responsive content.
Adobe Captivate
This desktop application can be used for both Windows and Mac. You can use its customization options, themes, color palettes, and slide masters to create fit-for-purpose eLearning content. This e-content development tool has built-in recording which you can use to create videos and system demos and build screens on which the users can practice their skills. The Fluid Boxes feature allows you to create responsive content which can be viewed on multiple devices. Mobile gestures, complex interaction, and geo-location features help to build a high-quality learning experience. While this authoring tool has several benefits, it also has a steep learning curve which implies significant training time for new authors.
Articulate Storyline
This e-content development tool offers a PowerPoint look and feel and has a modest learning curve. As in the case of PowerPoint, you can control the theme pages with slide masters and a color palette for branding. You can achieve interactivity in the content through various triggers, which activate by tapping, clicking, and rolling over a screen object. On detecting a user action, other objects on the screen can be shown or hidden. These features open up possibilities for adding interactivity without coding. Articulate is one of the oldest e-learning tools and supports most e-learning formats including SCORM.
El Design
This innovative e-content development tool supports a blend of approaches like AR, VR, next-gen gamification, interactive videos, social learning, microlearning, blended learning, and mobile learning. You can use its various features to create sticky learning and provide room for practice and proficiency gain.
Gomo
This cloud-based e-content development tool allows you to create web-style eLearning courses which you can host online via the web or offline using the Gomo app. The tool offers a range of themes that you can tweak to look on-brand. There is also a library of interactive templates which you can use to bring your content alive. Authors can also collaborate while creating courses. The software supports multi-sco option that allows translated versions of the course in various languages so learners can choose the language they want to take the course in.
Lectora Inspire and Lectora Online
Lectora Inspire is a Windows desktop e-content development tool while Lectora Online is the cloud-based HTML5 version. While it offers an interesting set of tools and features, it has a steep learning curve. There are several in-built templates that can be tweaked or used as they are. The tool includes a responsive course design feature that lets you develop courses in the desktop view; the tool then automatically rescales them for mobile devices.
Adapt
This open-source e-content development tool can be used to create highly responsive HTML5 content. Since it is open source, the tool makes available the tried and tested components from the user community. You can produce content using pre-built templates or create your themes. It also has a range of interaction and assessment features and also an asset library which makes it easy to quickly update content.
DominKnow One
This tool builds on the features of its traditional e-content development tool, Claro. DominKnow One includes screen capture, responsive authoring, and simulation capabilities. You can use a range of in-built themes and templates and also import your PowerPoint content. The responsive design capabilities are strong, and you can also create varied page types and interactions.
Easygenerator
This cloud-based e-content development platform is focused on quickly and efficiently creating eLearning content. You can leverage the predefined templates to produce responsive content with simple interactions. Besides, you can also assign roles to different team members and collaborate on a course using the co-authoring feature. This SCORM-compliant tool can be used to create basic HTML5 content.
Also Read: Top 5 Online Course Platforms for Educational Institutions
In conclusion
Most e-content development tools overlap in functionality. So the one you choose should depend on the quality and scale at which you wish to produce your eLearning content. Most eLearning content development companies offer a free demo and sometimes, a free trial, to let you have a feel of their e-content development tool. As these tools are pre-programmed, you can easily use them without writing code. However, some do have a steep learning curve and you may need professional help to create tailored to fit, creative interactive courses. Also, keep in mind customer support service for a seamless experience while choosing an e-content development tool.
HurixDigital leverages some these tools to offer custom content development services that are highly flexible and deliver great value. Get in touch with us and we will help you develop custom content for your learners.
Need to know more about our products and services? Drop us a note at marketing@hurix.com
A highly enthusiastic and motivated sales professional with over twenty five years of experience in solution selling of training-related applications and services. Maintains an assertive and dynamic style that generates results. Ability to establish long-term relationships with clients built on trust, quality of service and strategic vision. Specializes in financial services, higher ed, publishing and government in the areas of learning and development.
