In the days of old, before e-learning tools like learning management systems existed in abundance, people who developed instructional learning material for profit, for the challenge, or for use within an organization, created it on paper. They sent it to a textbook publisher. Later perhaps when the content was being used, an instructor might have added a few supplementary materials involving audio or video, but otherwise, the content was paper-based and controlled by people who did not actually create it.

Of course, paper-based material and publishing houses still exist. And the notion of organizing and developing instructional material either to sell or for in-house use continues to enthrall many people. Anyone who happens to have knowledge in a particular field may be interested in creating content.

But the traditional processes of creating and delivering instructional material, which involve the forest-clearing and money-wasting, are neither simple nor sustainable. Not to mention they are expensive.

In the past two decades, textbook prices have grown 2-to-1 compared to inflation, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office. Textbook prices have gotten out of control. And it’s not hard to see the impact of this trend on university students. The outlandish fees of textbooks are enough to prevent learners paying their own way through college from signing up for courses which require them to buy a textbook that costs hundreds of dollars.

Considering these facts about the textbook industry and where it is headed, the picture is fairly clear for paper-based instructional material developers. It’s an ugly one.

That is why an increasing number of subject matter experts are taking their learning content online. Learning management systems (LMSs) and other elearning systems allow course developers a full range of tools as well as absolute power over their learning material.

Simple-to-use audio and video tools, screen recording, podcast creators, simulation, and animation tools are just a few of the exciting elearning creation tools available. Web 2.0 programs can also be integrated with an elearning course to give students a way to communicate and share information.

E-learning is very unlike traditional, paper-based learning content creation. After all, when you develop learning content using a trusted LMS provider, with a potent toolkit, you keep full control and ownership over your own material. You are able to modify it, delete it or parts of it, or syndicate it any time you want to. You have the choice of whether or not to allow it to be published or sold. And syndicating it allows you to expand your audience, while you get to decide how much revenue you want to share with elearning platforms and websites.

Of course, preparing and gathering learning content still requires time and patience. Just like preparing a semester’s worth of lesson plans, the content doesn’t fly directly from an expert’s head onto his or her computer. But the actual transferal of your e-learning content onto an online course format should be easy and fun. Additionally, some learning management systems allow you to use exciting and innovative tools to create your course content, free of charge.

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