Are you having a hard time understanding authoring tools? We will help you figure out what they do, why they matter, and which ones to use based on your company’s goals. So, if you’ve been asking, “What are e-learning authoring tools?”, this guide is for you! We give you a complete overview of authoring tools, why they are essential for your business, and which tools are best for your needs.

What Are E-learning Authoring Tools?

E-learning authoring tools are types of software that enable you to create digital lessons and course content for your online learning customers. The e-learning content can be simple or complex. There are many types of e-learning material, and you should choose the one that is best for your subject matter and audience.

The types of content that you can create include text, video, and interactive, among others. In each of these categories, there are multiple options. For example, interactive courses can contain scenarios, simulations, stories, and games.

You also have several choices when choosing what authoring tool to use. For example, it could be a built-in or a third-party tool. A learning management system (LMS) with a built-in authoring tool is convenient but can offer less functionality. You can publish quickly and easily but at a cost. Authoring tools typically offer a wider range of content customization options as needed for training providers with multiple clients. They’re also equipped for you to build unique training courses to differentiate yourself from competitors.

Using a third-party tool may seem like more of a hassle, but you will get a host of powerful features and benefits. You can create many types of content and have complete control over it. If you choose to move to another LMS, there will be no issue retaining ownership of all the content that you have created.

Why Do Authoring Tools Matter?

Authoring tools enable you to create professional courses whether you have design experience or not. In fact, most authoring tools may help improve your process and make things more efficient. If you’re just getting started on converting in-person training to digital, using the right authoring tool can significantly reduce your learning curve. It will help you create dynamic learning content that replaces the need for a teacher or presenter.

Utilizing an authoring tool in conjunction with a multi-tenant LMS can make life much easier for you as a training provider. For example, if you update or change your content, it can happen quickly and easily for all clients and learners. In addition, a cloud-based authoring tool will enable you to work remotely, which means you can seamlessly collaborate with your entire content team from anywhere. SMEs, content authors, and instructional designers can collaborate and create together, no matter where they are located.

Perhaps most importantly, authoring tools can affect how users learn your material. You can create an engaging learning environment that helps learners stay motivated throughout the course. This will affect your client’s success, and they will gain an enormous ROI from their workers’ increase in knowledge and productivity. These happy clients will help you have a successful training business.

What Authoring Tools Are Best for You?

Let’s determine a few considerations when choosing an e-learning authoring tool. First, think about what sort of experience you want to offer your learners. Will you need specific types of functionalities? Compare and contrast a few tools to ensure that you choose the right one for your needs.

There are many authoring tool options. Check out their details to determine which ones may be best for your business:

  • Adobe Captivate: Broad functionality and extensive interface that includes ready-to-go slides, interactive videos, 360 learning experiences, and free learning materials
  • Articulate 360: Includes popular tools Rise and Storyline; gives you a complete set of apps and tools to create online courses
  • Lectora: Screen record, VR options, and a host of powerful functions and quiz options
  • Camtasia: Good for tutorials, demos, and training videos
  • iSpring: Easily turns PowerPoint content into e-learning material; enables the creation of interactive courses and assessments

Conclusion: What Are E-learning Authoring Tools?

E-learning authoring tools are necessary to help you improve your e-learning business. Using the tools that best fit your company’s needs, you can create the best courses for your customers and reach your goals. You now understand more about e-learning authoring tools and can move forward with the knowledge and understanding of what it takes to build an incredible e-learning training business!

Here at Firmwater, we don’t just sell an LMS for training providers. We partner with our clients, giving them the tools and insights they need to implement the best practices in e-learning course development, growth, and delivery. We care too much about our customers’ businesses to have them wade through forums and chatbots for help.

Ready to use an LMS that’s designed for the way YOU work, with a team dedicated to YOUR needs? Book a no-obligation consultation directly with our team today!