5 Tools Used by Instructional Designers
Are you considering a career in instructional design or wanting to level up your skills as an instructional designer? If so, then it's essential to understand the available tools and how they can help instructional designers create compelling learning experiences. From authoring devices to collaboration software, an array of options exists. This blog will cover five of instructional designers' most popular tools today. No matter your experience level or professional skill set, these incredible resources can offer something useful for everyone interested in instruction design.
What Is Instructional Design Software?
Instructional design software has become indispensable for educators and trainers looking to create effective learning experiences. The software offers a range of features designed to enable the development, delivery, and evaluation of courses and training programs. Some key features in popular instructional design software include content creation tools, preexisting templates and themes, assessment creation tools, and analytics tools. These features allow instructional designers to create engaging and practical lessons and course materials, track learner progress and performance, and make data-driven decisions to improve learning outcomes. By leveraging the power of instructional design software, educators and trainers can create engaging, interactive learning experiences and ensure their learners are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
Best Instructional Design Software and Tools
When creating effective and engaging e-learning courses, selecting the right instructional design software and tools is vital. The best software options on the market today include:
1. Adobe Captivate
Adobe Captivate is a versatile and powerful tool that aids instructional designers in creating interactive and engaging e-learning content. Its purpose is to simplify content creation, enhance learning experiences, and tailor courses to the needs of individual learners. Captivate allows designers to incorporate multimedia elements such as audio, video, and animation into their e-learning modules, making them more engaging and retaining learners' attention. In addition, Captivate offers adaptive learning through responsive design, where courses can adjust to fit any device's screen size, allowing learners to access courses on the go. With its analytics and tracking feature, Captivate provides data on learner engagement and course effectiveness, allowing designers to improve their systems based on user feedback.
2. Articulate 360
Articulate 360 is a complete e-learning authoring tool that allows instructional designers to create engaging and interactive courses for desktop and mobile devices. Its purpose is to help designers develop high-quality, user-friendly, and visually appealing content so learners can engage more effectively with the material. Articulate 360 is integrated with powerful graphics and media tools, allowing designers to create and edit visuals and audio tracks easily. In addition, it offers a library of templates and characters for easy customization. Articulate 360 also provides extensive publishing and sharing options so learners can access it in various formats, including web, LMS, and mobile devices.
3. Brainshark
Brainshark is an effective and efficient instructional design tool that allows trainers and designers to create multimedia presentations that are engaging, interactive, and easy to understand. The purpose of Brainshark is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and to provide learners with a clear and concise understanding of complex concepts. By creating interactive courses with this software, trainers can efficiently deliver lessons that engage learners and hold their attention. The benefits of Brainshark include its flexibility, as it can be accessed from any device; its data tracking capabilities, which provide insights into which lessons are most effective; and its ease of use, which allows designers to create lessons with ease and speed.
4. iSpring Suite
iSpring Suite is a powerful software tool that enables instructional designers to create interactive and engaging e-learning content. This suite intends to simplify the process of creating e-learning content without compromising the quality or effectiveness of the content. It allows for the development of multimedia-rich courses for multiple platforms and devices. This suite also provides interactive simulations, quizzes, surveys, and assessments, critical components of the instructional design process. Additionally, iSpring Suite reduces production time and increases productivity by offering templates, scenarios, and interactions.
5. Lectora
Lectora is a comprehensive authoring tool that allows instructional designers to create engaging and interactive e-learning modules customized to meet specific learning objectives. The goal of Lectora is to provide a sophisticated, user-friendly platform on which designers can easily create rich media and interactive content, from quizzes and games to simulations and scenario-based learning. Lectora is highly flexible and customizable, allowing designs to tailor content to each student’s needs, objectives, and styles.
How to Choose the Right Instructional Design Software
With so many options available, it's essential to consider your needs and goals when choosing instructional design software. Some critical criteria to remember are ease of use, functionality, and compatibility with your current software and systems. Look for software that offers a range of features including video and audio recording, built-in templates, and the ability to create interactive quizzes and assessments. Consider your budget and the level of support you require such as access to training materials or customer service. Finding the right instructional design software will enable you to effectively develop and deliver dynamic learning experiences that will engage and empower your learners.
How to Gain Practical Experience with Instructional Design Software
If you're looking to gain practical experience with instructional design software, several options are available. One popular way to learn is to seek out online tutorials and courses catering to your particular software. These should not only allow you to learn about different design features, but also provide opportunities to practice using the software in real-world applications. You may also consider finding an internship or job that allows you to work with instructional design software daily. This is an excellent way to gain valuable experience while building your professional network.
Additionally, obtaining a degree in the field can be a significant investment in your career. Not only does an advanced degree make you more employable, but it also offers better chances of getting promoted and achieving career growth. Through coursework on user interface design, instructional materials development, and media selection, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the design process and how it can be applied to various contexts, whether creating websites, training materials, or educational resources. Remember, the key to gaining practical experience with any software is to be patient and dedicated in your efforts.
Stay Ahead
As an instructional designer, you know just how important it is to stay ahead of the curve in the world of education. With a Master of Education in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU, you can be sure to get access to the latest, most industry-focused knowledge and training to help you create compelling, engaging learning experiences. WGU's online teaching model emphasizes flexibility and self-direction, allowing you to tailor your education to fit your unique needs and learning style. By earning your degree from WGU, you can position yourself as a leader in your field and gain the skills and knowledge you need to create dynamic, effective learning solutions that drive results.
