Rapid Learning Development Tools

I wrote this blog for my company website and it's waiting to be uploaded to our new blog on the website.  It was a recommendation that I made to increase our social presence. 

Are rapid changes in elearning causing you to change too?

Rapid learning tools allow those without programming skills to build e-learning courses rapidly. They can offer easy, inexpensive way for organizations to develop Web-based training that is flexible, elegant, and easy to update. In the past, the course would normally be created as a PowerPoint presentation with recorded narration on each slide. Additional software would add tests, collaboration activities, multimedia, animations, and graphics. The entire course would be sent as an Adobe Flash file to a learning management system (LMS) or Web site. However, newer software is including all the components as one software package.

In addition, mobile devices are increasingly being used and Flash is not supported for some mobile devices. This has increased the demand for courses that are can be published in HTML5 for mobile
devices. Those mobile devices include tablets and smartphones like: 


Apple with iOS
Google with Android OS
RIM with Blackberry OS
Microsoft with Windows Phone OS

Rapid learning software include the following bigger software tools:

Adobe Captivate 6 software helps you rapidly author a wide range of interactive eLearning and HTML5-based mLearning content. It converts Captivate-generated .SWF files into HTML5 files. It allows you to import Microsoft® PowerPoint slides and enrich them with multimedia, interactive elements and quizzes. Content can be delivered to virtually any device, including iPads. The author can edit video, and add transitions, smart shapes, audio, and captions; insert a talking head or another video in a picture-in-picture format; and publish it to YouTube with a single click. Captivate allows you to insert aesthetically designed interactive elements to  e-learning content with just a click.


Articulate e-learning authoring software is designed for those who prefer to work with PowerPoint. It makes it easy to convert PowerPoint presentations into courses while including quizzes and interactive e-learning content. Users can build slides from scratch or build slides using a template. Publish your course to multiple formats including mobile devices, and distribute to the web, Articulate Online or your company's LMS.

Dokeos is an open-source online learning suite. It provides all the features needed for e-learning and blended learning management; from authoring to reporting. Dokeos was the first authoring tool to be compliant with HTML5 and tablets: non-flash video and audio, flexible display, improved contrasts, and clarified menus.

Lectora is an application that gives you the option to use customizable templates and themes or create a course from scratch. Coding is made easier with a  WYSWIG (what you see is what you get) interface. Create quizzes or use the software’s media library of games, characters, animations, and photographs. Users can embed, stream, or record and edit videos—including those from YouTube. Importing courses from PowerPoint is another option.

RapidIntake by CallidusCloud is a cloud-based collaborative course authoring tool. Novices can use a WYSWIG visual layout environment, convert PowerPoint presentations, or fill-out form-based templates to create interactive activities and courses. Advanced developers can use Flash source code to create customized courses. Capabilities include publishing courses in HTML5 for mobile devices.

SmartBuilder by Suddenly Smart creates performance-changing  e-learning without scripting and by combining the power of robust authoring tools like Flash, with a rapid development timeline. It enables you to create rich Flash  e-learning with an easy-to-use interface.

Udutu is an online learning authoring tool with a suite free and paid tools. Can be used with other LMS tools and it can be integrated into social media sites such as Facebook. Udutu makes it easy to produce media rich, engaging online courseware to web browsers and mobile devices.

Are rapid changes causing you to rapidly change what software tool you are using?  Whichever rapid learning development software tool you choose, make sure it meets your needs. Several of the companies offer a 30-day trial. Take advantage of this option!

Which one do you use and why do you like it? Comment below and share with others.