The e-learning authoring tools market is filled with a wide array of tools which range from easy to use, template-based tools to powerful technical authoring systems. How do you select the right tool for the right job?

This 92-page report, co-authored by Training Media Review, gives buyers a good understanding of the top development tools on the market. Each tool is given an overview of its purpose and a review of its pro's and con's from a developer's perspective. We also include an overview of the Rapid E-Learning tools market, which is covered in detail in our report Rapid E-Learning: What Works.

Authoring Tools reviewed include:

• Authorware
• DazzlerMax
• Designer's Edge
• Dreamweaver MX
• Lectora Publisher
• Quest
• ReadyGo Web Course Builder
• Toolbook
• Trainersoft

The concept of rapid e-learning is being increasingly adopted among training practitioners. Training executives who have developed and deployed successful programs over the last several years have given their organizations a taste of the power and accessibility of electronic distribution for training materials. Now, the organizations want more of it - and they want it faster. The concept of rapid e- learning, at a high level, involves making the training process more accessible to subject matter experts and reducing the "time-to-learn" over that of traditional development cycles.

The popular technologies for rapid e-learning are mostly variations of PowerPoint conversion tools and systems. But, these solutions only address a portion of the real issues in making e-learning more accessible. These solutions have their limits for the type of training they can effectively produce.

This case study discusses another approach to the rapid e-learning challenge: one that addresses not only content development but also process, asset management, and leveraging an existing infrastructure.

With high turnover, thousands of products, and mandatory store policies and procedures, retailers have a constant demand for training. At one large Midwestern retailer, many of these programs are developed using PowerPoint or rapid e-learning techniques. While this training is effective for many types of programs, the company has found that for some courses, a more professional approach is needed. One example is the company's new employee orientation training. This program is seen by every new employee, and it is important that the company make a good first impression.

In addition, some product training requires advanced content development capabilities. For the Photo Lab course, designed to educate sales staff members on 35mm and digital cameras, graphics were needed to display the camera technology and components. The course could also benefit from learner interactions to help the sales staff effectively internalize the knowledge.

For these types of courses, the retailer partnered with Media 1 to use the right blend of style and substance in creating engaging and educational training programs.

We have two free webinars slated for this month. The first covers Managed Learning Services, a rapidly growing business trend that seeks to leverage learning technologies with outsourced training services. The Managed Learning Services model means organizations can wholly or partially outsource the technical and administrative functions of their training operations, resulting in reduced costs, a sharper focus on their own core competencies, and increased strategic orientation of staff and resources.

• "Managed Learning Services: How to Best Leverage Technology & Training Outsourcing Services"
• Presenter: Chris Howard
• Wednesday, February 09, 2005
• 10:00am Pacific/1:00pm Eastern Time
• SIGN UP

Our second webinar contains highlights from a study we recently completed on best practices in online customer training. The presentation will focus on how product and service companies can turn their training organizations into high-profit enterprises using e-learning.

• "How to Build a Profitable Online Training Business"
• Presenters: Josh Bersin and Karen O'Leonard
• Friday, February 25, 2005
• 11:00am Pacific/2:00pm Eastern Time
• SIGN UP