Course builder for learning management systems

A course builder is a function of the LMS that allows a content creator to develop learning material. The content developed includes text, video, images, and presentations. Additionally, course builders allow the creator to combine different content types and incorporate tests, quizzes, and assignments.

A course builder helps you to interact with course content, assessments, and learning experiences all in one platform allowing you to view your entire course at once. The interface of a course builder is an efficient and straightforward one. It transforms the process of course creation from multiple steps using different tools, to one-step actions in one platform.

A good and modern LMS platform will come with its own course builder designed to make course creation easy and flexible. It allows you to create engaging and interactive courses, whiteboards, and quizzes. With a course builder, you can design, create, and launch your courses and training material.

Course builder is one of the most common eLearning topics.

Course Builder versus Course Authoring Tool

The two terms are practically one and the same thing and can be used interchangeably. In some cases, a course builder may be seen to incorporate graphic design elements while a course authoring tool may only be viewed as a tool for creating content.

However, there are course authoring tools that have graphic design features. Therefore, there is no major difference between the two terms.

Google Course Builder

The term Course Builder also happens to be a brand name for a Google online course authoring solution. Google Course Builder is an open-source, free-to-download, and legal-to-modify course-building online application that allows you to create multiple courses for an organization or a single training program. The software can design learning content for educational institutions and corporate organizations.

The application can be used to design, create, deliver, and manage online training content. It comes with familiar features such as lessons, units, and assessments. It is simple to use and if you want more features, you can ask a programmer to modify the code.

Course Builder also comes with tutorials designed to help you learn how to create online courses. By including such step-by-step guides, this tool is especially beneficial for content creators who are new to creating online training material. It requires no programming experience to develop or launch courses.

Currently, the tool is unsupported since Google moved its function to a new platform. It was never widely adopted by K-12 and university instructors. However, it is being used by advanced users for niche projects. Nonetheless, it was never a first choice for developing courses.

Benefits of a Course Builder

Your organization needs a course-building solution that can adapt and scale as your operations grow. Below are some benefits of a course builder.

Speeds up course development: With features such as themes and templates, a course builder is sure to cut development time tremendously.

Enhances learner participation and engagement: Course builders allow you to build professional courses that your learners will love. In turn, they become more active and engaged.

Knowledge retention: When learners become more active and engaged to your content, their knowledge retention goes up.

Easy updates and upkeep: To update an existing course, all you need is to access the material from the library and add more information. You don’t have to start from scratch. Course builders are also easy to maintain since most of them allow you to make changes that are in line with compliance laws.

Cuts development costs: You can easily create a professional course in a fraction of the time it takes to develop a traditional course. Consequently, you save money.

Responsive design: Course builders will help you to create learning material that can be viewed on multiple devices.

Maximize resources: Instead of having a large L&D (Learning and Development) team, you can just hire a competent administrator and a few instructors.

Conclusion

Course builders make content creation easy. Whether your LMS platform has a modern inbuilt course builder or you are looking for a third-party solution, you will effortlessly create professional courses that your learners will love.