6 Ways to Cut Online Training Costs with A Rapid eLearning Authoring Tool

What is a rapid eLearning authoring tool?

A rapid eLearning authoring tool is a software application that helps you create digital content for eLearning courses quickly and efficiently. These tools are designed to simplify the development process, allowing you to create interactive and engaging online learning materials without extensive programming or technical skills.

There are multiple rapid eLearning authoring tools on the market that allow you to create online training courses. Their ease of use makes it so that even eLearning developers without prior experience can create engaging online training materials.

But while these tools do assure eLearning developers of a quick turnaround, do they really save you money in the long run? And does the convenience factor compromise the quality of your deliverable? Let’s look at 6 ways these austerity measures can be implemented so that you can cut online training costs.

1. Start with an eLearning storyboard

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. In the world of eLearning, not starting with a plan can lead to unnecessary expenditure. Before you put down any money, design a thorough eLearning storyboard. It should contain all the details of your online training course, including online training modules, content summaries, teaching methods, and prescribed testing options.

The eLearning storyboard will guide you on the elements needed for the online training course, from the look-and-feel to the online training activities. This, in turn, will help you pick the right rapid eLearning authoring tool. You will avoid extraneous spending on features you don’t need. It will also prevent you from having to buy additional software. If you have the eLearning storyboard from the get-go, you’ll be fully equipped.

2. Minimize your labor costs

If you’re creating an online training course from scratch, you may be told that a specialized team is necessary. You’ll require instructional designers, programmers, curriculum developers, testers, content creators, and other eLearning experts. While these teams can give you an exclusive customized product, you may not always have the time or budget.

Rapid eLearning authoring tools offer viable shortcuts to some of these roles. While you can’t bypass eLearning content development, you can use stock footage and pre-set code. These can create some of the more standard elements of your online training course.

Automated rapid eLearning authoring tools usually come with a pre-built collection of images, badges, charts, graphs, and animations that you can customize. Otherwise, you can easily integrate curated content and then use the rapid eLearning authoring tool to personalize the aesthetic.

3. Identify a single rapid eLearning authoring tool

Every rapid eLearning authoring tool has its own set of features. Some are good with photographic images, while others prefer clip art and animated visuals. Some have a rich audio depository, while others have mini-game sections.

As you work through your online training course, you may come up with new ideas and executions. You might then discover your tool lacks the features you want. Starting with an eLearning storyboard helps to prevent this eventuality.

From the beginning, you’ll know what functionalities you want, and you can pick a tool that has all of them. If at this point you realize something is lacking, consider add-ons or upgrades. This can save you the expense of a new rapid eLearning authoring tool, as you’re able to substitute or improvise where you can.

4. eLearning templates are your friend

Another time-saving tool is to use an eLearning template—you may find that your idea has been explored before. Or that your rapid authoring tool has a theme you can fine tune to suit your needs.

Browse through our course template library to see if there’s one that fits your overall concept. It doesn’t have to be exactly what you want, but if it covers your key features, you can use it and adapt it as you see fit.

Applying an eLearning template reduces costs by cutting down creation hours. You can then use your time on other projects—divert the saved hourly costs to another part of the eLearning project.

5. Utilize rapid eLearning authoring tool libraries

Of course, eLearning templates do have one downside—if you use the cookie-cutter approach, you’re likely to duplicate an eLearning course that’s already in existence. To avoid this, customize the eLearning template to align with your needs and brand image.

It could be a simple fix, like including your logo, motto, and colors. You can also execute deeper digressions from the online training course stencil.

Explore the online asset library available in your rapid eLearning authoring tool. It will have thousands of ways to differentiate your online training course.

It could be a different design for an online assessment or an unusual sound effect for your compliance pop quiz. You might even find unexpected characters for your game or simulation.

6. Keep your rapid eLearning authoring tool updated

Once you’ve invested in a rapid eLearning authoring tool, keep an eye on any updates or upgrades. They’re usually offered for free, and often have new features and bug fixes.

Over time, the software can be upgraded so much that it’s virtually a new product. This saves you the expense of buying new tools and offers you a wider range of authoring options. Another advantage of upgrading your rapid eLearning authoring tools is that it’s easier to tweak your existing online training course.

If you switch to a new rapid eLearning authoring tool, your online training course may not be compatible with its systems. You’d end up starting all over again, losing time, and using labor. Sign up for the newsletter or notifications when you initially buy your software—this way you’ll catch all their updates.

Innovate, educate, save

Rapid eLearning authoring tools can help you release your online training course faster and more efficiently. Start with a deep-dive into your eLearning storyboard. This will identify all the tools and components you need.

Then choose a top-notch rapid eLearning authoring tool that has multiple features, thereby reducing your labor costs. Build your online training material around an eLearning template, and use the rapid eLearning authoring tool library to customize and tweak it.

These 6 tips can help you cut costs and increase the effectiveness of your online training program.