AuthoringTools

AuthoringTools are software applications used to create digital content for education, training, marketing, and documentation. They enable authors to assemble text, graphics, audio, video, and interactive elements into structured courses, books, or guides, often with minimal or no programming.

Categories include e-learning authoring tools that produce web-deliverable courses, with features such as branching scenarios, quizzes, and responsive design; print or document authoring tools for manuals and guides; and multimedia or game authoring tools for interactive experiences. Many tools offer templates, asset libraries, and publish options to formats like HTML5, SCORM, or xAPI.

Interoperability is common via standards such as SCORM, xAPI (Tin Can), and cmi5, enabling tracking of learner progress within a learning management system. Output may be SCORM-compliant packages, HTML5 courses, interactive PDFs, or web-app components. Accessibility and responsive design are increasingly emphasized.

Use cases include corporate training, higher education, and non-profit outreach. Cloud-based tools enable collaborative authoring and centralized asset management; desktop tools can function offline, with publishing options to LMS or public web.

Notable examples include Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Lectora Inspire, iSpring Suite, Rise 360, and Elucidat.