Just the Basics: eLearning Content Development Tools

eLearning Content Development can range from simply posting PowerPoint decks with audio into a Learning Management System to a complex and custom interactive multimedia experience.  The content development approach that you take will be based upon the quality and complexity of the eLearning you wish to create. For example, you can use a tool like Articulate Presenter to quickly convert a PowerPoint file into an online eLearning course within minutes.  Spend a little extra time and you can add audio narration, quizzes, and other interactive items to your course.  However, unless you are a professional-level voice talent with a decent sound studio and you are a professional graphic artist with a great eye for design, your course may not look and sound as great as courses developed by skill professionals in each area of eLearning content development.

Major areas of eLearning Content Development

• Instructional Design (Learning & Teaching Theories)
• Content Writing/Storyboard Writing  (Technical and Creative Writing)
• Interactive / Game Design
• eLearning Graphic Design/Graphic Artist
• eLearning Authoring / Development (Captivate, Storyline, etc.)
• eLearning Programming (JavaScript, HTML, Variables and Triggers)
• Project Management
• Quality Control/Editing

e-Learning Authoring Tools

• Advanced tools for complex eLearning
  • Adobe Captivate
  • Articulate Storyline
  • Trivantis Lectora

• Simple tools for rapid eLearning
  • Articulate Presenter
  • Lectora Snap
  • iSpring Presenter