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Remember the last time you were so absorbed in learning something new that you lost track of time? That’s the power of engagement! It’s what turns a boring lecture into an exciting journey of discovery. As teachers and trainers, we’re always on the hunt for that special thing that makes our students’ eyes light up with curiosity.
Now, let’s be honest — keeping students engaged in a virtual classroom can sometimes feel like conducting an orchestra where any instrument might stop playing at any moment. We’ve all been there, experimenting with different tricks, trying out new approaches, and racking our brains to make our online lessons more than just another video call.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need a hefty budget to bring more engagement to your virtual classroom. The internet is brimming with free eLearning authoring tools that can transform your online lessons from “meh” to “wow!” without costing you a dime.
In this article, we’ll look at five free tools, show you how to use them, and share expert tips to help you create online courses students will love to attend.
Why Engagement Matters in Distance Learning
Student engagement is so important to distance learning. In a faceless environment, keeping students interested is a big ask, but research shows engagement directly impacts learning outcomes.
According to research, 92% of teachers say engaged students are the key to academic success.
Like Jane Bozarth, eLearning guru, says, “Engagement isn’t just about keeping students awake. It’s about helping them retain what they learn.”
Engagement impacts many aspects of the learning process. It boosts student motivation, improves information retention, and develops critical thinking skills. Engaged students are more likely to complete courses, participate in discussions, and apply what they’ve learned to real life.
Plus, engagement creates a sense of community among students, which reduces the isolation that’s often associated with eLearning. This social aspect of engagement leads to a better learning experience and higher student satisfaction.
To solve the engagement problem, educators are using new teaching methods and tools. These are designed to create interactive, student-centric learning experiences that grab students’ attention and get them involved in the online classroom.
This is where free content creation tools can be very helpful.
What Are Free Authoring Tools?
Free authoring tools are software that allows educators, trainers, and content creators to create eLearning content without spending money. These tools have a range of features to help you create interactive and engaging online courses, presentations, quizzes, and more.
Here are some key characteristics of free authoring tools:
- Accessibility: These tools help you create content that everyone can use, regardless of ability or need. They help you meet accessibility standards for usability.
- User-friendly interfaces: Designed to be easy to use, so you don’t need to be a tech expert.
- Variety of content types: You can create a range of learning materials, from simple presentations to interactive quizzes and simulations.
- Export options: Many tools let you export your content in standard formats like SCORM, making it compatible with various learning management systems (LMSs).
- Basic interactivity: You can add elements like clickable buttons, simple animations, and basic assessments.
- Templates and assets: Often include pre-designed templates and media libraries to help you create content quickly.
- Collaboration features: Some tools offer basic collaboration capabilities for team projects.
Free authoring tools may not have all the features of the paid versions, but they’re a great starting point for creating engaging eLearning content, especially if you’re new to online course development or working with limited resources.
Top 5 Free Authoring Tools to Boost Engagement
Ready to get started? Let’s jump in:
- iSpring Free
iSpring Free allows you to turn your presentations into engaging online lessons. It integrates right into PowerPoint, so you don’t have to learn a new system. With iSpring Free, you can add interactive elements to your presentations, like quizzes with different question types and knowledge checks. Then, you can export your slides into SCORM packages so they’re ready for eLearning. This makes your content more engaging and meets educational standards.
- Canva
Canva’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create stunning visuals, even if your artistic skills are limited to stick figures. Use it to design infographics, presentations, or social media-style posts that’ll make your learners stop scrolling and start paying attention.
- Audacity
Are you looking to include audio in your eLearning content? Audacity is a great option for recording and editing. Whether you’re creating a podcast-style lesson or just want to add some voice-over to your slides, Audacity makes it easy.
- OBS Studio
Sometimes slideshows can add to the disconnected feeling of virtual learning. OBS Studio lets you record your screen, your webcam, or both at the same time. It’s perfect for creating video tutorials or virtual lectures that feel more personal than a plain old slideshow.
- Kahoot!
Who doesn’t love a good game? Kahoot! lets you create quiz-style games that’ll have your learners competing to answer questions. It’s like turning your virtual classroom into a game show, minus the cheesy host and sparkly prizes.
How to Get the Most Out of Free Authoring Tools
Now that you have your tools, here’s how to make your content really pop:
As learning expert Cathy Moore says, “People learn best when they can see how the content applies to their lives.”
Encourage interaction. Use features that engage your audience in active learning to enhance knowledge recall, not just watch or read passively.
Example: Instead of just showing a video about photosynthesis, add a quick quiz at the end. Ask students to label parts of a plant or put the steps of photosynthesis in order. This helps them remember better than just watching.
Get feedback. Ask your learners what they think. What’s working? What’s not? Use their input to keep improving your content.
Example: At the end of each week, create a short, anonymous survey. Ask questions like “What was your favorite activity this week?” or “What topic do you still find confusing?”. Use these answers to adjust your teaching for next week.
Keep it simple. Just because an ice cream shop has 31 flavors, it doesn’t mean you have to put them all in one cone! Same for your eLearning. Pick the best bits that help your students learn and leave out the extra.
Example: Instead of using a lot of different content types in one lesson, use one or two that help you achieve your goals.
Make it mobile-friendly. You’ve made an amazing online course, but it looks weird on phones. Whoops! Always check how your course looks on different devices.
Example: If you’ve got a cool infographic, make sure it’s still readable on a small screen. Maybe break it into smaller chunks for mobile users.
Prioritize accessibility. Think of your eLearning like a movie. Movies have subtitles to help different viewers, right? Your eLearning should offer the same kind of accessibility.
Example: Adding subtitles to your videos and describing images in text. That way, more learners can benefit from your content.
Keep student information safe. Be careful what you share when using free online tools. Protect your students’ personal info, just like in a regular classroom.
Example: Use nicknames or avatars instead of real names when sharing student work online.
And, finally, be patient with yourself. These are new tools. It will take some time to get the hang of it. That’s okay! Take your time, and don’t worry if you don’t get it right away.
Conclusion
eLearning gets exciting when you’ve got the right tools. The free tools we’ve covered can help you create lessons that students will actually enjoy. With these, your online classroom can become a space where everyone is eager to join in and learn.
So, don’t hesitate to give them a try, get creative, and watch your students’ interest and excitement grow.
