The future of authoring tools
Not long ago, creating digital learning content took hours. People spent time using complex software to design slides, add animations, and create several versions for just one small change. These authoring tools were often difficult to use, required advanced skills, and did not allow for much creativity or teamwork. Today, things are different. With new trends in authoring tools all the time, we now have cloud-based platforms, easy drag-and-drop tools, AI assistants, and tools that let teams collaborate in real-time from anywhere.
Why does it matter? Because learner expectations are changing rapidly. People have shorter attention spans, remote work is more common, and employees want learning that’s as engaging as the apps they use every day. At the same time, organizations need to rapidly train employees, demonstrate results and remain competitive as technology continues to change. Therefore, for L&D professionals, instructional designers, and content creators, keeping up with these trends in authoring tools is critical. Tools and methods that worked a few years ago may not be sufficient today. If we ignore new technologies like AI, augmented reality (XR), and more, we risk creating content that feels outdated and ignored by learners.
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Trends in Elearing Authoring Tools
The good news is that every new trend brings opportunities. Below, we’ll look at the future of authoring tools together and how trends like XR, AI automation, blockchain, and collaborative design are changing the game. Whether you’re creating your first course or updating your learning strategy, understanding will help you make better choices, save time, and create learning experiences that people will enjoy.
5+1 Trends in Authoring Tools You Don’t Want to Miss
1. Augmented Reality
Augmented reality changes the way we learn by allowing us to learn, instead of just reading or watching. XR includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR). First, expand a little on what each one entails. AR incorporates digital elements into the real world. For example, apps that help you visualize how furniture will look in your living room will use this technology. VR, on the other hand, fully immerses you in a digital world. By simply wearing a headset, you can find yourself in a virtual lab, factory, or historical site. Finally, MR combines both AR and VR, resulting in digital objects that interact with the real world in real time.
One of XR’s biggest strengths is its ability to simulate real-world scenarios, such as training pilots in VR flight simulators before flying real planes. These experiences feel real, making learning more effective and memorable. In this way, learners can make mistakes without causing harm or embarrassment, and can actively engage in the learning process, which enhances memory and understanding.
2. Blockchain for Security
Keeping track of learning achievements, certificates, and qualifications can be confusing. People often lose certificates, employers have a hard time verifying them, and learners may have skills that are not officially recognized. This is where blockchain can help. A blockchain is a secure digital recordkeeping system, where every entry is verified, permanent, and cannot be changed. So, can it help with learning and credentials? Yes, since blockchain can securely store learning records. Once one’s certificate is on the blockchain, it cannot be changed, forged, or removed. It stays there permanently, and anyone they allow can instantly check its authenticity.
The benefits for both organizations and learners are undeniable. When using blockchain, employers can easily verify whether a certificate is genuine, which helps build trust and saves time. Then, even if learners lose their data, change jobs, or move to a new country, there’s no need to worry. Their credentials are on the blockchain, and they can access them from anywhere at any time. Not to mention that learners own their credentials. They don’t need to wait for a school or platform to issue their certificate. They can store and share it as a digital portfolio of their choice, which stays with them forever.
3. AI-powered authoring
In the past, creating a course required a lot of writing, designing, and manual work. Now, AI-powered authoring tools make the process faster and easier. AI-powered authoring means you have a digital co-creator. These tools use AI to help you plan, write, design and translate content. Instead of starting from scratch, AI can recommend learning objectives, draft paragraphs, and outlines to turn into a complete course module. It’s like having an endless patient brainstorming partner.
It also brings AI automation, which can handle repetitive tasks, like converting text to voiceover or translating your course into different languages, all in one place. Another important benefit is personalization. AI can customize the learning experience for each person. For example, if a learner struggles with a topic, AI can change the learning path and provide extra help or shorter lessons. Conversely, if one is developing rapidly, the system may present advanced challenges. Overall, AI saves time, reduces costs, and increases engagement, as organizations can produce more content without losing quality, and learners get a more personalized, interactive, and helpful experience.
4. Integration with LXPs
Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs) are advanced learning platforms that prioritize the learner experience. Rather than providing a standard course like LMSS, LXP curates content from a variety of sources, such as videos, podcasts, blogs and courses, and delivers it in a customized feed. So, what happens when authoring tools connect directly to LXPs? This means course creators can design, update and track content directly in these platforms without additional steps. With LXP integration, courses are recommended based on the learner’s role, interests, skills or past behavior.
This allows for faster content updates, as you can revise a slide, video, or quiz in your authoring tool, and it will instantly sync to LXP. Integration also provides powerful data and insights. LXPs collect valuable data, such as what people view, leave, search or share. This data helps creators understand which lessons engage learners and which may need updating.
5. Cloud-based authoring
Creating elearning content used to be a solo task, with designers managing files on their computers and waiting for feedback. Now, cloud-based tools allow teams to work together. This trend in authoring tools allows for real-time collaboration as team members can work together from anywhere, reducing delays and confusion about versions of different files. It’s also easy for creators to manage their workflow. They can assign tasks, set deadlines, and leave comments directly on content, keeping everything organized. Finally, everyone can now review content quickly.
Cloud-based tools save time, reduce stress and improve the content creation experience. They provide speed, flexibility, accessibility, better teamwork and cost savings, allowing you to focus on creating great learning experiences.
6. Voice-based authoring
Voice-enabled authoring helps content creators design learning experiences for voice commands or voice platforms. This means that instructional designers can create interactive lessons, such as Alexa Skills or Google Actions, without the need for advanced programming skills. Many modern tools allow authors to dictate content, generate quiz questions orally, or add live audio instruction to their courses. This is especially useful for audio-based learning. Voice-based learning allows people to use voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri to access lessons, access mastery skills, and take quizzes. Instead of clicking through slides or videos, they simply listen and respond with their own voice.
This trend is becoming more and more popular because it is simple, comprehensive and effective. It gives learners the opportunity to learn while multitasking, which is great for busy professionals. Most importantly, it helps people with visual impairments, dyslexia, or motor difficulties, providing access to education. Language learning and authoring are already being used in language learning apps, compliance and safety reminders for employees, healthcare training, and more.
The result
Authoring tools are becoming more engaging, smarter, faster, and more personalized, helping us create learning experiences that feel real and relevant to each learner. To keep up, designers must follow new trends and practice self-learning. The best approach is to start experimenting. Try new platforms, test ideas, and explore possibilities, because those who adapt now will be better prepared for the future of L&D.
