Supporting the Modern Workforce with Rapid Authoring Tools
The transformation and modernization of the workforce over the past year has become the new reality of employment in many industries. This workforce is comprised of a new generation of employees who work remotely, adhere to a relatively flexible work schedule, engage in virtual collaboration with multiple teams, and require minimal direct oversight.
However, the rise of the modern workforce does not come without challenges of its own. Distributed employees often require new software solutions to remain productive while working remotely. Some might be more prone to cybersecurity threats by using apps that are not authorized by their organization or violating other protocols, intentionally or unintentionally. They may even lack an immediate feedback mechanism or support network for real-time problem solving during critical moments. Most importantly, since this cohort is more likely to be scattered across regions and time zones, it can also be difficult to effectively engage them in learning.
Online self-paced learning resources can go a long way in helping the modern workforce overcome some of these inevitable challenges. Fortunately, the process of creating quick-turnaround, urgently needed courses and content has greatly evolved. The advent of rapid authoring tools has aided learning designers in their quest to address ever-changing global learning needs. But how do you differentiate between authoring tool and determine which features meet your specific learning requirements? The following are KGL’s the top five picks for rapid authoring tools designed with the modern workforce in mind.
Storyline 360
Perhaps the most popular rapid authoring tool of the decade comes from the Articulate 360 suite of apps: Storyline 360 can help you design engaging and interactive online learning for your employees in a short duration. Apart from being easy to learn and use, it offers a wide array of features, such as built-in content and assessment templates, interactivities, themes, and layouts. Especially useful is the built-in media library that hosts a wide assortment of images, icons, and characters (real-life and illustrated versions) to choose from.
Using these features, you can create interactive videos, simple animations, branched scenarios, and simulations that hold your learners’ attention. For instance, an interactive cybersecurity awareness course could help your employees learn the precautionary measures they need to take while working remotely to safeguard sensitive organizational data. You can even use the screen recording feature to create interactive systems training.
Adobe Captivate
The latest version of Adobe Captivate, which was released in 2019, is an impressive rapid authoring tool that can help you develop immersive and responsive training to facilitate the growth and development of your employees. This tool offers a built-in library of 360° images and Virtual Reality (VR) templates. It also allows you to import an existing video and add interactive elements like Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) at different points of the video. A virtual reality training created using this tool could help you onboard new employees by allowing them to take a virtual tour of the workplace.
Rise 360
Another offering from the Articulate 360 suite—Rise 360—is a basic, but powerful cloud-based rapid authoring tool that can help you create simple and responsive courses. Though it has limited interactive templates, they are highly effective for presenting content in a learner-friendly format. Further, being responsive, this tool can help you create self-paced trainings that today’s workforce can easily access via their mobile phones.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly option to transform your instructor-led training materials or performance support tools (slideshows, PDFs, and documents) to interactive online training, Articulate Rise 360 is a good choice. The fact that the cloud-based content can be easily updated or edited as and when required serves as an added perk.
iSpring
Because the iSpring suite integrates with PowerPoint, this tool has become an industry favorite in recent years. You can convert existing PPT-based classroom trainings directly into SCORM packages. Alternately, you can create a PPT using the iSpring suite, and its wide variety of interactive content and assessment templates. Post conversion, the PPT can be published and deployed on your organization’s Learning Management System (LMS) and made accessible to your global workforce.
Lectora
With a desktop as well as a scalable online version, Lectora has proved to be an impressive entrant in the rapid authoring tools market. Though it is a little more complex to use compared to its contemporaries, its versatility ensures that the effort is worthwhile. Apart from offering built-in templates and media, Lectora also allows you to customize online learning in many ways. Features such as intuitive navigation, responsive design, and compatibility with Virtual Reality (VR) platforms, make it one of the best rapid authoring tools for developing immersive learning solutions.
Organizations are increasingly adapting to remote working, and the use of rapid authoring tools is crucial to becoming more agile and responsive to the evolving learning needs of a distributed workforce. With the concept of traditional training being redefined for a new era, rapid authoring tools are the go-to solution for creating cost-effective and engaging experiences for your modern learners.
For more information on how KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd. can help you develop your modern workforce with rapid authoring tools, please contact info@kwglobal.com.
