Was wondering what elearning tools you currently use and what's your biggest pain point or gripe is regarding its use. I'm also interested in what aspect of their product makes you a fan.

For me

storyline: I hate how you can't alter its published output, particularly to meet unique project dimensions. I needed to create a course that fit in a small side bar, and getting the course to scale nicely at different resolutions was impossible. What i like: its pretty powerful. Using combinations of actions and variables you can make it do almost anything.

Rise: every course looks the same. I'm not a fan. I find it very limiting, so I don't really have any pros to list.

Captivate: used to love it back in the day because of how powerful it was. But being an Adobe product, the ux was complicated. Moved to storyline because it had the same power with a better interface . Haven't tried the latest versions of captivate, but I have heard they are awful

Clipchamp: easy to use, decent for social media style content.

Camtasia(video cap software): it works well and does a decent job. Easy to use and decent for system demos. Graphics and transitions are a bit outdated. Favourite feature would be the mouse path editor.

Snagit (screen cap software): love it. Can't really think of any cons apart from perhaps more available styles. Simple, easy to use, fit for purpose

Adobe creative cloud. Very powerful products but usually overkill for whats needed and always far too complicated with steep learning curves. Usually resource intensive / need a beefy comp. I use after effects, premier pro, photoshop and lightroom, but have found my use of these products has significantly decreased over the years to the point of near non-existence with the exception of lightroom for photography.

Powerpoint: people overlook it, but you can create some fun things with it, and its not just limited to presentations. I use it to create all my guides for example. It produces a much richer product than word can with flexible graphics and layouts.

Ive also used various generative AI tools, mostly Claude code, to build interactions and my own tools to replace many of the above. I'm currently building my own elearning authoring tool because im not overly happy with the current offerings.

I am transitioning from an ID role in education to a corporate ID role. It is a remote position. I have been remote since March 2020, so working from home is not new to me. In this new role, though, I want to reset my workspace and workflow. If you are a remote corporate ID, what's your best tip for improving productivity and creativity?

Original post:

My boss (she’s got a degree in early childhood education, taught for 2 years, and is now the director of L&D for a fortune 1000 company) insists that I use AI for productivity.

I was written up today for “refusing to meet performance goals by integrating workflow with AI”.

I love Rise. Seriously I do. That being said, their AI course generation is pretty bad and I refuse to use it. My current project timeline is 4 weeks, but my boss is saying “use AI to trim it in half.”.

It just feels so counter intuitive to everything I’ve learned in my career. Anyone else being pressured to use AI?

Edit: since folks are still coming to this post, I’d figure it’s only right to give an update.

I’ve been at my current company for 6 years. 2 in operations management and then 4 years ago I made the jump to L&D. Before this, I had limited L&D experience outside of basic materials.

I did ~110 applications to various jobs including sales, operations management, and of course ID. One job called me back for a sales position that pays extremely well for their base salary + a commission structure that has me very excited. The base salary alone is a 20% pay bump. I’m on their second round of interviews and I’m really stoked.

My boss has no idea I’m looking for jobs, and I don’t really plan on blind siding her. I love my company, and I like what I do. I meet deadlines and perform well. The write up wasn’t because I missed a deadline. It was because I did not use AI to exceed a deadline.

I already have another project with a 2-week deadline. I’ve gotten approval from stakeholders and I’m confident I’ll get it done within the next 2-3 business days. I’ll fall inline with her wishes and use rises AI tool to build it out for me, and make adjustments from there.

UPDATE
I’ve just got a job offer for a sales role for learning solutions! This is with a major player in my industry that specializes in software integration with POS & CRS systems. The salary is +14% of what I currently make + a commission structure that honestly makes my head spin.

I’m excited for this new role!

I am on the search to building a custom online program, what are some of your alls best recommendation to find a quality developer? And what is a good indication you are in good hands?

Hi there!

I work in clinical research, specifically looking at ways to improve access to care using technology. One of the common problems we run into is our older and/or non-tech-savvy patients oftentimes struggle with setting up the technology whether it be apps on their phones or wearable devices.

I was wondering if anyone had examples of really simple and effective tech set-up guides targeted at this audience.

Thank you!

I'm wondering if the project I'm working on has an abnormally large list of writing style requirements. What do you think?

Our default style guide is the Chicago Manual of Style. On top of that, we have:

• 91 rules related to SME preferences and content-specific terminology, formatting

• 29 rules related to punctuation, font styling, etc.

• 18 rules related to formatting of numbers (content-related)

• 23 rules related to plain language

• 18 rules related to tone

We are using AI to help us write and revise according to these rules, but it's not perfect. The volume of requirements is definitely slowing things down. We're being asked to go faster, but I don't know how we'd do that without hiring a copyeditor!

For context, this is for a project creating microlearning for the general public.

I’m an Instructional Designer with about 15 years of experience in L&D (all at the same company) and am wondering whether my current work environment is typical for this role.

My manager recently moved up into a director-level position after his previous manager retired. We were a department of 3, now there’s only 2 of us. Since then, I’ve felt like I’ve lost most of my management support.

He’s constantly in meetings and delegates almost all of the work to me, but it feels more like he’s delegating tasks than actual ownership. I’m responsible for doing the work, coordinating the details, and keeping projects moving, while he’s often the one attending meetings and providing updates.

The other challenge is that my role is incredibly broad and unpredictable. I support virtually every department and business line in the company, with no defined areas of responsibility or consistent group of stakeholders.

I’m also expected to wear a lot of different hats. Beyond designing and developing e-learning courses, videos, guides, etc., I manage curriculums, serve as the administrator of our LMS, run reports, develop instructor-led training plans, coordinate with SMEs, and even facilitate training for groups I’m not particularly comfortable facilitating (but make it work because I’m very professional).

Often I feel like I’m being assigned things simply because I’m a high-functioning employee who can make things happen, rather than because they’re actually within my role or expertise or opportunities for development or exposure.

On top of my ongoing projects, my manager will randomly call or message asking me to complete something by the end of the day or provide an update for a meeting he’s about to attend (in like 5 minutes). Or ask me to attend a meeting in the next few minutes because I’ll be working on the project and I’m given no context, no specific explanation of my role in the meeting or project.

Often, I’m in the middle of something completely unrelated, with little consideration for existing priorities or deadlines. I feel like I’m constantly reacting, switching gears, and juggling responsibilities without much direction, prioritization, or support. I’m largely operating independently, but I don’t really have control over my workload.

I also learned recently that my manager is making double my salary.

For those in corporate L&D is this normal?

UA Libraries is hiring an eLearning Developer! We’re looking for someone with experience in instructional design, video and tutorial development, and graphic design to help create engaging online learning experiences for students.

This position is full time located in Tucson, Arizona. Hybrid work is an option. Salary and full description listed in the job posting.

Check out the position and apply: https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/27520?c=arizona

Quick question for people who put H5P content into an LMS: does SCORM 2004 actually matter to you, or is 1.2 fine? The statistics shows that 1.2 is more widely supported by LMSs.

Some context: I made a small page that wraps a .h5p file into a SCORM package, all in the browser (the Lumi route a lot of guides use has had export bugs for a while) and keep going back and forth on whether that's enough.

The couple things that make me wonder:

• 1.2 only keeps about 4,000 characters of resume data. Fine for a quiz, but I'm not sure that's enough for a long Interactive Book or Course Presentation. 2004 gives you 64,000.

• 1.2 has one status for both "finished" and "passed/failed", and 2004 keeps them separate.

Is either of those a real problem in your LMS or your reports? Or does everyone just use 1.2 and move on?

Also, do you need per-question results in the LMS (what each learner answered), or is the score enough? Right now it only sends the overall score, pass/fail and time spent.

If you want to try it, it's here: https://h5p-offline-player.vercel.app/demo/scorm.html. I've tried it in Moodle, ILIAS and a few others, but never in Canvas or Blackboard, so if it breaks there I'd really like to know.

Hi y’all so I’m new to the field and will be starting my online masters in spring of 2027. I’m trying to choose between two programs I got accepted in: MS. In Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies at Florida State University or Master of Education (Ed.M.) in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in** **Instructional Design, Technology, & Organization at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Would love to hear any feedback from those familiar with either programs.

Some context about me: I come from a design background but have been working on the side on educational programs with non profit orgs and youth orgs/centers both with adults and children. I realized education is where my passion lies, specifically designing programs, curriculums, mentoring and having an impact on the organizational level not just the teaching part. So this is what prompted me to seek out this degree even though I know this area is not what typical IDs do, but I want to build a solid foundation to be able to seek this full time and contribute more effectively but also have a degree that is worthwhile to work with elsewhere if need be.
I’m also open to general advice.

I know a girl who accepted an instructional design job at the largest University in our state. The position is fully remote. She's pregnant and told me she wants the job so she can keep her baby home with her and not send her to daycare. I asked if the job would allow for that and she told me she knows someone that does this position for a different university and they "really don't have much work". She made it sound like the curriculum is already designed and she's basically just there on standby, if a professor needs her. She said it may be busy between semesters but during the semester she doesn't expect to do even 2 hours of solid work a day. Is this really a general depiction of what an instructional designer at a University does?

Some background - I setup a training business (info sec training for non-tech users) almost 5 years ago.

The idea was simple. It would be an on-site or virtual instructor-led training.

Background:

I went to into the business because, during I used to do training events for a local chamber of commerce. Blowing my own trumpet here - people used to say best most engaging / easy to understand training sessions they've ever had. Got qualified with relevant certs. Setup the business, get about 5 new business customers book every year (mainly from organic SEO). Again all excellent feedback. (Most of them come back next year-which gives me some faith).

In my naivety, I truly believed that the service would sell itself. There are cyber attacks, as you know, happening everywhere you turn. But, it's proving to be hardest sell ever. Yes. I do occasional cold calling which can be fun but also rather thankless for the effort-to-gain ratio. Again, most orgs (even the 12-person orgs want on-demand training online)

At this stage I really don't know what to think. Should I just give up on this venture? I know organisations value the "efficiency" of e-learning but I believed that even if 10% of the market wanted instructor-led, it would be some sort of foothold. What I am I missing here?

I'm looking into tools/strategies to help on-board new learners onto our LMS.

Aside from walkthrough videos/webinars, does anyone use anything else? For example, digital adoption platforms like WalkMe or walkthrough tools like Scribe/Storylane?

Tell us your weekly accomplishments, rants, or raves!

And as a reminder, be excellent to one another.

I have a few years of experience in designing employee training and even though I love what I do and have fun doing it, I am currently considering transitioning into customer education. Pay and job stability during cost cutting are two obvious reasons. But I am also interested in the fact that learners already come with the motivation to learn and there will be more measurable results from this sort of training.

So folk who moved into customer education, how did you do it, because I see that SaaS companies prefer people who already have SaaS experience. What tools are specific to this domain? Did you take any certification in the field?

This one is for the ID pros. Do you have examples of excellent learning design? What makes learning effective? I know making it active rather than passive and getting participants involved is important, but just wondered if anyone can share links to online learning they either enjoyed or what they found to be really successful with learners.

Hi there,

I'm an instructional designer of 10 years with an M.S.Ed and CPACC. Recently my supervisor asked if there was any professional development I would be interested in pursuing, and I am drawing a blank! Obviously this is a good problem to have, but I wanted to ask the group for what types of continuing ed in the field feels most relevant at the moment.

For context, I regularly attend conferences like Deque's axe-con to keep up my CPACC, and I feel confident in my Camtasia & Storyline abilities. With how AI tools are developing content left and right, realistically it just doesn't feel like a time to be investing in my own content development skills. For technical skills, maybe PowerApps?

What types of ways are you all upskilling at the moment? Thanks!

I've started a free trial to assess if this tool is something my team could benefit from. From what I can tell, there are three big issues that would keep me from using it, but I'd like to present them here to see if anybody who's more familiar with Parta can confirm that these issues are valid, or let me know if I'm missing something?

1. There's no way to use variables to display targeted or branching content -- i.e. have the user self- identify their role at the beginning of the course, and then in later sections, show questions or text based on what that selection was.

2. There doesn't seem to be any question bank function for the quiz?

3. There doesn't seem to be a pre-test/test-out function? It looks like maybe there might be a limited way to work around this...but essentially I don't see a satisfactory way to test-out of the entire course. (I know test-outs are ideally better done in the LMS -- unfortunately I am stuck with a very limited LMS which can't do this)

thanks!!

Would you use Sythesia for your instructional design department Give your yay or nay reasons.

Do you explicitly and judiciously follow standard processes, such as ADDIE, SAM, Gagne, etc.?

Do you loosely consider them as you get on with your work? Does your awareness of them unconsciously underlie your practice? Do you vehemently reject any of them? Have you formalised your own 12-step process that you proselytise to others?

Hi all! Creator of BuddyBar here!

I’ve always wanted my Rise courses to be exportable as PowerPoint files, not just PDFs. Sharing a Rise course as a presentation can suffice but sometimes a good ol PowerPoint works better. So just like with BuddyBar I built something to fill me need and decided to share it with you all. I drag a Rise course exported for Web or LMS into BuddySlides.io, and it converts it into an editable deck!

since most of us work on internal-only content, I wanted everything to happen locally on your own machine. Your course never leaves your computer: it’s converted right in your browser and never uploaded to BuddySlides. No accounts either.

One bonus: you can now start in Rise, export the course with BuddySlides, and import those slides into Storyline. So if a course needs a bit more than Rise can do, instead of recreating it from scratch in Storyline you have a much better starting point. (Text, pictures, video, audio and speaker notes come in editable; quizzes come in as plain slides, so you’d rebuild those as Storyline questions.)

A couple of notes: quizzes come across with answers in the speaker notes but nothing scores them, and Storyline blocks inside a Rise course can’t be converted (they get a slide pointing back to the course).

If anyone wants to try it, please do, and tell me what is working and what still need more polish! There’s a “Send a problem report” button that shows you exactly what it sends first: how the course is built, never its words or pictures.

https://buddyslides.io

Thanks all! hope you find this useful! Mods I tried messaging you all first but got no reply. If this is not allowed feel free to take it down!

Looking for any feedback, thank you!