Since the ASTD TK show, people have been hot on these three software packages: Articulate, Captivate and Lectora. On my webinar series, with email and via twitter, people have been asking me about these packages. Here is my summary of each - I actually replied to someone on LinkedIn about a month ago. Here is a copy of that interaction.

In my last post I showed you how to use the math functionality of Lectora. Lectora allows you to add, subtract, multiply, and divide variables. For those unfamiliar with JavaScript, I might just as well have said you can hire an expert in voodoo to apply magic to your Lectora project. Read and follow instructions in post Math the If you want to do more than this or use more complex logic, then you will need to add JavaScript to your project. However, learning to use it will allow you to do more with your e-learning projects. In

This data shows that the Articulate tools, Adobe Captivate and Dreamweaver and Lectora are near the top for elearning course authoring. I was somewhat surprised that my post: Course Authoring and Rapid eLearning Tool Satisfaction didn't generate more interest. You can see the detailed view of the sat numbers here .

Learning Developments Thoughts and issues related to the development of eLearning content and general eLearning issues with an occasional diversion here or there. Jan 13, 2009 Im not yet Captivated by Lectora Im putting together a self-paced web-based training course for how to order textbooks using a PeopleSoft application. Im using Lectora to develop a SCORM package that will eventually be imported and used in the LMS. The course will contain several simulations I am creating in Captivate 3. So far Ive found Lectora to be a good course development tool.

I'm still wiggling my way through the ins and outs of Lectora . The Lectora support team has been very helpful. But once you start doing advanced techniques such as using flash to set Lectora variables, the preview will not work. Limitations on HTML preview. So things like flash communication and use of the Lectora VAR() function will not work when run locally. I've discovered some things I'd like to share. Limitations on built-in preview. Up to a certain point, the built in preview functionality works great.

Lectora has some basic math functionality you can use to add, subtract, multiply, and divide variables. For now, we'll stick with what Lectora has built in. For You should be familar with Lectora Create a page in Lectora First, This comes in very useful for projects that require basic computation. For more complex computation you can add JavaScript to the project.

How can you use Lectora to convert kilobytes to megabytes? However, the solution in Lectora involves using variables in a creative way so I thought I'd share my thoughts. Open a new Lectora project (or use an existing one) and add the following items to the page: A text entry field (Add > Object > Form Object > Entry Field). On the surface this seems like a basic question not worth expanding on. I'm also testing the waters with a morning cup of Joe today.

When I was recently asked to teach a class on how to use Google Calendar I started thinking about how to integrate it with Lectora . Embedding a calendar in your Lectora training can be done through Lectora's External HTML object. Start in Lectora First, I'm a big fan of Google and I use Google's online applications on a daily basis. I've found the Google Calendar to be easy to use and easy to access at home, at work, and on the go.

Authoring Tools Several questions came up recently around Authoring Tools and I wanted to point people to some past posts on authoring tools that I think serve as good foundation. eLearning Course Authoring Tools Satisfaction - More Articulate, Captivate, and Lectora Tops in Authoring Tool Satisfaction Course Authoring Tools and Rapid Authoring Tools Satisfaction Use of Wikis as Compared to Authoring Tools Rapid Authoring Tools Shift in Authoring Tool Use from Pure Courseware towards Reference Hybrids What is Rapid eLearning? and Rapid Authoring Tool

I have completed developing my first course in Lectora and it is ready to run inside the LMS.  The If I had a Lectora test or assessment in this course, then the variable would be set automatically.  I I do not, so I am setting it manually. The screen shot below shows the AICC_Lesson_Status  variable being updated in Lectora.  Notice The LMS I am using is Saba.  This This is important to note because each LMS handles SCORM content slightly differently and some SCORM related settings must be adjusted appropriately.  For