10 SCORM Authoring Tools for E-learning

In this vast domain of e-learning, ensuring that your content is consistent, versatile, and available on various platforms is hard but don’t worry SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) Authoring Tools got your back.

With SCORM the material becomes versatile and smooth. It ensures user-friendly and consistent content.

Several SCORM Authoring Tools have emerged over the years to help you out and make your e-learning easily accessible and reusable. you are easily sharing which also tracks your performances.  

This blog is to introduce you to some of the many such efficient tools so that you can choose the best for your needs. 

What are SCORM Authoring Tools?

SCORM stands for Sharable Content Object Reference Model. Tools for SCORM Authoring are software that can be used by users to create and maintain web-based training material that follows SCORM. These tools make it simple to develop, organize, and distribute e-learning content.

It communicates usage data with the LMS for example if a learner logs into a specific course in a SCORM module that module will set success criteria for the course and then communicate that if idea was meant. It sets standards that confirm that e-learning content is complementary to various learning management systems (LMS).  

The two main components of SCORM are Sharable Content which refers to data that can be reused on various platforms if understood by all compatible learning platforms and tools and the other is Reference Model which means that SCORM sets standards for e-learning confirming consistent understanding across all users in the field. There are two types of SCORM Authoring Tools one is Cloud- based the other is a Desktop Authoring Tool. 

There are three versions of SCORM 1.1, 1.2, and 2004 each with its benefits but only 1.2 and 2004 are used widely, and 1.1 is not that popular and the latest version of SCORM is xAPI. 

Types of SCORM Authoring Software

You will need to choose between two types:

• Desktop programs: These are software solutions, as the name implies, that you must install on your desktop; internet access is unnecessary for them to work. Typically, these software packages include more sophisticated features and customizable settings.

• Cloud-based software: These are browser-based applications that you can use. Dependent on the internet for operation, they are somewhat portable compared to their desktop counterparts. They are more appropriate for remote teams, even though the majority of them lack sophisticated functionality.

How to Use a SCORM Authoring Tool

The creation of e-learning materials that work with the majority of LMSs requires the usage of SCORM authoring software. To assist you in getting started with a SCORM authoring tool, follow these easy steps:

• Choose a tool that fits your needs and budget – Find the finest SCORM authoring tool for you by researching options that fit your demands and budget. 

• Activate your account –If you’re using a SCORM authoring tool, the process will vary depending on whether it’s cloud-based or desktop-based. For cloud-based tools, create an account and add users so they may begin producing material. If you’re using a desktop SCORM authoring tool, launch the program after downloading.

• Create a new project, and choose a template or start from scratch – The time has come to begin content creation! Whether you’re an eLearning professional or just starting, a SCORM authoring tool can streamline the process. Using your writing tool, you can either start from scratch or select a pre-made template to kick off a new project. To ensure consistency, establish any trademark styles as soon as possible

• Add your content –Now for the important part – your writing. To make your information easy for your students to understand, make sure it is concise and delicious. Remember to incorporate stimulating interactions to keep your students’ attention. 

• Invite your team to review –When you are satisfied with your material, your team should review it. You can share it with them in a few ways: export a SCORM file for them to upload to a learning management system (LMS), provide an online link to access the course materials directly, or simply invite them to join the authoring platform itself. 

Key Features of SCORM Authoring Tools 

SCORM Compatibility 

As it also standardizes the content it should ensure that it meets the standards of the industry for which the user is creating content. 

User-friendly 

Rather than being more technical, it should focus on how it can make things easy for a user to understand and learn and simplify content for all levels of learners. 

Accessibility 

To reach a wider audience the content must always be accessible, at all levels and all places so that it improves learner’s satisfaction and need. 

Content Creation 

It should allow you to create your content and include elements like quizzes, questionnaires, and more to your content so that it increases creativity and elevates the learning experience of the user. 

Tracking and Reporting 

It should track users’ performance and report the results of it so the user knows its improvements and drawbacks and so that he/she can improve if necessary and will enable them to know their strengths and weaknesses. 

10 Best SCORM Authoring Tools 

1. Articulate 360 

Type: cloud-based  

SCORM version supported: 1.2, 2004 

Platform: Windows, MacOS 

Price: $1,199/yr. for individual & $1,499/yr. for teams 

Articulate 360 was founded by Adam Schwartz in 2002. It was created to give a whole solution for creating e-learning content. it helps in creating interactive quizzes assessments, multimedia integration, and try to create an amazing e-learning experience.

It is comprised of eight applications which are Articulate Storyline 360, Rise 360, Review 360, Content Library 360, Studio 360, Replay 360, Peek 360, and Articulate 360 Training each of them has its different purpose and usage.  

Its Features 

1. Easy Authoring- It is known for its intuitive user interface, already-built templates, modern text rendering, object editing enhancements, slide view toggle, versatile color themes, auto recovery, and easy timeline management. 
2. Media & Simulations- it does screen recording and software simulations and has a media library and multimedia support. 
3. Assessments- enhance user’s performance by providing form-based questions, freeform questions, negative scoring, question bank, and result slide. 
4. Player- it is a responsive player, with HTML5 Gestures, responsive playback restrictions, modern player 
5. Previewing & Publishing- it provides a responsive preview, preview of selected scenes and slides, LRS support, and HTML5 output. 

2. Adobe Captivate 

Type: Desktop with some cloud-based feature 

SCORM version supported: 1.2, 2004 

Platform: Mac, Windows 

Price: $33.99/month & $1,299 one-time purchase 

Adobe Captivate was initially developed by Macromedia as RoboDemo in 2002 but then became Captivate after it was acquired by Adobe in 2005.

It helps in making it appropriate for complex training programs and software simulations with the help of responsive and engaging content with productive features and innovative visual appearances. 

Its Features 

1. Productivity – It has ready-made layout slides, a simplified interaction panel, an easily closed caption, modern text-to-speech, native audio editing, Adobe Spectrum user experience, and a CSV question import template. 
2. Visual Appearance- Infinite scrolls, elegant design options, ready-to-go slides, extensive image editing, engaging animations, and stylish text presets which make it visually appealing. 
3. Interactive- It has software simulations, interactive videos, overlay slides, and bookmarks which make the user feel interactive. 
4. Collaborative- it has options for sharing for review and precise commenting which helps users to collaborate with other users. 

3. Elucidat 

Type: cloud-based 

SCORM version supported: 1.2, 2004 

Platform: windows and mac 

Price: $899/yr. for silver, $1299/yr. for gold, $1599/yr. for a platinum suite. 

Elucidat is an authoring tool that was developed by Steve Penfold, Simon Greany, and Phil Mary in 2013. It focuses on collaboration and adaptability.

It allows users to create engaging content by giving them the choice of customization, and collaboration, and making it user management also helps users to publish, integrate, and analyze their performance. 

Its Features 

1. Rapid & Simplified Authoring- it is simplified and organized, provides screen and camera recording, enhances with AI, is multi-device friendly, and helps in project structuring. 
2. Customizable Content- it is audio and video embedded, builds questions into video, helps gather live feedback and it also has a polling system and content personalization. 
3. Collaboration and user management- it comments on the audit trail, provides external reviews, reviews workflow, and also shows admin team dashboards to centralize your users in the dashboard, editable user roles, and standard user roles.  
4. Publishing, Integration, and analysis/LXP integration, get detailed information about any user, can sync course data to your LRS, option of re-releasing your updated course without re-upload, and also provide URL release. 
5. Security- provide options such as disaster recovery, data protection, single sign-on, encryption, secure hosting, ISO27001. 

4. Lectora 

Type: both cloud-based and desktop versions are available 

SCORM version supported: 1.2, 2004 

Platform: windows 

Price: starting at $899/yr.  

Lectora was founded by Trivantis Cooperation in 1999. An e-learning tool is known for its flexibility. Helps in creating engaging content, it’s easy to use, and provides quizzes and assessments to track the user’s performance. 

Its Features 

1. Interactive– as it contains creative themes, style packs, page layouts, and more. 
2. Easy to use- built-in navigations and directions. 
3. Swift & efficient- it provides compliant training by templates, imports existing content, includes real-life scenarios, and access to the media library, and adds assessments and quizzes. 
4. Assessments and Quizzes- it creates interactive assessments and quizzes including multiple choice questions, true or false, matching, etc. for the user to test themselves without getting bored.  

5. iSpring Suite 

Type: desktop authoring tool 

SCORM version supported: 1.2, 2004 

Platform: windows 

Price: $770/yr. 

iSpring Suit was developed in 2001 by Yury Uskov. This authoring tool is an add-on of PowerPoint that helps the user to create engaging courses with the help of interactive quizzes, questionnaires, and screen recording all in PowerPoint itself so that the user won’t have to leave the platform. It provides everything on this platform itself. 

Its Features 

1. PowerPoint Integration- this integration allows the user to create engaging courses, quizzes, and content without leaving the PowerPoint interface. 
2. iSpring Quiz Maker- it helps create interactive quizzes and will be able to test users’ knowledge and help collect data on the performance 
3. iSpring Talk Master- it helps create dialogue simulations and design real-life scenarios which help users to experience communication in all situations. 
4. Screen Recording- enables the creation of video tutorials and engagement in presentations. 
5. iSpring flip & max- simplify content with multimedia interface improve educating material and interact with learners more. 

6. DominKnow Learning System  

Type: cloud-based

SCORM version supported: 

Platform: web-based 

Price: custom pricing 

DominKnow Learning System was developed by Luke Hickey in 1997. It is an e-learning authoring app that supports responsive and engaging content creation, collaboration, and publishing in multiple formats and helps in the distribution of content. 

Its Features 

1. Authoring – creating interactive content including software lessons helps with in-built templates that can be customized. 
2. Dynamic publishing and delivery- efficient delivery of both formal and informal learning with a safe cloud-based multichannel publishing engine. 
3. Collaboration – complete projects faster with inbuilt collaborative tools. 
4. Accessibility- ensures the whole audience that the content is accessible and is standardized  
5. Translation and Responsive- simplifies the process of translating to a global audience and designing content as per any device excludes the limitations. 

7. Camtasia 

Type: Desktop Authoring tool 

SCORM version supported:1.2 

Platform: windows, mac 

Price: $299.99 one-time purchase 

Camtasia was founded by William Hamilton and developed by TechSmith in 1987. It is software developed to create professional-quality engaging videos with several features such as screen recording, image editor, and video capturing. Provides easy file sharing and search options which makes it easy for the users to authorize the app and create interactive e-learning content. 

Its Features 

1. Platform Basics- it provides features such as video capturing from their screen, webcam, or both which is important for creating tutorials, presentations, etc. It also lets the user image editor which allows editing images directly in Camtasia. 
2. Platform Content- it provides the option to screen record which allows the user to record anything important on the video screen. 
3. Platform Additional Functionality- provides feature such as file sharing with which after finishing you can share the file directly from Camtasia to any platform such as YouTube, Google Drive, etc., and includes the option of search feature which allows the user to search any tool, function within the platform along with the content creating process. 
4. Editing- it provides options to make the content interactive and creative such as audio mixing, transcription, text animation, time mapping, clip editing title and caption overlays, and watermarks 
5. Platform- it provides the options of operating system compatibility, format compatibility, and team review. 

8. Easygenerator 

Type: cloud-based 

SCORM version supported: 1.2, 2004 

Platform:  

Price: starting at $87/month 

Easygenerator was first found in 1996 but the version that is used today was relaunched with the current SaaS version by Kasper Spiro in 2013. It is a transforming e-learning creation by includes AI which allows users to easily authorize and allows experts to create appropriate learning matters. 

Its Features 

1. Transform E-Learning Creation- AI-powered creation-made templates, import PowerPoint, Course auto-translation, collaboration within real-time, performance support resources, drag-and-drop course creation, and course device e-learning. 
2. Track- track your performance by providing assessments, course completion (pass-fail metrics, GradeBook, learner satisfaction survey 
3. Branding- provide course cover pages, font styles, themes, company branded templates, add company logo 
4. Localization- do it by 12 interface languages for authors, 41 interface languages for learners, course auto-translation, and XLIFF Import/ Export 
5. Publish- by publishing it to EdCast/Degreed, xAPI Support, Private Link, QR Code, SCORM EXPORT, etc. 

9. Gomo Learning 

Type: cloud-based 

SCORM version supported: 1.2, 2004 

Platform: windows, mac 

Price: custom pricing 

Gomo Learning was founded in 2013 by Mike Alcock in 2013. It helps in course organization in a well-mannered way with visually appealing features that work easily and efficiently on any device with built-in tools to help [the user track their records. 

Its Features 

1. Course Organization- organize your courses in folders and sub-folders to organize them and make them easily accessible. 
2. Flexible Layout Control- design your screen as per your choice as there are no rigid rules to Gomo. 
3. Course Duplication & Transfer- users can duplicate courses in their account to make a completely new course and they can also transfer copies of the courses between connected accounts 
4. Screen Navigation Controls- Gomo provides customizable navigation features, such as pagination and scrolling. Customize screen-level navigation controls, display settings, and extras such as Help and Resources. 
5. QR Code Preview- users can use an in-built QR Code to preview those courses on any device. 

10. Adapt Learning 

Type: cloud-based 

SCORM version supported: 1.2, 2004 

Platform: windows, mac 

Price: cost varies based on implementation and customization needs 

Adapt Learning was a collaborative project founded by a group of companies in 2013 which are Kineo, Learning Pool, and Sponge UK. It is a free open-source software that allows its users to customize with the help of responsive designs, and plug-ins and has a very good course management system.  

Its Features 

1. Free open-source software- allows users to modify the software as they need. 
2. Responsive Design- it is designed in a way that will adjust itself according to any device the user is using. 
3. Plug-ins- You can add your plug-ins and add them easily into the framework or the authoring tool. There are four types of plug-ins which are Components, Extensions, Menus, and Themes. 
4. Better course management- adapt also helps to create copies of courses, so you can create new courses based on the existing ones. 
5. Interactive Content- Supports a variety of interactive content such as quizzes, multimedia interface, etc. 

Pros of SCORM Authoring Tools 

1. Accessibility 

SCORM ensures consistent and standardized content on various platforms. It can be shared or uploaded from one device to another and can be accessed easily on any device at any place that has internet access.

2. Reusability 

As it is LMS-compatible it can be uploaded to various platforms and can be reused as many times as a user pleases for an individual, any industry, or any association. 

3. Learner Tracking 

With the help of assessments quizzes and different activities, user performance can be tracked and is an essential part of E-Learning platforms. 

Cons of SCORM Authoring Tools 

1. Expensive 

The cost of developing software such as SCORM can be quite expensive due to its specialized tools and skills. 

2. Technical Limitations 

As SCORM is an old version some devices may not support the latest devices and updated software. 

Limited ability to handle complex interactions 

SCORM is designed for simple interactions like multiple-choice questions and drag-and-drop exercises but struggles with complex interactions like branching scenarios and much more. 

A Final Note 

In a nutshell, SCORM is a critical standard for creating SCORM-ready e-learning content, ensuring accessibility across various Learning Management Systems (LMS). Numerous authoring tools support SCORM, including Articulate 360, Camtasia, and Elucidat (as explored in the linked blog). Choosing the right tool depends on your specific needs. Each offers unique features, pricing structures, and functionalities to consider when crafting your ideal e-learning content creation experience.

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