RapideL-i

I've been taking a look at an early version of RapideL's new online e-learning authoring tool, which they are calling RapideL-i. I've previously experimented with their desktop tool, RapideL Enhance, which works with Microsoft Word to generate Flash-based courses, but this is a big step forward.

There's no doubt that desktop tools such as Articulate and Captivate have their advantages, not least in terms of performance, the ease with which large files can be manipulated, and the freedom they allow for authors to work offline. I would have no hesitation for reaching for one of these tools if I was working on a project alone. Where online tools have the edge is when you're working collaboratively as a team - writers, graphic designers, subject-experts, a/v specialists, reviewers and so on - and when you are likely to be producing a large number of modules that share assets such as text, images, audio and Flash movies. Working online, any member of the team can view the current status of a module, add new elements or suggest changes. There's only ever one current version and this can be exported at any time for deployment on an LMS or on CD-ROM.

Typically online tools have been sold on an enterprise basis and have cost tens of thousands of dollars. In Europe, Atlantic Link and Mohive are currently the online tools of preference and both appear to be reliable and extremely easy to use. Although there is an open source option in eXe, it's fair to say that this is more directed at educational users than corporates. RapideL-i may just shake up the market because of its unusual pricing model: rather than licensing to enterprises, it is available at $499 per user per annum. In this way the tool is much more accessible to individuals and smaller teams and could as a result expand the online tool market considerably.

I played with the beta version for half an hour and was able to use it successfully without consulting the instructions. I did find the asset upload facility clunky in comparison with other tools I've used, requiring as it does a separate log-in to an FTP (file transfer) site. On the other hand, FTP does permit bulk upload, which is not usually possible. I was disappointed that the preview feature didn't work for me and that the micro-course that I created never appeared on the course list, but I assume these are teething problems. I'd recommend anyone looking for an online authoring tool to check this one out once it's fully up and running.