What Users Expect from Elearning Authoring Tools

Elearning has caused a landslide change in the way people used to learn and consume content. In fact, leading reports also suggest that the estimated elearning is predicted to grow up at 5 percent CAGR from 2017 to 2024. There can’t be a more opportune time for course makers to ride the wave and carve a niche in the segment. One of the biggest challenges that online course makers face is choosing a cutting-edge elearning tool. Though there is no shortage of eLearning authoring tools on the market but, most of them aren’t tailored to meet specific requirements of course makers. Given that you can’t do without a top-notch elearning tool, you need to have a checklist before you sign on the dotted line. So what’s the process you follow to shortlist top eLearning authoring tools? In the blog post, we provide you a checklist to narrow down your options in your journey to select the right e-learning tool. Take a look.

1. Easy installation

First and foremost, your elearning tool shouldn’t present any challenges in installation or in other words, it should be a breeze. You need to choose from two methods: Cloud-based or hard drive installation. You need to pick carefully from these options since one of them might not allow your team to access the eLearning authoring software system everywhere. While cloud based e-learning tools allow remote access to your team, the hard drive method is advisable only for the local teams. So, it’s always better to go for a cloud based option as you can select from a number of plans depending on your business requirements without having to worry about data theft and security.

2. Scope for Customisation

Your choice of eLearning authoring tool must have simple authoring tools and screen templates that enable you to work on the tool easily without needing to begin from scratch. A sufficient eLearning template library is a must have for any eLearning authoring tool. The library not only helps in creating effective courses, but also enables easy development of the course material in a timely fashion.

Most high quality eLearning authoring tools come with a range of built-in themes that help in easy customization of the course content with readymade themes. So, you can use and reuse preferred eLearning templates for multiple eLearning projects without having to design over and over.

3. Free Trial period

Before you commit to a monthly subscription or an annual plan for your elearning tool, check whether it offers a trial period or not. You need to be aware about the features before you opt for a paid subscription, which is only possible in the trial period. Going for a purchase without testing the features is a rookie mistake as you can’t be sure that your authoring tool would give you the desired features and control or not. As a course maker, our LMS Software needs to be user friendly, equipped with all technical solutions it needs. Simply provide an access to your team members, let them test the features for the entire trial period and gather their feedback. Based on the feedback, you can make an informed buying decision.

4. Coding free

The best eLearning authoring tools are those that don’t need the top-notch skills of a coder or programmer and work with simple clicks. As a course maker, you deserve a simple, seamless and smooth experience without facing any coding related glitches. Not everyone who designs courses has a prior coding or technical knowledge and therefore, you must spare them from such complications. A good or an impressive eLearning tool should enable you to create a course easily without needing pro-developer or coding skills. When your authoring tool requires little to no coding, you can save time and money and run the show more efficiently.

5. Multi Lingual Support

The demand for translation services for content including eLearning content is rising at a rate of 5.5% annually. The trend these days is that eLearning designers develop multiple versions of the course in multiple languages, which is quite time consuming. Challenges arise in redesigning the course in different languages that only professional translators can handle. Ideally, your elearning tool must do the job and save yourself the pain to design a course in multiple languages. So, a prerequisite for the eLearning authoring tool is that it must support multiple language support option.

Other than that, your elearning tool should also be capable of providing translation suggestions, so that you can be sure that there is no mismatch in your thoughts and the course offered.

6. Responsive and adaptive

Social and behavioral factors influence the way you design eLearning and another factor that influences the latter is the device used to create the course. Developers face the challenge of keeping abreast with altering screen types and sizes regularly. Learners expect the eLearning content on the go and this means phone plays an integral role in the range of devices used to access the content. 67% of people regularly use mobile devices to access learning and 67% of organizations now offer mobile learning in some form. Mobile friendly elearning content is already a big hit in the web world and when your content is adaptive, it accommodates other devices as well. This means you can access the customised eLearning content anywhere, anytime on any device easily.

7. Technical Support 

Another prerequisite is the support your vendor provides. Users expect the eLearning tool to be an all rounder and a perfect solution especially when it comes to support options. So, how much support and what kind of support do the users look forward to from the tool? What services and options does the basic package include and exclude? Does it offer phone support on a regular basis or not or whether there is an option for phone support or not? Live chat support is also integral for customers so users expect phone support along with live chat support. Documentation and detailed usage guidelines are usually provided by the eLearning authoring tools along with an FAQ but users expect more versatile forms of support services. So, one on one support remains to be a popular demand.

If you are looking for an effective eLearning authoring tool then weigh your options in terms of these above listed factors and check whether they provide comprehensive features or not. Check if there is cloud based worldwide access, coding free generation of courses, responsive output, etc are available with the options you choose or not. Get to know the functionality and design of the option firsthand through trial period or a demo before you make the big final decision.