Over the past few years, there is a visible shift in the leaning from PC and desktops to mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, iPad, etc. To accommodate this shift, the rapid authoring tools have improved and updated their features to develop responsive mobile learning solutions. From designing courses for desktop screens, the authoring tools of today allow you to design modules for any screen size with the responsive learning.
If you are out in the market exploring the options for a good mobile rapid authoring tool, I am sure that you are facing the problem of plenty. In my previous blog post, I had written about the tips to choose the best eLearning authoring tools and due to a good number of requests from the readers, I am writing this blog to share 7 tips to choose the right authoring tool for mobile learning.
1.Evaluate your learners
It is very important to understand who you are building the course for and from which device the course will be accessed. If you are having a mobile-first audience or learners, I recommend choosing the authoring that tool that helps you to design with a mobile-first design approach(mobile first is creating content for the mobile first before the desktop ).
But if your objective is just to develop e-learning modules that can run across the devices including mobile devices, I recommend choosing the rapid authoring tool that supports developing e-learning modules in a responsive design approach
A mobile first design approach will ensure that it can work smoothly across the mobile devices and thus helps to provide an amazing mobile learning experience to the learners.
For example, If you are designing the e-learning modules for your sales team who are on the field chasing down the magical target numbers, a mobile-first design is recommended
For them, it becomes very difficult to access the learning contents through a PC or desktop and a mobile-first design will guarantee an enriching learning experience.
2. Mobile publishing formats
With various operating systems available in the market for mobile devices, it is very essential to ensure that the authoring tools are able to publish the contents in the popular mobile output formats like HTML5, Android and iOS.
3.User friendliness
Every e-learning authoring tool describes various amazing features and benefits, but what can matter the most is the ease of use of these features and functions. While developing mobile learning, ensure that the authoring tool is user-friendly. Navigating through complex functions of the tool to develop mobile learning solutions is not recommended as it can waste the time and effort of the users
4.Availability of Trial versions
Most of the e-learning authoring tools allow potential customers to try out their latest released trial version. The trial version might be with some disabled features but is still worth to try and use, as it helps the developers to understand if the software is able to fulfill the requirements of both the developers as well as the learners.
5. Future Proof
While choosing the authoring tool, ensure that the learning tool is future proof. With technologies updated regularly, care should be taken to ensure that the chosen authoring tool brings up faster updates like allowing the users to include VR , AR , 360 degree videos in the mobile learning
6.Support and Maintenance
While choosing the authoring tool, the organisation should review the policies on support and maintenance.
The management should thoroughly review the terms and conditions of the support being offered from the software developers and make sure that you are clear and satisfied with it.
7. Research all the options
Above all else, the most invaluable tip is to do your own research. Look into every option that is available to you, every e-learning software product that fits into your budget, and assess all of their features and drawbacks before you make your final decision.
While the websites of the various authoring tools will provide you the detailed information about the respective authoring tools. I recommend doing an independent search on blogs, forums etc to understand what do the users feel about these tools.
These were the seven handpicked tips to choose the right authoring tool for mobile learning. Feel free to share your suggestions and recommendation using the comment box below.
