Developing training materials is the hardest job in corporate training. Developing high-quality content demands an investment of time and resources. With cloud based authoring tools, the effort that goes into training has reduced greatly. Thanks to the advancements in the learning and development industry.
For course content development, this technology was e-Learning authoring tools software. Loaded with e-Learning templates, interactivities, themes etc authoring tools have reduced the time and effort in developing result-driven course content. Traditional self-hosted authoring tools work well if there is a designer developing content. The problem starts where a number of resources need to collaborate.
Although Cloud based authoring tools solve this problem, there are some concerns surrounding cloud eLearning authoring tools. There is a bit of inertia among businesses that have been using self-hosted authoring tools. If you too are unsure about switching to cloud based writing tool, this article will help you.
Let’s us first begin with getting a thorough understanding of cloud based writing tools:
Useful information on cloud based authoring tools
The name of the tool is pretty self-explanatory. Being based on the cloud allows developers to add several new features to their tool. With these tools, instructional designers can create and access a common online content repository to collaborate and create instructional content.
Some Benefits of using cloud based authoring tools
Cloud based tools come with a number of advantages. Some of the most noteworthy in the list are:
Collaboration:
The collaboration capabilities of cloud based tools are arguably the most substantial advantage of these tools. Cloud based authoring tools enable stakeholders to review and rectify content in real-time thereby increasing productivity.
Tracking:
To track the learner’s progress, cloud bases tools are equipped with xAPI capabilities. Instructors can now track how learners are interacting with the course. Thereby helping them shift focus to the training modules or students requiring special attention.
Quick Implementation:
Making changes and implementing them in a “live” course is extremely fast with online authoring tools. This helps in new product rollouts or updation in compliance requirements where organizations are bound by strict timelines to deliver course materials
Data Protection:
Data stored in the company’s hard drive is always at risk. After all, there is a reason we all fear the infamous blue screen of death. Cloud based solutions mitigate this risk by storing all your course content on the cloud. Moreover, for businesses offering cloud based authoring tools, data security is a serious concern and most have dedicated resources that work tirelessly to ensure your data remains protected.
The pricing structure of cloud based authoring tools
Cloud based tools are priced on a “per user” basis. But, there are a couple of exceptions and complications that one must know before investing.
- Some tools have different prices for instructor and learner accounts.
- Many cloud based tools offer a licensing plan for larger businesses that want to engage several users with the authoring tool
Conclusion
While comparing authoring tools, make sure the features they offer align with your training and content development goals. Moreover, the pricing also plays a critical role in this decision. For instance, the pay-per-use model of pricing may suit well for freelancing instructional designers but entrepreneurs may find them limiting.
