My Top 10 e-Learning Tools
October 11, 2009 · Posted in Misc., e-Learning
Jane Hart is gathering top ten lists for e-learning tools. Thus far, 203 people in the e-learning field have submitted their list. I have posted my e-learning toolkit in the past, but not what I necessarily consider my “top e-learning tools.” So, here are my top 10 e-learning tools. They are not stand alone e-learning tools, but together allow me the ability to create effective e-learning courses. I have included how and why I use these tools.
- Adobe Flash - An essential tool for creating highly interactive elements, including animation, games, immersive learning simulations, and almost anything else you want if you can manage writing or finding the actionscript.
- Adobe Fireworks - It is my choice for editing graphics because it is user-friendly to non-graphic artists like me. And it worked very well with my Macromedia Flash when I was getting started in e-learning… old habits are hard to break.
- Adobe Captivate - Fantastic for creating simulations (software sims and branching sims), plus it does a good job recording audio for your sims. Being able to add quizzes and publish SCORM/AICC compliant courses is a big plus too.
- DHTML authoring tool - My preference is OutStart Trainer (TrainerSoft). Being able to create SCORM/AICC compliant courses that imports Flash SWF files and plays well with the LMS makes my ability to implement e-learning much easier.
- WordPress - I am using it right now to get my blog posts out. Writing my blog is a great way share, learn, and connect with others in the e-learning field. It gets me out of my e-learning vacuum.
- Adobe Dreamweaver - Still the best tool for creating web pages (I occasionally have to do that) and jerry-rigging the HTML in courses.
- Windows MovieMaker - Editing videos prior to using them in courses.
- Twitter - Another way for me to share, learn, and connect with others in the e-learning field. I expect either it or Yammer to play a larger role for informal learning at my company.
- Notepad - Editing XML, which is extremely useful in working with DHTML courses and sometimes Flash courses.
- SnagIt - Extremely helpful when making software sims or getting screenshots for courses.
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3 Responses to “My Top 10 e-Learning Tools”
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Great top 10 list. I only use half of your elearning tools.
On my quest for the best e-learning tool, I came across your post. Most of these tools are extremely helpful and i use some of them, but if you were to go for a rapid standalone e-learning IDE (kind of), what would you reccommend?
Before I answer this question, I must let you know that there is no tool that will speed up the process of making e-learning. Even with the use of “rapid e-learning tools,” the process of designing a quality courses still involves a great investment of time and effort. Once an instructionally sound design is complete, the development also requires a certain level of effort to include highly interactive elements in the course. The rapid e-learning tools I have seen do not provide the level of interactivity needed, without using them in conjunction with other additional tools.
Sorry if I am sounding preachy, but I believe the “rapid elearning” term is very misleading and many companies out there have been falsely presenting their products.
If I could only have one authoring tool that did not require much of a learning curve to use it, it would be either Adobe Captivate or OutStart Trainer..I hope that helps. I have also heard people speak highly of Articulate, but have not used it myself.