Are you new to creating online courses and not sure where to start? eLearning authoring tools can make the process much easier and more efficient. These software programs allow you to design, build and publish interactive learning experiences without needing technical expertise or coding skills.
This beginner’s guide will walk you through selecting the right eLearning authoring tool for your needs, getting started with the software, building your online course, and publishing and sharing it with learners.
Whether you are a teacher, trainer, or content creator, eLearning authoring tools can help you create professional and engaging online courses.
Choosing the Right eLearning Authoring Tool
With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to determine which tool is best for your needs. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when evaluating eLearning authoring tools:
- Features and capabilities: What interactive elements do you want to include in your course? Do you need the ability to create branching scenarios or gamification? Ensure the eLearning authoring tool you choose has the features and capabilities to make the course you envision.
- Ease of use: Some eLearning authoring tools have a steep learning curve, while others are more user-friendly. Consider your technical skills and the time you have to invest in learning a new software program.
- Price and subscription options: ELearning authoring tools can range in price from free to hundreds of dollars per month. Determine your budget and consider whether you need a one-time purchase or a subscription-based model.
Feel free to experiment with different eLearning authoring tools to find the best fit for you.
Getting Started with Your E Learning Authoring Tool
Here are a few steps to follow as you begin using the software:
- Set up your account and create a new project. Most eLearning authoring tools will require you to sign up for an account and create a new project to begin building your course.
- Import and organize your content. You can import existing content, such as text, images, and videos, depending on your tool, into your course. Take the time to organize your content into logical sections and pages.
- Add multimedia elements. Enhance your course with videos, audio, and images to engage learners more. Some eLearning authoring tools also allow you to add interactive features such as quizzes and games.
With these steps in mind, you should be well on your way to creating a professional and engaging online course using your eLearning authoring tool.
Building Your Online Course
Here are a few key steps to follow as you create your course:
- Create interactive learning activities and assessments. Engage learners with interactive quizzes, games, and branching scenarios. Use assessments to test learners’ understanding and provide feedback on their progress.
- Design and format the layout of your course. Consider your course’s overall look and feel and how you want to present the content. Use formatting options such as font, colour, and layout to make the system visually appealing and easy to navigate.
- Add navigation and linking between pages. Make it easy for learners to move through your course by adding navigation buttons and linking between pages. Some eLearning authoring tools also allow you to create a table of contents or index to help learners find specific content.
By following these steps, you should create a well-organized and interactive online course that meets the needs of your learners.
Publishing and Sharing Your Online Course
Here are a few steps to consider as you make your course available:
- Determine how you want to publish and host your course. Some eLearning authoring tools offer hosting options, while others require using a third-party platform or hosting service. Consider your needs and budget when deciding how to publish your course.
- Share your course with learners. Ensure learners have access to the course and know how to navigate it. Depending on the eLearning authoring tool, you can share your course via a link, embed code, or a learning management system.
- Track learner progress and engagement. Most eLearning authoring tools offer analytics and reporting features that allow you to track learner progress and engagement with the course. Use this data to identify areas of improvement and optimize the course for future learners.
Conclusion
Creating an online course with an eLearning authoring tool can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Following this guide, you should have the basic knowledge and resources to build your course. Articulate 360 offers the best features required in an authoring tool. Review 360 articulate to get the hang of it.