I am researching ?courseware", ?authoring? or ?e-learning? programs. I
think I have done about as much research as I can on my own, yet I
have still not settled on a program to purchase. My impressions are
that:
1) Macromedia Authorware is the ?Gold Standard? of courseware
programs, but has far more complexity than I can handle.
2) Toolbook is running second to Authorware and is also far too complex.
3) I was initially very impressed with DazzlerMax. Deluxe. I can
certainly handle it?s drag-and drop programming. However, after
reviewing Lectora and TrainerSoft, below, I am not sure that I need
DazzlerMax?s level of complexity to achieve my goals.
4) I tried Lectora after DazzlerMax and was surprised to find that I
could accomplish almost everything that I could in DazzlerMax with a
far lower leaning curve.
5) I just completed the demo for TrainerSoft. I found TrainerSoft to
be similar to Lectora. I even think TrainerSoft may be a little
simpler AND a little more powerful that Lectora. On the other hand, I
also felt that TrainerSoft might have been locking me into a template
driven environment with little flexibility.
Ultimately I know that the selection of a courseware program is a
matter of style. But I have two fears and one question.
My first fear is that I may not have evaluated all of the pertinent
programs. My Internet research has been very hit or miss. While I was
evaluating DazzlerMax, I stumbled upon Lectora. While I was evaluating
Lectora, I stumbled upon TrainerSoft. I know there are literally
hundreds of courseware programs available, but are there other
programs comparable to DazzlerMax, Lectora or TrainerSoft that I
should be aware of?
My second fear is that, despite my extraordinary efforts to learn
these programs, my limited experience with demo programs cannot give
me true insight into which program is best, i.e. has the most power
with the lowest learning curve. Someone with experience in the
industry may be able to tell me in five minutes what I have been
unable to learn in 25 hours of research: Which program is the industry
standard? Which program is the up and comer? Which program(s) should I
avoid?
My Final question is, ?Which program is best for me?? If there is a
straight-forward answer, I?d love to hear it. But at worst, I?d like
the list of contenders narrowed down to two or possibly three so I can
continue my research and decide for myself. I?m pricing this question
at $35.00. If I receive dead on information and advice, I think a tip
of an additional $15 would be appropriate. If you think my pricing is
incorrect, please let me know in a comment. And thank you for giving
this question your time and your consideration. |
Clarification of Question by
falkirk-ga
on
01 Mar 2004 06:21 PST
I am continuing to research and continuing to try to "slot" the
various authoring programs.
Macromedia Authorware and Toolbook appear to be high-end, high
learning curve programs. Lots of progamming expertise required.
TrainerSoft, Elicitus, and Toolbook Trainer appear to be "Template"
based learning creation tools.
Quest and DazzlerMax appear to be trying to carve out ground between
the "all programming" and "all template" products by using scripts and
drag-and-drop programming to simplify the learning curve while
allowing greater latitude in instructional design than the template
driven programs.
Again, I understand that the purchase decision is ultimately a
question style: How much programming, scripting, drag-and-drop
programming or template complexity am I willing to suffer in order to
gain increaed course power and flexibility?
But I still don't know if 1) There is a program that offers
expecptional versatility/power with an exceptionally low learning
curve; or 2) If there is no one obvious choice of authorware, then
which program is best within it's "class", i.e., which is the best of
the programming class, quasi-programming class, the template class,
etc.
Hopes this helps to clarify (rather than obfuscate) my request.
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