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CourseLab

A freeware version of the commercial product, CourseLab 2.4 allows eLearning content creation in a “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) programming-free environment. It’s installed software for Windows computers, and is available for download at the CourseLab website. Customers seem to be concentrated in academic, rather than corporate, eLearning organizations.

EasyGenerator

A web-based course authoring tool, EasyGenerator offers a limited free version of their software. The free version is limited to one author and ten courses, and only allows publication to the internet, not to an LMS. Aimed primarily at the corporate eLearning market.

eXe

This is an open source content authoring application that allows you to design eLearning courses without HTML or XML knowledge. It is SCORM compliant and can run on Windows, Mac, or Linux. eXe is meant primarily for use by teachers and academics.

GLO Maker

An open source tool, GLO Maker is a free download that helps you build “GLOs,” or “Generative Learning Objects” which are “rich, interactive learning experiences.” It allows deployment to mobile devices. The software is generally aimed at academic eLearning course designers.

iSpring

iSpring offers a free version of their online eLearning Suite course creation tool. The free version is limited in some ways (it doesn’t support videos or custom branding) but allows for SCORM compliant course creation through PowerPoint. Primarily aimed at corporate eLearning course authors.

LAMS

The Learning Activity Management System is a free open source tool to create and deliver online learning activities. LAMS allows for SCORM compliant course creation, and includes integrations with many LMSs like Moodle, Sakai, and others. It caters to both academic eLearning and corporate training.

Multimedia Learning Object Authoring Tool

This open source tool creates SCORM compliant “learning objects” that can include video, audio, images and text. It includes an online demo which allows you to create test learning objects of videos and images.

RELOAD

An older open source project RELOAD (Reusable eLearning Object Authoring and Delivery) is managed by the University of Bolton and provides an editor to create SCORM compliant courses.

SmartBuilder

You can sign up for the free version of this hosted authoring software at their website. It provides an object-based authoring environment to make course creation intuitive and straightforward. Clients for SmartBuilder lean towards the corporate side of eLearning and training.

Udutu

An online course authoring tool that supports video, audio, graphic, and text functionality within courses, Udutu also follows a “WYSIWYG” format to simplify eLearning content creation. It’s meant for use by either corporate or academic eLearning professionals.

Xerte

An open source suite of browser-based tools, Xerte lets you to author content with no programming knowledge required. It allows for the creation of mobile compatible content that does not rely on Flash. It is currently in use by a variety of corporate and higher education organizations.
LMSs

Eight Free and Open Source LMSs

This list is an in-depth breakdown of each of eight free, freemium, and open-source LMSs.

ATutor

An open source LMS available for free download. This free tool has an active community of developers and continues to be updated. It is aimed primarily at the academic market and includes custom themes and web-based content delivery.

Morzino

Not a traditional LMS, Morzino seems like a closed eLearning ecosystem where educators can create and publish eLearning content, and run a “virtual school” where they track student progress, assign work, and share custom-created apps. It is focused on academic, rather than corporate, eLearning.

Pearson OpenClass

A free LMS integrated and run through Google Apps, OpenClass is optimized for Higher Ed and K12 organizations. Mobile learning is a big focus, and it comes with course authoring and social learning functionality.
Mobile Apps

Aviary Design Suite for Education

A design tool to create, modify, and share digital assets like presentation slides and images. Aimed at educators in an academic setting.

EduBrite

A “personal LMS” for small businesses and educators with authoring, testing,a nd repoting. Free for 25 users.

Eliademy

A tool to create an online learning environment utilizing Google Apps. Free for five users.

Engrade

A free, Google Apps gradebook and LMS. Aimed at the academic market.

ExamGeneral

A free Google Apps tool to create and track exams and tests.

Class.io

An individual course management app for teachers.