The ins and outs of Adobe Captivate
November 12, 2018
The ins and outs of Adobe Captivate
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Adobe Captivate
Adobe Captivate is used by my organization as the primary e-learning tool for creating engaging clinically relevant content for staff. There are online learning departments that use the software for training and there is also a training group who use the software. Subject Matter Experts are paired with Captivate design experts to create the content.
- Software simulations work very well in Adobe Captivate and are easily captured and editable.
- Outputs a variety of SCORM compliant formats to work with many LMS.
- HTML5 compliant content can be adjusted to be viewed on a variety of devices.
- The quizzing is very lackluster. You cannot review questions without breaking them.
- Animations are clunky and not as easy to set up as with other software
- The workflow in Captivate could stand to be improved. There are limited templating options.
- Captivate has a steep learning curve, it takes a while for users to become proficient.
- Travel for training has been nearly eliminated when Captivate has been utilized to create the learning modules.
- SME's are paid more than content developers so it makes sense to have content developers create the content instead of an SME needing to spend the time to get up to speed to use the software or to train in person.
Captivate is better for software simulations and handles images a bit better. Storyline always makes a box around the images, which is problematic for selecting items in a drag and drop environment. The workflow of being able to edit images right within the software is also a plus for Captivate.
Adobe Captivate Feature Ratings
Using Adobe Captivate
26 - There are staff educators as well as nurse educators that utilize Adobe Captivate for creating online learning modules, just in time resources and job aids that can be based on information in a presentation or in software simulations. The software is also used to create quizzes for knowledge verification, and assessments. Modules have also been created for new staff orientation and continuing medical education credits.
2 - Once users are up to speed on the software there is very little necessity to support captivate, but if support is needed, good analyical thinking is a must. Adobe Captivate is great but there is a steep learning curve, this curve can be lessened with experience in graphic design and a basic understanding of Adult Education principles (in my environment).
- Orientation
- Software Simulations
- Assessments
- Knowledge Checks
- Surveys
- Creating gamified training modules
- Creating presentations that are more engaging that can be created in powerpoint
- Creating 'easter eggs' in the modules to drive engagement.
- Hoping to branch into 3d goggles with future versions of Captivate
Evaluating Adobe Captivate and Competitors
- Product Features
- Product Usability
When we first delved into eLearning the project was primarily software simulations for a major software upgrade. Captivate's ability to allow editing of images captured almost seamlessly with image editing tools made it the logical choice.
If we had to do it all over again, I would advocate for Captivate again, just as I have in the past. The other software suites available do not have the robust screen capture process and editing that Captivate has, which are the primary uses for eLearning Authoring tools in my department at present.
Using Adobe Captivate
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Convenient Feel confident using | Slow to learn Lots to learn |
- Importing Powerpoint slides
- Creating Quizzes
- Embedding videos and customizing how they play etc.
- Drag and Drop
- Scripting
- creating templates