Rapid (Collaborative) Authoring Tools for developers/SMEs in multiple locations

I’ve been slicing and dicing our Authoring Tool KnowledgeBase and doing some online research in response to a question about collaborative rapid authoring tools that developers in multiple locations can use. Thought I’d share what I found for three reasons – (1) hopefully to provide some valuable information, (2) to see who I may have missed so I can add them and/or get them added to our KnowledgeBase (3) to let you know about the type of client-driven research we do at Brandon Hall Research.

After looking at the Authoring Tool KnowledgeBase I went to my LinkedIn and Twitter network. Immediately heard back from two people. (gotta love crowdsourcing)

My methodology:

1. Rapid = Tool designed for SME with no page design, authoring, or programming experience (this doesn’t exclude tools with additional functionality for advanced users).
2. Collaborative across locations = Server-based authoring environment that one or more content developers access simultaneously using their browser for collaborative authoring.
3. PRIMARY type of content is online courses, CBT, conversion of existing content, presentations (and not tests/assessment, games, simulation tools). Authoring tool vendors sometimes get ticked off about being excluded from this type of filter when their primary type of content is excluded but their secondary type content is not. (e.g. they are primarily a test/assessment tool but also can do online courses). Note to vendors: If you fall in that category, feel free to make comments with information about your authoring tool.

(Also note that I have not used each of these tools but am familiar with them. I’m not making recommendations, just a resource)

Collaborative Rapid Authoring Tools:

• AuthoLearn (TrainVision Ltd.)
• Banshee (McKinnon-Mulherin, Inc.)
  
• Brainshark Presentations Platform (Brainshark Inc.)
• CC2 (Inmarkets)
• CLI Virtuoso Authoring System (Cisco Learning Institute)
• Cobent CoAuthor
• Composica Enterprise (Composica Ltd.)
• Content Authoring Software (Mediapro Education Technology Pvt. Ltd.)
• Content Point (Atlantic Link Limited)
• CourseAvenue (CourseAvenue Inc.)
• CourseBuilder (Edvantage Group)
• Edufolio (Terra Dotta)
• Eedo Force Ten (Eedo Knowledgeware)
• hylOs (link lab)
  
• IBT Content Conversion (time4you GmbH)
• IBT Web Authoring (time4you GmbH)
• Intelligent Avatar (Robot Hosting Tenetro)
• Knowledge Assembler (Generation21 Learning Systems)
• KnowledgeHub Authoring Tool (Element K)
• Mindflash Training System (Mindflash Technologies Inc.)
• Mohive e-Learning Publishing System (Mohive eLPS) (Mohive)
• MOS SOLO (MindOnSite) *Server version (LCMS)
• myUdutu (Udutu)
• Mzinga Publisher
• OnPoint Course Manager (OnPoint Digital Inc.)
• podia (podia Ltd.)
• RapideL-i (Brainvisa Technologies Pvt. Ltd.)
• SANA Learning LCMS (ISM eCompany)
• The Qube Learning System (Qube Learning)
• Unison Web-based e-Learning Development (Rapid Intake)
• Worldwide Interactive Learning Designer (mySmartSimulation)

If you needed more filtering the Authoring Tool KnowledgeBase can break things down to computer platforms (play and develop), plug-in requirement, SCORM, languages, third-party interoperability and ton of of other stuff.

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Tagged as: authoring tools, collaboration, collaborative authoring, rapid e-learing, web-based authoring tools