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If you search for free tools for creating e-learning, you will be surprised by how many free programs and free applications you will find on the Internet. It is even a little frightening and confusing, because one does not know which tool is best and where to invest effort when creating an e-learning course. We offer a course for creating e-learning, which you can enroll in at any time IF YOU CLICK HERE.
In this article we will stick to easy-to-use content creation programs and will point out free ones.
1. Videos or video clips
Video content is the most used element in e-learning. Video is an easy and effective way of transferring information. Most people have the ability to record HD video on their mobile phone. In addition, free screen recording tools such as screencast-o-matic make it easy to capture video from the computer screen. This video content, combined with a free video editor such as Windows Movie Maker or iMovie for Mac, allows you to seamlessly create dynamic video content.
Professional advice
If you are going to create more than one e-learning course and you will need to record the screen repeatedly, it is worth trying Camtasia Studio. Camtasia Studio is a screencapture program that allows you to create videos in AVI, MOV, WMV, RM or MPG format. It offers many special effects and allows you to immediately edit or narrate the videos you have just created. Through it you can add comments in specific places in the video content, delete parts of the clip or add others. Through it you can create easy-to-use video tests. For $299 the program offers quite a lot for the money. However, if you need to edit video at a professional level, then Adobe Premier is the program that offers everything needed to produce world-class e-learning and electronic content.
2. Converting HTML to SCORM format
If you have an existing HTML course, or know how to use a tool like Dreamweaver, you can easily build the course content from HTML. With the free HTML2 SCORM tool you can convert your HTML content into a SCORM 1.2 compatible package that will work in any SCORM-compatible LMS.
Professional advice
HTML is great because it works on any device that has a browser. HTML is amazingly flexible, so you can easily add interactivity using JavaScript, CSS and HTML 5. The possibilities are literally endless.
3. Using files in PowerPoint, Excel and Word format.
Making files available for download and viewing can do the job. We have clients who create online courses even without combinations of files such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word. For Excel files this can actually be a big benefit for users, because you can create interactive forms that they can fill in, print and/or save locally for reuse.
Professional advice
One of the biggest drawbacks of this approach is compatibility. Many users, especially on mobile devices, do not have support for file types such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word. Since the files must be downloaded for the user to open them, this will also allow users to share content without your permission.
4. Use PDF files
PDF files are still a great way to present e-learning content. They are easy to create and work on almost any type of device. Moreover, for those interested in usability, their content can easily be processed by screen reader software. The latest version of Windows and Mac have built-in PDF converters that allow you to easily convert any printable content to PDF.
Professional advice
PDF software such as Adobe Acrobat supports JavaScript and also allows you to create interactive forms. This gives you several additional options to make your content more attractive and interesting.
5. E-learning created through built-in tools of a Learning Management System / LMS
E-courses created through the built-in tools of an e-learning platform - LMS
Most learning management systems (LMS) offer built-in tools for building e-courses, tests and content creation. For example, our learning management system based on ILIAS.DE allows you to create courses with texts, videos and images, built-in tests, quizzes, forums, classrooms, surveys, quizzes, feedback forms and HTML content. In some learning management systems these functions are built in, so they are quick and easy to use. The other system you can use, and we can install and configure for you, is Moodle. It also has a module for creating interactive training courses.
Professional advice
Be careful when using the built-in features. Some systems retain rights to the resources used or do not allow export or transfer of the courses.
Would you like us to help you create training courses? You can contact us at tel.: +359 878 685 304, e-mail: office@nitbg.com.
6. Use iSpring Free
Do you know how to create an e-course through PowerPoint? iSpring Free makes it easy to convert your PowerPoint presentation into a SCORM-compatible package that you can upload and track in your learning management system.
Professional advice
The free version is great, but if you need audio narration, you will have to buy the paid version ($297 with a lifetime license).
7. Professional programs Articulate and Captivate / Articulate and Captivate have a free trial period
Some of the best tools for creating e-learning are Articulate and Captivate. They can help you create engaging training by allowing you to add narration that includes videos, texts and animations. Their prices are a bit intimidating, but both programs offer a free one-month trial period, which is usually enough to create your online course.
Professional advice
With the 30-day trial period, if your plan is to publish the e-course without buying a license, then make sure you have prepared all the content, audio, video and other resources before installing the trial version. If you have chosen this course of action, know that future changes to the course (after 30 days) will require purchasing a license. Although neither software package is cheap, I believe the features they offer are very valuable.
Learn how to create interactive content for online courses.
If you have a responsible project related to training many people, with a deadline for implementation and high requirements for execution and the goals to be achieved, you can without hesitation contact us and inquire about our e-learning development services.
