11 free authoring tools for eLearning, based on Christopher Pappas' presentation

This write-up is based on the original post by Christopher Pappas, who is the Project Manager at ANTENNA Group, which is the largest Greek media group in the world. Pappas had originally posted this write-up at elearningindustry.com and also at LinkedIn.com, where he has given the permission to share his presentation on blogs. As the tools seem to be quite handy, so I decided to share the presentation, along with the tools highlighted in the presentation. Additionally, I have also gone through the entire comments section and added the tools, which fit the criteria.

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As the name suggests, this write-up provides a list of "free authoring tools" that one can use in the eLearning design and development process. Pappas has also requested anyone, who has used these authoring tools, to share with him, a demo of the final output at the URL given above. In case, there are free authoring tools that is not included in the list please feel free to leave a comment describing the salient features and a link to the site.

1. authorPOINT by authorGEN Technologies: authorPOINT is an authoring tool that allows users to capture presentations and add pre-recorded audio/video/multimedia, all inside of Microsoft PowerPoint. authorGEN also offers authorPOINT Lite, which converts PowerPoint presentations to Flash.
2. Dipity by Dipity: From what we can gather from the company's website, Dipity is an online timeline creator. Users, known as Dipsters, can create their own content on subjects that are meaningful to them and share them with other users. Dipsters can also integrate social media into their timeline, utilizing real-time updates.
3. Document Suite 2008 by JetDraft Software: Document Suite 2008 is an authoring tool that helps in transforming documents into online help modules.
4. Izzui by QuickLessons LLC: Izzui is a hybrid social learning application that can be linked with QuickLessons. Izzui uses Facebook as an LMS to track and deliver courses. Izzui also has an e-Commerce capability allowing users to charge and pay for courses that they have created.
5. Jackdaw by e-Learning WMB: Jackdaw produces SCORM 1.2 compliant content that is easily integrated into any LMS. Users can create interactive content either from scratch or with the the help of over 100 templates. Jackdaw also lets users create content that they can then sell on the Open Elms webstore.
6. LessonWriter by Lesson Writer: The company website tells us that LessonWriter is a tool for teachers, which allows them to create lessons from any passage. These courses allow teachers to be creative with their lesson plans and also saves them a great deal of time.
7. MOS Solo by MindOnSite: MOS Solo offers a way for users to create content on the go without having to rely on a constant Internet connection. Even though they are using an offline content creation tool, they do not lose any of the functionality or power to create their multimedia content.
8. myUdutu Course Authoring Tool by Udutu Online Learning Solutions: A free online authoring tool with a suite of WSIWYG tools, allowing users to create courses in an approachable environment. Claims to export SCORM 1.2/2004 conformant courses to be used in a 3rd party LMS or integrate into social media sites, such as Facebook.
9. QuickLessons Authoring Tool by QuickLessons LLC: QuickLessons was built from the ground up to be a completely SaaS based content authoring tool, requiring the user to only have access to a web-browser. QuickLessons comes equipped with quizzes, games, characters, out-of-the-box animations and other customizable content to allow users to create truly unique and interactive flash-based content to meet their needs. Users can either use QuickLessons for free, publishing their content only to Facebook, or they can buy an individual, corporate or academic account.
10. Scratch by MIT Media Lab: From what we can gather from their website, Scratch is a creative tool that helps users create content that is beyond the barriers of traditional page-turners. Scratch users can create interactive stories, animation, music, and art, then share their creations on the web.
11. xtimeline by Famento Inc.: xtimeline is a tool that allows users to create timeline based content for free. Users can also share their timelines with other users, creating a community.

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Free authoring tools for eLearning from eLearning Industry