What Are Authoring Tools, And Why Should You Use Them?

Are you wondering why authoring tools should be something you need to consider in the eLearning space? If you're new to the Learning Management System (LMS) world and unsure of the jargon that goes alongside it, we're going to help you understand the best authoring software you can use right now.

To sum it up, an authoring tool is software that exists either standalone or alongside an online training platform. It enables users to create eLearning content using various forms of media.

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Online training platforms offer various tools and features to help you grow your business and team at scale. Of all the different offerings, a training content authoring tool is arguably the most powerful for online training platforms, which takes on manipulating multimedia objects to create multimedia applications quickly.

Authoring tools do several things for online training processes:

• Bridge the gap between experienced and amateur trainers
• Rapid content authoring tools accelerate training delivery
• Allows for rich and interactive training creation that your team will enjoy
• Enable the conversion of legacy content into online training

Below we've gathered a brief history of how authoring tools began and what some earlier applications were. We'll also provide some great examples of how you can use authoring tools to grow your team.

What are authoring tools?

Understanding what is authoring might sound more complicated than it really is. As mentioned above, the interactive multimedia software titles will help you create online eLearning content.

As course authoring software, eLearning authoring tools typically offer very niche content templates that can improve training content. These training templates are built on proven training practices by experts and offer valuable psychological backing to create compelling pieces of learning content.

By 1999, the SCORM authoring tool (Shareable content object reference model)standard was the first specifications for eLearning authoring tools. Though it wasn't until 2004 that the standard was globally accepted, a SCORM based authoring tool is still used as the basis for eLearning platform content creation.

Examples of authoring systems

Authoring systems can be broken down into two categories:

• Original content authoring tools
• An all in one online training platform or LMS

Original content eLearning authoring tool

The original content eLearning authoring tool allows you to create content from scratch with little to no media to start with. Adobe Captivate is one of the most commonly known authoring tools that sit within this space. Typically requiring some training design experience, these tools have a high learning curve but can create captivating content (pun intended).

All in one online training platform

Learning management systems (LMS) or online training platforms often offer an authoring tool pre-built into the platform. This type of training course authoring software works excellent within the platform to create content that maximizes your delivery and assessment features. These are great entry points for authoring tools because they typically have a lower learning curve to utilize.

💡 Pro Tip: Still weighing the pros and cons of an authoring tool? Check out a complete guide on buying an LMS with Built-in Authoring Tool and learn which option is best for you!

How does an authoring tool benefit you?

Your team and business growth should always be a foundation for any training or authoring process. Authoring tools and software programs can help by rapidly creating training, shortening the time and resources needed to deliver a process.

So what are the benefits of a rapid authoring system for your online training process? Check out our blog on 3 Reasons you Need an Authoring Tool if you need more reasons to understanding the authoring system!

According to Brandon Hall Group, a survey of 10,000 companies found that:

• 31% are worried they won't be able to create learning content fast enough
• They also found that deploying an authoring software program can reduce training creation time by 20%
• 45% of companies leverage on-the-job exercises as part of their training. An authoring system allows you to create shareable content that can be accessed from anywhere
• Over 53% of businesses stated an authoring tool was their top technology for online training in addition to or part of an all in one online training platform or LMS
• Only 6% of training content is currently designed for mobile learning. By using a training content authoring tool, you can create your training so that it will be accessible through mobile devices.

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The power of a rapid content authoring tool

Gone are the days when course authoring tools used to be a nightmare to navigate. With recent improvements to technology, you can author original content in a matter of moments with an electronic document.

A training content authoring tool like Coassemble leverages eLearning templates that contain powerful tools built into the platform.

How an authoring tool can bridge the gap for inexperienced training designers to create rich content is in the heart of these templates. eLearning templates can include a variety of different authoring tool options for content including:

• Text, image, and video media tools
• Engaging presentations
• Interactive content with challenges and hot spots
• Checkpoint questions, quizzes, and exams
• And more!

Using templates that training design experts created in an authoring tool can easily create engaging content for your team. Best of all? These tools won't break the bank and often develop a wealth of time-saving resources your team will benefit from through the power of content management!

Want even more information on how this powerful tool can be used? Check out our full blog on Authoring to get even more ideas on leveraging course creation software.

We hope this helps you learn a little more about what is an authoring tool. These powerful content creation tools can help anyone build more effective and engaging training for teams. For even more ideas on how to make a successful training process, chat with us today! Our experts have tons of experience in helping customers find the best use case for their online training needs.

Why not start with our free trial to help you onto the path of combing your training into our powerful and easy-to-use authoring tool.