Welcome to our blog post on the best SCORM e-Learning authoring tools for course development. SCORM or Sharable Content Object Reference Model is a set of technical standards that ensures interoperability between learning management systems and learning content.

If you’re in the e-learning industry, you’re likely familiar with SCORM and its importance in creating eLearning solutions that can be easily shared and tracked. But with so many SCORM e-Learning authoring tools available, it can be difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your needs.

In this post, we will be highlighting some of the top SCORM e-Learning authoring tools currently available in the market.

We hope this information will help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the right tool for your course development needs.

What are SCORM e-Learning authoring tools?

SCORM e-Learning authoring tools are software programs that allow users to create interactive eLearning courses that are compliant with the SCORM standard. These tools typically provide a range of features and functionality that make it easy for users to create engaging and effective courses, including:

• Templates and pre-designed elements for creating courses quickly and efficiently
• Drag-and-drop functionality for arranging and organizing course content
• Tools for adding multimedia elements such as audio, video, and images
• Features for creating interactive elements such as quizzes, surveys, and games
• Functionality for tracking and analyzing learner progress and performance
• Options for customizing the look and feel of courses, including the ability to add branding and logos

There are many different SCORM e-Learning authoring tools available, each with its own unique set of features and capabilities. Some are geared towards beginners and offer an easy-to-use interface, while others are more advanced and offer a wider range of features for experienced course developers. Choosing the right SCORM authoring tool will depend on your specific needs and goals for course development.

Types of SCORM e-Learning authoring tools

There are several types of SCORM e-Learning authoring tools available, each with its own set of features and capabilities.

Here are some of the main types:

1. Desktop authoring tools: These are software programs that are installed on a computer and allow users to create courses offline. Examples include Articulate 360 and Adobe Captivate.
2. Cloud-based authoring tools: These are web-based tools that allow users to create courses online and store them in the cloud. Examples include Thinkific and Coursio.
3. Open-source authoring tools: These are free, open-source tools that can be downloaded and used to create courses. Example: Adapt.
4. Specialized authoring tools: These are tools that are designed for specific purposes, such as creating gamified courses or creating courses for virtual reality. Examples include Gameffective and LearnBrite.

How to choose the best SCORM e-Learning authoring tool

There are a few key factors to consider when choosing the best SCORM e-Learning authoring tool for your needs:

• Cost: The cost of SCORM e-Learning authoring tools can vary significantly, from free open-source options to expensive enterprise-level solutions. Determine your budget and look for a tool that offers the features you need at a price you can afford.
• Ease of use: Consider how user-friendly the tool is, especially if you are a beginner or don’t have a lot of experience with course development. Look for tools that offer templates and pre-designed layouts, as well as tutorials and other resources to help you get started.
• Features and capabilities: Make a list of the features and capabilities that are important to you, such as the ability to create quizzes, support for multimedia, and mobile compatibility. Look for a tool that offers the features you need.
• Compatibility: Ensure that the tool you choose is compatible with your learning management system (LMS) and any other systems you use.
• Customer support: Look for a tool that offers good customer support, including resources such as documentation, tutorials, and forums.

By considering these factors, you can narrow down your options and choose SCORM e-Learning authoring tools that meets your needs and budget.

Here are the best SCORM e-Learning authoring tools in 2023

1. Articulate 360

Articulate Storyline 360 is a comprehensive and user-friendly SCORM authoring tool that offers a range of powerful features for designing engaging eLearning courses. It integrates seamlessly with Content Library 360, allowing you to access a range of templates and high-quality assets to get started quickly.

The tool is suitable for both beginner and experienced L&D professionals, and it offers a responsive design system that automatically adapts your courses to different devices, including tablets and smartphones. This ensures that learners have an optimal viewing experience no matter what device they use.

Other notable features of Articulate Storyline 360 include the ability to create touchscreen gestures, collaborate with team members, personalize interactions, create software simulations and screencasts, and import videos of any type or format. Unlike Adobe Captivate, you don’t have to worry about adjusting your courses for different device breakpoints.

2. Adobe Captivate

Adobe Captivate is a comprehensive SCORM authoring tool that offers a range of features for creating interactive and mobile-ready eLearning courses. It includes a standalone slide-based content maker, a quiz builder, a video creator, and a content library. With Quick Start Projects and ready-to-go slides, you can create courses in minutes, and the tool’s out-of-the-box interaction features make it easy to create engaging content.

Some of the key features of Adobe Captivate include the ability to convert existing PowerPoint content to interactive videos, create mobile-ready courses, create screencasts by recording both webcam and on-screen content, create multi-module branched courses without programming, and create virtual reality walkthroughs. While Captivate is a feature-rich tool, it does come with a steep learning curve, so it may not be the best option for those looking to create simple employee training content.

3. iSpring Suite

iSpring Suite is a comprehensive toolkit for creating eLearning content that is based on PowerPoint. It is perfect for beginners who have no prior experience in eLearning authoring and want to create professional-quality courses quickly and easily.

With iSpring Suite, you can transform a PowerPoint presentation into an interactive, mobile-ready SCORM module with just a few clicks. The platform includes a range of dedicated tools for adding interactive elements to your courses, such as quizzes, videos, and simulations.

iSpring Suite is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. You don’t need any programming skills or technical expertise to get started. Simply select your PowerPoint presentation, add interactive content using the tools provided, and publish your course. It’s that easy! Additionally, iSpring courses are designed to be responsive, meaning they automatically adapt to any screen size and aspect ratio, ensuring that learners have an optimal viewing experience no matter what device they use.

4. Elucidat

Elucidat is a powerful and user-friendly cloud-based authoring tool that enables large organizations to quickly and easily create effective online learning content. With a range of ready-made templates and intuitive design tools, you can easily produce mobile-friendly eLearning courses that engage and educate your learners.

Using Elucidat you can manage digital learning at scale. The tool includes team-level permissions, brand control, reusable assets, and localization tools that make it easy to create and maintain courses in multiple languages and across different regions. With Elucidat, you can also easily update multiple courses in just a few clicks, and you can use the multi-device slider to preview how your content will look on different screen sizes.

Additionally, Elucidat makes it easy to project duplication and sharing with your team, which helps to maximize reuse and production efficiencies. And with personalized pathways for learners, you can tailor your courses to meet the specific needs and goals of your audience.

5. Articulate Rise

Articulate Rise is a web-based authoring tool that is designed to make it easy to create mobile responsive content. The tool is lightweight and easy to use, with a range of features that allow you to generate storyboards and build out your learning quickly and efficiently.

With Articulate Rise, you can use pre-built interactions and drag-and-drop content blocks to create high-quality interactions without any technical expertise. This makes it a great option for beginners who are new to eLearning authoring or those who want to create professional-quality courses quickly and easily.

6. Composcia

Composica is a powerful and user-friendly SCORM authoring tool that makes it easy to collaborate with your colleagues and create professional-quality eLearning courses. With Composica, you can easily add different users, assign tasks, and ensure that you always have the most up-to-date version of your content.

Composica gives you full control over the design and behavior of your courses. You can style, modify, and position any object according to your content or brand guidelines, allowing you to create courses that are visually appealing and engaging. Additionally, Composica is relatively affordable, making it a good option for small or medium-sized businesses.

Overall, Composica is a versatile and user-friendly SCORM authoring tool that is ideal for creating professional-quality eLearning courses. Whether you’re working on a small team or a large organization, Composica has the tools and features you need to create engaging and effective courses that help your learners succeed.

7. dominKnow One

dominKnow One is a cloud-based SCORM authoring tool that is designed to help teams create and manage mobile responsive eLearning content more efficiently. With a range of features and tools, dominKnow One makes it easy to share, reuse, and collaborate on content, as well as manage assets centrally.

One of the key features of dominKnow One is its ability to translate and localize content, which is essential for creating courses that are accessible to learners around the world. The tool also includes a central library loaded with assets, such as templates, images, and videos, that you can use to create engaging and interactive courses. Additionally, dominKnow One provides built-in software simulation, allowing you to create realistic and immersive learning experiences.

dominKnow One also allows you to publish your courses in multiple formats, including SCORM, AICC, and xAPI, so you can easily distribute your content to learners. And with real-time collaboration capabilities, you can work with your team to create and revise courses in real-time streamlining the development process. Overall, dominKnow One is a powerful and user-friendly SCORM authoring tool that is ideal for teams looking to create mobile responsive eLearning content efficiently.

8. TechSmith Camtasia

TechSmith Camtasia is a powerful screen recording and video editing software that is ideal for creating eLearning courses. With a range of features and tools, you can easily create engaging and interactive courses that help your learners succeed.

One of the key features of TechSmith Camtasia is its screen recording capability. You can use it to record your computer screen, including audio and webcam video, to create video content for your courses. This is a great way to demonstrate concepts, walk learners through processes, or provide step-by-step instructions.

TechSmith Camtasia also includes a range of video editing tools, such as the ability to trim, cut, and split video clips, add captions and annotations, and apply effects and transitions. This makes it easy to create professional-quality video content that is both visually appealing and engaging. Additionally, TechSmith Camtasia supports the inclusion of multimedia elements, such as audio and video, to create interactive and immersive courses.

In addition to its video editing and multimedia support, TechSmith Camtasia also allows you to create quizzes, tests, and other assessments to assess learners’ progress and understanding. And with mobile compatibility, learners can access and complete courses on the go using their smartphones and tablets. Overall, TechSmith Camtasia is a versatile and user-friendly tool for creating engaging and effective eLearning courses.

9. Knowbly

Knowbly is a cloud-based SCORM authoring tool that offers a range of features and tools for creating professional-quality eLearning courses. With Knowbly, you can easily build courses with text, media, interactions, and quizzes using a simple drag-and-drop interface. The tool is ideal for eLearning beginners, as it is easy to use and customize, and it is also mobile-responsive, ensuring that learners have an optimal viewing experience no matter what device they use.

The key benefits of using Knowbly are its built-in review and real-time collaboration capabilities. This makes it easy to work with your team to create and revise courses in real time, streamlining the development process. Additionally, Knowbly is cloud-based, which means that you can access your courses from anywhere with an internet connection. This is especially useful for teams that work remotely or in different locations.

Another key feature of Knowbly is its centralized source, which makes it easy to manage localization, translations, and updates for your courses. This is especially useful for organizations that need to create courses in multiple languages or regions. Overall, Knowbly is a simple yet powerful SCORM authoring tool that offers all the features you need to create engaging and effective eLearning courses.

10. Evolve

Evolve is a powerful and user-friendly SCORM authoring tool that makes it easy to create professional-quality eLearning content quickly and efficiently. With a rich set of features, Evolve gives you total control over every aspect of course creation and presentation. You can make changes at scale with just a few clicks and choose whether to release your courses online or offline.

Evolve creates HTML5 eLearning content that is compatible with any platform or device, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This ensures that learners have an optimal viewing experience no matter what device they use. Additionally, as you build your courses with Evolve, you can see the changes you make in the Live Preview, which updates in real time as you work. This eliminates the need to refresh the page or wait for updates, making the course creation process faster and more efficient.

11. Lectora Online

Lectora is a powerful eLearning authoring tool that is suitable for creating SCORM content both in the cloud and on Windows-based, on-premise systems. One of the key features of Lectora is its mobile design approach, which gives you control over how your content displays across all devices. The content automatically adapts to the viewing device, but you can make adjustments as needed to ensure that learners have an optimal viewing experience.

Some of the core features of Lectora include intricate branching navigation, click-to-reveal interactions, knowledge checks, quizzes and assessments, and feedback popups. These tools allow you to create interactive and engaging courses that help learners retain knowledge and apply what they have learned. Additionally, Lectora includes animation, timeline, and event-based triggers, which you can use to synchronize audio, video, and user actions in a sequence of timed events.

Lectora also includes course starter templates in fresh designs, a built-in asset library, and a user-friendly screen recording and editing tool that you can use to personalize your courses with video. Additionally, the tool includes built-in variables and conditions that you can use to create custom learning paths that adapt based on learner behavior. Overall, Lectora is a versatile and user-friendly eLearning authoring tool that is suitable for creating professional-quality SCORM content.

12. Easygenerator

Easygenerator is a SCORM authoring tool that is designed to be easy to use for anyone, from eLearning professionals to subject-matter experts. With Easygenerator, you can create and share interactive content, track results, and collaborate with multiple authors in real-time. The tool’s “drag and drop” editor makes it easy to create interactive content without any technical expertise, making it a great option for beginners who are new to eLearning authoring.

The benefit of using Easygenerator is that you can easily integrate it with your intranet or other systems. You can also combine the tool with your LMS, LRS, LXP, or EPSS to support your knowledge management needs. This makes it easy to create and share eLearning content that is seamlessly integrated with your existing systems and processes. Overall, Easygenerator is a user-friendly and powerful SCORM authoring tool that is ideal for creating interactive and engaging eLearning courses.

13. Gomo

Gomo is a cloud-based authoring platform that is ideal for creating mobile-first eLearning content. The platform is designed to encourage collaborative working and allows you to quickly update and distribute your content. Gomo uses HTML5 and the latest web technologies to create courses that are tailored to your brand and work seamlessly on any device. With leading multi-language and localized content options, Gomo is perfectly suited for global networks of learners.

One of the key features of Gomo is its built-in templates, which can be edited and redesigned to suit your needs. However, it is worth noting that the editing and redesigning process can be a bit tricky, so it may not be the best fit for those who are new to eLearning authoring. Nonetheless, Gomo is a good fit for bite-size learning and is a powerful and user-friendly authoring platform for creating mobile-ready eLearning content.

14. Adapt Learning

Adapt Learning is a free and user-friendly eLearning SCORM authoring tool that makes it easy to create fully responsive, multi-device HTML5 eLearning content using the Adapt developer framework.

With Adapt Learning, you can easily create an account, log in, create courses, add interactive elements, and preview and publish your content. The process is straightforward and requires no technical expertise, making it a great option for beginners who are new to eLearning authoring.

15. H5P

H5P is a free, open-source, and community-driven system that allows you to create rich and interactive multimedia content for eLearning. It is used by thousands of universities, enterprises, school districts, governments, and other organizations to deliver interactive learning experiences.

The key feature of H5P is the wide range of learning units that it offers, many of which are not available in other LMS systems. You can also use H5P as microlearning units to create more targeted and focused learning experiences. By adding H5P modules to your training material, you can greatly enhance the content and create more engaging and interactive courses. Overall, H5P is a powerful and flexible system for creating multimedia content for eLearning.

To sum up

We hope that the information provided was helpful in your search for the right eLearning authoring tool. We wish you the best of luck in selecting a tool that is suitable for your needs and goals.

Trying to convert your existing text-based training material to eLearning? In this blog, we will outline the need for eLearning and how you can transform your text-based training material into interactive and engaging eLearning modules.

Text-based training material

Training in organizations used to be primarily in the form of instructor-led classroom training. The corresponding training material was text-based, in the form of manuals, PPTs, word documents or PDF files. Many if not most, organizations around the world have text-based training materials in their content library.

Animation, graphical representations, and videos have made us re-think the way we train. If your organization is struggling with legacy text-based content, consider enhancing it by converting it to eLearning.

There are many reasons to convert your text-based material to eLearning modules:

1. eLearning is more suitable to the needs of today’s learners because it can be very interactive, engaging, retentive and flexible.
2. The graphical representations, scenarios, case studies, gamification, and simulations and other elements engages and retains the learner’s attention.
3. All learners get the same information. The content is not dependant on the instructor’s knowledge or delivery.
4. The learners can refer to the training whenever they feel they need a clarification or a refresher.

F.A.S.T. Rescue has been developing effective eLearning courses for its clients across the country. We create the best learning experiences while combining the best of instructional design and visual design strategies to create effective corporate learning solutions.

For more details, contact us: https://fast-rescue.com/contact/

How can I convert my text-based training content to eLearning?

Fortunately, you can convert almost any text-based material into eLearning, including PowerPoint presentations, manuals, guides, and process documents.

This conversion doesn’t mean that you simply copy your existing content into some standard course templates. To get the best results, you need to follow a six-step process. Let’s look at each of these steps.

Step #1: Gather all relevant material

Once you start gathering the material, you will find a lot of content for your topic. Review the material you have gathered, and discard repetitive, irrelevant, outdated, and unnecessary documents. If you don’t find relevant material, you may need to create your own new content.

Step #2: Define the learning objectives and plan your content accordingly

Once all the relevant material is gathered, you can start the conversion process right away. Before you start however, plan out your learning objectives. This is one of the most important first steps.

Review your previous learning objectives. They may need to be updated based on any changes you have made to your content.

Step #3: Table of contents

Along with the changing times, learning has also changed. Long text on a screen with lengthy audio is not effective for today’s learners. Today’s students learn best by receiving short, crisp snippets of information in interactive courses.

To avoid lengthy topics, split up your topics in the table of contents (ToC). This will make each topic easily digestible and will certainly improve the learner’s experience.

Step #4: Review the content

Review the existing content and make sure it is relevant to the topics you have decided on. Check the content carefully to identify outdated, inaccurate information. Ensure that the content is not repeated and that it isn’t replicated in other eLearning courses you have already developed.

Fill in the content gaps wherever required. Use subject matter experts (SMEs) for this task if they are available. Additional content that may be useful can be added to a supplementary information section.

Step #5: Plan the content presentation by storyboarding

Once the content is finalized, assign an instructional designer (ID) to take over. The ID plans the overall content presentation approach and creates a storyboard representing this approach throughout.

The ID will:

• Break the content into smaller and more easily digestible chunks of information (for example into several PPT slides)
• Provide guidelines to the graphic designers on the presentation of the content
• Suggest the relevant media elements such as images, icons, vector graphics, animation and videos that best represent the content.
• Suggest ideas to make the content interactive – such as gamification, scenarios, simulations, and quiz questions.
• Plan formative assessments at the end of each topic
• Plan the summative assessment at the end of the course to assess the overall learning

Step #6: Now, it’s time for content development

The finalized storyboard is passed on to the development team to digitize the content.

The eLearning development team performs the following tasks:

• Choosing an appropriate rapid authoring tool to best design the content (for example: Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Lectora, Elucidat, etc.)
• Understanding the content explained in the storyboard and developing slides for the course.
• Using media elements to effectively present the content.
• Implementing interactivity as suggested by the ID in the storyboard.
• Using characters for scenarios or case studies or for avatars either from the authoring tool or from designing them graphically.
• Creating a SCORM version of the course.
• Launching the course into a learning management system (LMS).

The importance of effective rapid eLearning solutions has risen dramatically over the past few years. F.A.S.T. Rescue offers its rapid eLearning solutions for its diverse client base. Click here to learn more about our rapid eLearning solutions: https://fast-rescue.com/rapid-elearning-solutions/

Conclusion:

Undoubtedly, eLearning provides various benefits over other training methods. Today’s students are attracted to the flexibility, engaging content, and interactive approach of these courses. Furthermore, there is greater retention due to the consistency of the delivery and the ability to re-take the course as needed.

F.A.S.T. Rescue has many eLearning courses to offer. Visit this page to view our course list:
https://fast-rescue.com/online-course-list/

To learn more about F.A.S.T. Rescue’s custom eLearning solutions, check the link below:
https://fast-rescue.com/custom-elearning-solutions/

To book a free consultation, click here(https://fast-rescue.com/contact/).

FAQs – Training Material to eLearning

1. We have many PowerPoint presentations which we prepared previously for classroom training. Can we use them to create online courses?

Yes. Your legacy content in the form of PPTs can certainly be converted into online courses. For more details about PowerPoint to eLearning conversion, click here: https://fast-rescue.com/convert-powerpoint-to-elearning/

2. When the text-based material is converted into an eLearning course, can it be accessed through mobile devices?

Yes. Every eLearning authoring tool allows the course to be viewed through mobile devices. The responsive feature allows the course to become compatible to any screen size.

3. What is Rapid eLearning Development?

Rapid eLearning development is primarily a faster way of designing and developing online learning courses. With the advent of rapid authoring tools, rapid eLearning development has changed the face of eLearning. Instead of spending many weeks or months to develop one course, we can develop the course in a week or sometimes, even a few days.

 

Hire An eLearning Course Developer / eLearning Specialist

eLearning Course developers are very much in demand in the eLearning industry. This article discusses the role of course developers in the eLearning environment, the best methods of developing courses, and what to be aware of when hiring a developer.

Course developers are integral to eLearning content development. In this blog, we will discuss the role they play in eLearning development along with some tips on hiring expert eLearning developers.

The role of the eLearning Course Developer

An eLearning developer designs the online content based on the storyboard created for a training course. eLearning developers have in-depth expertise in using eLearning authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Elucidat, iSpring and Lectora.

During online content creation, an instructional designer initially analyzes the raw content, creates the course structure, and plans how the course should be developed. The eLearning developer, on the other hand, brings the course to life by adding the required design elements to it.

eLearning developers play a key role in developing and deploying the course. As part of eLearning development, they create a user interface for the course, add media elements and finalize the overall visual design.

How do eLearning Developers improve course content?

1. Converting existing training material

In the past, online training programs were not used as widely as they are today. Instructor-led training programs were the norm. Many organizations are now converting the legacy course content from these instructor-led training programs into engaging and interactive eLearning training programs.

Here is where good eLearning developers are important. They convert the legacy content into effective eLearning courses using eye-catching graphics, interactive methods, gamification, and simulations. These features enrich the content leading to greater retention of the course content.

Converting the existing training material into engaging eLearning content has a wide scope. This method includes the conversion of PowerPoint or PDF files, presentations, instructional manuals, participant guides and marketing brochures. Good eLearning developers effectively use rapid authoring tools to make the conversion quick and smooth.

Rapid eLearning solutions have become commonplace. F.A.S.T. Rescue offers its rapid eLearning solutions for our diverse client base. Learn more about our rapid eLearning solutions.

2. Developing new eLearning materials

This is the method most organizations prefer to use. When you develop a custom training course from scratch, you can assess the course to ensure it meets your current standards and requirements.

eLearning companies can assist you with this process by analyzing the content, creating a design plan, using subject matter experts (SMEs) to review the content, and developing an instructional design (ID) strategy. Based on the approved ID strategy, they will finalize the course objectives and create a storyboard for the course.

Once the storyboard is approved, eLearning developers design the content, develop the online learning program, and integrate the final course into your learning management system (LMS).

Your existing eLearning courses can be customized according to your training needs. For more details visit our customized eLearning solutions page.

Hiring an expert eLearning developer

Whether you decide to convert your existing content into eLearning or to create a brand-new eLearning course, eLearning developers play a vital role. Hiring the right eLearning developer can determine the success of your training program. To hire the best eLearning developer, follow these guidelines:

• When building custom eLearning content, make sure your course developer has hands-on experience in multiple authoring tools. They should have expertise in common authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline 360, Studio, Adobe Captivate, Creative Suite, and Lectora.
• Assess if you want this developer to develop a single course or if you want them to be managing several courses.
• If you want your developer to manage the project independently, ensure that you select a developer with expertise in adult learning.
• Ensure that the developer is experienced in graphic design, animation, and video editing.
• Give the developer a sample job before you hire them for your project. Many organizations ignore this step, relying solely on the interview. Ignoring this step will make the difference between the success or failure of your project.
• Assess the expertise level you need based on the complexity of your course.

Here is the list of the experience and responsibilities you will need in an eLearning developer for a complex course:

• Experience:
  • More than 4 years of eLearning development experience
  • Experience in the independent development of individual modules
  • Experience of using at least one authoring tool
• Responsibilities:
  • To create eLearning modules from storyboard content
  • To create content using engaging interactivity and knowledge assessments
  • To publish modules for different LMS platforms
  • To work with the development team to ensure quality control
  • To work on media assets and imagery from source content to improve the quality
  • To have an overall understanding of the course curriculum
  • To use client’s templates, tools, and methodologies

Conclusion

In this blog, we have reviewed the role of eLearning developers, the methods they use for developing the course content, and the best practices for hiring a competent developer. For more details, please contact us.

F.A.S.T. Rescue has been developing effective eLearning courses for our diverse clients across the country. We create the best learning experiences while combining the best of instructional design and visual design strategies to create effective corporate learning solutions.

Related FAQs

1. What are the popular authoring tools for converting PPT files to eLearning?

Many authoring tools are able to easily convert PPT files to eLearning. Some of these authoring tools include:

• Articulate Storyline
• Adobe Captivate
• Lectora Inspire

Your legacy content in the form of PPTs can be easily converted into online courses. For more details  visit our page PowerPoint to eLearning conversion:

2. Why is custom eLearning the best option for your organization?

For generic training, off-the-shelf content is a good option. When training is required to develop specific skills and competencies, customizing your eLearning content is the most efficient way to train your staff. Custom eLearning enables your content to be updated at frequent intervals making your training flexible and dynamic.

3. How is legacy content conversion achieved?

Legacy content conversion happens in several ways, which are listed below:

• If the source files are not available, screen recordings may be the best option.
• If the course needs to be republished without modification, ensure that it adapts to all devices and browsers.
• Assess if the slides should be redesigned.
• Assess if the course must be recreated from scratch. If this is the case, instructional design must also be involved to build the course.

Instructional design (ID) solutions are the crucial element which runs innately in the eLearning development process. Any eLearning courseware development begins with instructional design. ID strategies vary according to the course content and play a significant role in eLearning development.

Understanding Instructional Design

Instructional design (ID) primarily focuses on the learning outcomes. It learns, adapts, and innovates on demand. ID strategies utilize different fundamental learning aspects while addressing the learning requirements in courseware development.

Analyzing the content: This is the essential step in the development process. Before initiating any activity in the development process, a thorough needs analysis and study of the target audience is a must. The rudimentary learning objectives are outlined during this stage.

Collaborating with teams: ID is a highly collaborative task. In the planning process, an instructional designer should collaborate with subject matter experts (SME), graphic designers, developers, project managers and quality assurance (QA) specialists. The ID must be communicated among the teams and incorporated into the course development to achieve the outcome.

Adopting technology: ID must be synchronized with all the technical aspects required to develop the courseware. Good knowledge about authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline and Captivate is an essential element of the courseware development. It is also ideal for the instructional designer to have functional knowledge of an LMS (Learning Management System).

Planning: Post analysis, a plan must be outlined so that the content developed is easier to absorb. At this stage, it is imperative to identify what methodologies can be adopted and what technologies can be used.

Content design and development: Based on the learning needs and according to the learning objectives, ID strategies determine the content design and development. The purpose of this activity is to engage the learners and fulfil the learning objectives. The content must flow smoothly, helping the learners retain what they have absorbed.

Assessing the learning outcome: Next, the developed learning material must be evaluated to ensure that it is effective in addressing the learning needs. The learning material must be measured to see how effective it is on the learners’ behaviour. It is important to assess if the learners have gained the knowledge that the course aims to provide.

Applying ID Models

Applying an appropriate ID model while creating a course is important. If a specific model is practiced or a blend of models is utilized in developing a course, the learner’s knowledge retention increases. Let us look at some of the most important ID models:

ADDIE: Among the various ID models, this is the most preferred ID model people follow. ADDIE indicates Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation. It is an old model and is linear in structure. ADDIE is very thorough and while it is our preferred method, it is important to note that it can be time consuming.

Merrill’s Principles of Instruction: This model is a task-centred approach that focuses on four phases of learning, including activation, demonstration, application, and integration.

Bloom’s Taxonomy: This model classifies different skills and objectives that the course designers set for their learners.

Dick and Carey Model: This model focuses on nine aspects of learning which include instructional goals, analysis, learner’s behaviour, objectives, strategy, instructional material, formative evaluation, and summative evaluation.

Kemp Model: The Kemp design model has a non-linear structure or a circular structure. It conveys that the design process is a continuous cycle, and therefore needs constant planning, design, and evaluation to ensure quality instruction.

Rapid Instructional Design: Rapid eLearning is the buzz word today and this model is best suited for those who want to develop rapid eLearning courseware. The four elements of this model include Prepare, Present, Practice and Perform.

Action Mapping by Cathy More: This model presents a visual approach and is primarily used in business situations. This model provides learning that is activity-oriented, rather than one with pages of information.

Why F.A.S.T. Rescue’s Instructional Design?

It is crucial to have an ID strategy for developing an eLearning training course. FAST Rescue offers an ID strategy that provides a holistic approach to how the training course can be designed to achieve the course objectives in the most effective manner.

The instructional design strategy includes techniques, methods, and tools to instruct the learners. The primary goal of our ID strategy is to achieve the end results by using the available or required resources to get effective results.

Similarly, before devising the ID strategy, we examine different essential elements of the strategy such as content, media, visuals, and assessments. In the ID strategy, we use all these elements effectively and proportionately to help learners get engaged in the training process.

We interchange different strategies according to the learning needs:

• Scenario-based approaches
• Storytelling approaches
• Gamification approaches
• Micro learning approaches
• Video-based approaches
• Personalized approaches
• Simulation-based approaches

FAST Rescue has been offering effective Instructional Design solutions for our clients since 2008. We create the best learning experiences while combining the best of instructional design and visual design strategies to create effective corporate learning solutions.

Related FAQs

1. What are the three essential elements of instructional design?

While developing eLearning content, instructional designers consider the three important elements: Learning Objectives, Learning Activities and Assessments. These are often referred to as the ‘magic triangle’ of learning.

2. What is the sole purpose of instructional design?

Instructional design primarily focuses on learning outcomes. The sole aim of instructional design is to ensure that the learning objectives/outcomes are achieved by the end of the course.

3. What is the generic instructional design process that works for all eLearning courses?

The following aspects are covered in the instructional design process:

• Analyse the learning needs
• Determine the learning objectives
• Create the storyboard
• Develop the design
• Deliver the training
• Evaluate the learning

4. What are some of the best ID models?

Here are some well-known ID models:

• ADDIE
• Merrill’s Principles of Instruction
• Bloom’s Taxonomy
• Dick and Carey Model
• Kemp Model
• Rapid Instructional design
• Action Mapping by Cathy More

5. What are some of the tools used by instructional designers?

Prominent tools used by instructional designers include:

• Articulate Storyline
• Elucidate
• iSpring Suite
• Lectora
• Adobe Captivate

eLearning Gamification Solutions is the current demand in the training domain. In today’s changing learning environment, training containing only theoretical concepts is not adequate. How best you present your content is more important than the amount of content. Unless the learning content is engaging and interactive, today’s learners will not retain the content effectively.

What is eLearning Gamification?

Gamificaton in eLearning fulfils learning needs by offering an immersive and enjoyable learning experience. Gamification involves the use of gaming elements and gaming principles in a non-gaming environment, to create an engaging and effecting learning experience.

Gamification is the building of games into the content. These games must suit the context and should use gaming mechanics and dynamics that best work for the learners. The primary purpose of gamification is to engage the learners so that they retain the training content.

Gamification works by guiding the learners as they move forward in the game, helping them make the right decisions and in the process, understand the concepts in the course. Learners receive immediate feedback on their performance and are guided to the next steps for new achievements. Scenario-based or story-based concepts are interlinked with gamification to make the content more interesting.

Game Mechanics and Dynamics

In gamification, game mechanics and game dynamics help learners by guiding them with proactive directives and feedback. Game mechanics serve as the instructions and rewards that appear in a well-developed program. Game mechanics include points, levels, missions, leader boards and badges. They help learners move to their next steps and give learners feedback on their achievements.

Game dynamics on the other hand, denote emotions and behaviors that resonate with people. For example, competition through leaderboards, collaboration in completing team missions, newsfeeds, earning unique badges, and unlocking new missions. Game dynamics works along with game mechanics to foster engagement and to motivate learners.

Benefits of eLearning Gamification

There are several benefits of gamification in eLearning, including:

Fun: For majority of learners, a training activity in general, can evoke boredom and a feeling of compulsion. Gamification changes this perception altogether. Learners enjoy the challenges, competition, rewards, and the overall learning.

Immediate feedback: One of the biggest advantages in gamification is that learners understand concepts more closely, because of the situations they face and the immediate feedback they receive.

Consider a situation where the learner is forced to decide. Once the decision is made, feedback comes immediately guiding the learner to the next step. This type of activity-based learning gives immediate feedback, and helps learners grasp the training concepts more effectively.

Important tips to make gamification more effective

Unlike video games which are designed to entertain, gamification in eLearning has a purpose, which is to train the learners. The best practice is to choose gaming elements which are educational, engaging, and motivational. Here are tips that can help you develop gamification effectively.

Scenario/Story based gamification: Learners always enjoy a compelling storyline. Create a captivating scenario or storyline with characters that take the learners along the storyline path.

Build the story/scenario in such a way that the learners become a part of the plot. They must try to achieve success, which results in training them with the required knowledge. Scenario or story based gamification is one of the best ways to create engaging content.

Making the gaming activity challenging: Introduce the gaming in the form of gradation levels and make it more challenging as learners overcome one obstacle after another. The more challenging a gaming activity is, the more learners enjoy the gamification. As they complete one challenging task after another, offer rewards and badges as a gesture of encouragement. Ultimately, all challenges turn into reasons for learners to grasp and understand the concepts.

Make it competitive: The real crux of a gaming experience is to have healthy competition. Allow learners to compete against others in their own team or outside their team. You can also allow the learner to compete with their earlier efforts. This way, they strive harder to learn more.

Using simulations: If you want to train your learners on life-saving activities for example, using simulations combined with gaming elements is the best tool. Allow learners to take chances and make their own decisions to practice the skills they must learn.

F.A.S.T Rescue has been offering effective gamification solutions for our many clients across the globe. We create the best learning experiences that use the latest technological advancements while combining compelling eLearning elements, such as gamification and simulations, to create effective corporate custom training solutions.

Related FAQs

Why should eLearning development companies consider gamification in eLearning?

Gamification is an extremely effective teaching tool. In this fast-paced learning environment, learning solutions should also be quick, straight forward and engaging. Incorporating gamification in eLearning is an ideal approach to make learning more retentive and effective.

Which authoring tool is good for gamification?

Many rapid authoring tools available in the market are good for gamification. Examples include:

• Articulate Storyline
• Elucidat
• Adobe Captivate
• Articulate Rise
• Lectora
• DominKnow

What learning methods need to be used to implement gamification in eLearning?

There are many ways to implement gamification in your course.

• You can build a story/scenario around the gamification.
• You can make it more challenging and engaging by using points, levels, missions, leader boards and badges.
• You can include simulations in the gamification activity to enhance the learning outcome.

What are the primary benefits of gamification in elearning?

Gamification is the method of using gaming elements in a non-gaming context. There are many benefits of gamification in courses. They include:

• Increasing motivation levels of the learner
• Improving knowledge retention
• Enhancing learner engagement through social mechanisms like badges, points, or leaderboards.

Custom training solutions address the biggest challenge for organizations to effectively train their workforce to meet organizational goals. FAST Rescue has been offering custom training solutions to a diversified group of customers.

Why Custom Training Solutions?

To bring your employees to the expected level of expertise, off-the-shelf content often falls short. Your training content should be customized according to the current requirements, and should be designed appropriately, keeping your workforce in mind.

Off-the-shelf and ready-made content does not suit an organization’s goals in terms of skillset building and moving to the next level as an organization. Employees are a definite asset to their organization when they are well trained.

FAST Rescue Custom Training Solutions

Here is a list of some of the custom training solutions that we can customize. Please note that this list is constantly expanding, depending on the growing needs of our clients.

Software training	Personalized training
Safety training	Communication skills
Micro learning	Induction and onboarding
Specific skill enhancement	Accounting and finance training
Compliance training	Soft skills training
Technical courses	Critical thinking training
Sales training	Leadership training
Product training	Awareness training
Orientations	Application simulation training

Software Training

When a small software company approached us for training content for the software applications they have, their requirement was simple and straightforward. They needed to build clear and easy to understand content which could be revisited multiple times to learn and review the applications.

After receiving the source material and completing the analysis, the instructional designers (IDs) collaborated with the subject matter experts (SMEs) to come up with an approach of screen capturing videos. The software applications are explained step-by-step using screen-capturing.

Updating the earlier mode of training which the software company had, we customized the content to suit their learning requirements. Their employees were able to revisit the training content as often as they needed until they were able to master the software applications.

Personalized Training

A multi-national marketing organization wanted to train its core team with a specific training strategy to acquire the required marketing skillset. With help from their team, FAST Rescue compiled their existing marketing strategies and collateral and developed a personalized training module.

This approach involved learning about the team, including aspects such as their educational level, strengths and weaknesses, learning capabilities etc.

With more than a decade of experience providing online courses to adult learners, from employees at corporate offices to university graduates, and across multiple verticals, we adapted our experience of adult learning principles and improved the marketing courseware to make it engaging and interactive. The testimonial received after the launch of the training course demonstrated the success of this personalized training.

Safety Training

A US based safety solutions organization wanted to provide blended safety training to its work force. Before coming to FAST Rescue, they provided classroom training using PowerPoint presentations and practical sessions after the theory presentation.

FAST Rescue studied their training requirements and provided them with a custom training solution. With regular meetings and active input from the client, the course was built to their expectations.

The training content was segregated into three categories: theoretical instructions (prescribed for the usage of equipment and safety measures), practical interactive, scenarios and simulation slides and the assessment of learning.

The scenarios and simulations used in the course provided hands-on experience where the learners were able to practice their practical skills.

Communication Skills Training

As part of offering soft skills to its work force, a medium-sized organization approached FAST Rescue for a communication skills training course. The idea was to build strong communication skills among their employees so that they could have smooth one-to-one interactions with their clients.

We analyzed the client’s existing content and provided them with an effective approach which involved blended learning.

The employees learned the theory portion online, which included understanding words, their meanings, usage, pronunciation, sentence structure, as well as the different ways of effective communication. In the online course, they also had to complete a formative and summative assessment to solidify the learning.

After the online theory session, the learners attended classroom sessions, which were facilitated by an instructor who encouraged them to interact with one another, give presentations and have debates.

Micro Learning

This case study projects the current training requirement prevalent in many organizations. The customer wanted the training to be more engaging, interactive, and have good retention.

The customer felt that because of the large amount of content and the existing presentation style, not many employees were paying attention in the training sessions.

The customer wanted the course to address these challenges so that the training was more effective.

After a thorough analysis of the existing content and presentation, we determined that the approach should be to provide the content in smaller chunks of easily digestible content.

Based on the ID strategy, we classified, sub-divided and broke out the content into 5 minute videos/animations, all headed with catchy titles. These small videos contained specific, targeted information and could be completed quickly.

We used different patterns in this micro learning course:

• Microlearning videos (brief, interactive videos; whiteboard animations; etc.)
• Games (simulations, polls, flashcards, multiple choice questions, etc.)
• Short snippets of audio (micro-lectures, etc.)
• Tests and quizzes
• Infographics (statistical, hierarchical, and comparative infographics)

For the employees who were previously trained with the lengthy content modules, this new approach of micro learning was a breath of fresh air.

FAST Rescue has been passionately addressing training challenges for more than a decade. For more details, click here to book a demo.