Free e-learning authoring software that works!

Udutu is a free web server based authoring tool that enables you to create courses with up to 50 screens free of charge. The software contains templates, allows you to upload your own content such as powerpoints, PDFs etc and amend previously created courses. Best of all it's aimed at subject experts and so you really don't have to be a techie to be able to use it. Registration is very quick and there are a number of video user guides to have a look at before you start. Mind you, saying that, it's so easy to use and intuitive that you could probably just dive straight in.

The tool has three main tabs; workspace (where you create your content), library (where your uploaded media is saved) and administration (where you can change your course or add learners). Within the workspace tab you have a number of screen types available therefore giving you a choice about the type of content / interactivity you'd like to include. If you went for a basic screen to start you would have a simple image and text (although you do have around 9 different types of basic screen...), an advanced screen gives the opportunity for rollover text amongst other options, you have 16 different types of assessment screens available including 'what's wrong with this image' therefore giving loads of choice. You can also include interactive schenarios, a glossary of terms and import powerpoints. All screens are shown as an image and explanation in the menu so that you have some idea of what you are choosing before you choose it!

Once you are happy with your course you can choose to 'publish & host', which has a fee. This means that you are given a URL to send to learners so that they can access content. Alternatively you can choose to 'extract', which is free. If you do this the course is saved as a ZIP file for use as you see fit. Be warned - if you choose 'extract' each page will appear with a watermark, although this can be removed by deleting from each screen individually. Your ZIP file is also very likely to be HUGE! All content is SCORM compliant.

Overall I was really impressed with Udutu. Very easy to use and loads of useful and engaging interaction. AND IT'S FREE!!!! Why not take a look for yourself and let me know how you get on http://www.udutu.com/

SurveyMonkey

When I first heard of an online system at TAROE’s event that could capture employer’s feedback, customer thoughts, cope with event planning and scheduling training and research sessions I thought it sounded great – then I heard it was called SurveyMonkey and didn’t know whether to continue to be impressed or laugh at the name given to this system! On returning to the office, I definitely wanted to find out more so checked it out.

SurveyMonkey is a free tool for creating online surveys. From my first impressions, it seemed easy to use - no dummies guide is required at all. I found it really easy to design my own style of questions and make my survey.

I tested it with a couple of my colleagues and it seems to work just fine, and all I emailed them was the link to the survey and explained what it was for.
SurveyMonkey did not allow them to try and do the survey more than once we can ensure that by not allowing the same person to input the same or different data multiple times, the results will be an accurate representation of the people and the results were easily accessible from the website. The only downside to it is that you are quite limited in a few of its tools and if you want to download your results or pull a report from the website then it asks you to upgrade to PRO or UNLIMITED membership which ranges from $200 a year working out at $16.67 a month or pay monthly at a $19.95 rate. At the moment the free version allows you to store 100 responses whereas the Professional at $19.95 allows you 1,000 responses.

From my point of view, it is a really good way of collecting survey responses as it saves you time from collecting them all and then inputting all the results. I know you can’t pull reports from the system without upgrading but there is no stopping you from looking at the results on their website, copying them and you doing your own graphs and reports. It still saves you a lot of time from putting it all together.

On the free version you are really limited and have to choose from one of their themes and would have to upgrade to be able to create your own theme so that it matches your brand – however again for a free package it’s worth considering how vital the theme and branding really is to you. It is also good as an address book as it can hold up to 100 names and contact details. I think it is a great tool for events and training sessions which have under 100 delegates, and I would always advise to try the free version first and then see whether it is suitable for you before considering to pay. If not, you can always take a look at upgrading at a later date.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/