Sharpest tool in the box:Choosing the right authoring tool for your learning strategy

brightwave.co.uk

Jonathan ArchibaldChief Technology Officer

Nick EasthamSolutions Technical Manager

brightwave.co.uk

The technical landscape has changed significantly.

Learning professionals demand more from authoring tools than ever before.

Authoring toolsExplosion & disruption

“One size does

NOT fit all”

Selecting your tool

- Frank Zappa

Established tools:

Captivate

Articulate Studio

MoHive

Coursebuilder

Lectora

Articulate Storyline

What’s the best tool…

for you?

New contenders:

Elucidat

GoMoAdaptBrainsharkDicteramany others…

Design

Devices

Usability

Design

Do you need standard or bespoke features?

• Upfront diagnostic or Role filter• Topic or page locking• Complex, scored scenarios• Guide features with supporting

tutorials• Others…

Design

• Variables

• Actions

• Triggers

Do you need standard or bespoke features?

Design

Do you need a bespoke user interface?

• All tools come with a selection of pre-designed interface options

• Only a few offer complete artistic freedom

Design

Do you need to include systems simulations?

• Captivate, Storyline and Lectora can all record sequences of screens.

• Coursebuilder has a pretty good mechanism for building simulations training – but need to capture the screens using another method.

DevicesQuestion to ask…

Will your users be accessing the elearning from desktops, tablets or smartphones?

Some tools offer mobile support but might not be suitable for smartphones!

Devices

DevicesWill your users be accessing the elearning from desktops, tablets or smartphones?

1. Download a trial copy2. Build a few simple screens3. Publish for HTML5 and SCORM4. Upload to SCORM Cloud5. Launch it on your tablet

Established tools now output HTML5

DevicesWill your users be accessing the elearning from desktops, tablets or smartphones?

If you need smartphone support, you really need a responsive authoring tool

DevicesResponsive Authoring Tools - Adapt

DevicesResponsive Authoring Tools - Elucidat

DevicesResponsive Authoring Tools

• Remember!

• New rules to follow

• There are certain interaction types and features that are difficult to replicate on a small smartphone screen.

UsabilityQuestions to ask…

• How technically adept are your proposed users?

• Where will your users be located?

UsabilityHow technically adept are your proposed users?

• The best tools allow a lot of technical configuration - but don’t require it

• Well supported – online communities etc.

UsabilityWhere will your users be located?

• Hosted tools allow their users to be located remotely

• Some offer project management features and user testing and review mechanisms

• Established and new tools offer this

In Summary…

• There’s no best tool

• Prioritise your requirements and make a shortlist

• Trial those you’re interested in to help make the final choice

The future of authoring?

Thank you

brightwave.co.uk

Questions?Come to stand 60