What are some of the best tools for creating e-learning courses in SCORM format (or where can I find a good comparison)?
As a first-time course creator, the market seems crowded and it’s challenging to find tools that offer modern UI/UX, reasonable pricing, and comprehensive export and tracking features.
I’ve been checking out Articulate, Thinkific, and Basewell.
I think the key question here is what exactly do you need? Are you looking for something highly customizable? Do you need a platform where content can be easily shared among team members? Will there be a need for content to be edited by people outside your team? And of course, what’s your budget? All these factors will play a crucial role in making your decision.
You might also want to consider trends in user engagement. For instance, our team has embraced a video-heavy approach in eLearning. Video learning is something people are familiar with and often engage with, even in their personal time (think about the popularity of YouTube). It’s worth considering what type of content your audience will connect with, and how you can integrate it into your eLearning courses (perhaps with quizzes or interactive activities).
Articulate stands out in the industry because it offers a rapid development tool (Rise) alongside a highly customizable tool (Storyline), as well as a review tool (Review 360). However, it’s important to note that Articulate’s software can be pricey, though I firmly believe companies should invest in the tools their staff need.
Adobe Captivate is another widely-used tool that recently underwent a significant update, though I’m less familiar with its current capabilities. It seems to combine features of both Rise and Storyline, offering a good level of customization but not as extensive as Storyline.
There are also several open-source eLearning tools available that could meet your requirements, though I haven’t explored them extensively.
Then there are video editors like Camtasia, which I prefer because it’s designed primarily for software demonstration (which is my area). Camtasia allows you to create polished videos that can be exported to SCORM. It’s relatively affordable but may not offer the same level of flexibility as dedicated eLearning authoring tools.
Ultimately, I think it’s crucial (if you haven’t already) to define what your typical course will look like what are the specific parameters, what type of content you intend to create, and what are your reporting needs. Once you have a clear picture of these requirements, choosing the right tool will become much easier.
Thanks for the detailed response!
In my e-learning courses, I use video extensively, created using various AI tools. Do you have any recommendations for authoring tools that handle video content particularly well, or ones to avoid?
Storyline and Captivate both simplify the process of integrating videos directly into the course file.
Camtasia enables you to import videos and export them as SCORM-compliant files.
If your goal is simply to convert a video course into a SCORM-compliant format, Camtasia would likely be the best choice. However, if you require additional features beyond basic video integration, Storyline or another similar tool may be more suitable.
So, are you saying you prefer Storyline over Captivate now? I used to use Captivate a lot in my previous work.
As someone who used to use Captivate extensively but now exclusively uses Storyline, I would recommend Storyline if your aim is to create highly customized templates or courses.
We’ve developed a sophisticated template using triggers and variables to track progress in multiple ways, seamlessly integrating it with the SkillJar LMS for our external users’ convenience. Personally, I don’t think I could achieve something as complex with Captivate.
However, the level of effort required may not be justified for everyone.
Hi there, Pros: It is Easy to use for those familiar with PowerPoint, comprehensive features for various types of content.
Hi there, Choosing the best authoring tools for e-learning can significantly impact the quality and effectiveness of your training programs.
I’m grateful for your valuable perspective—it’s been quite enlightening!