Instructional Design Tools You Need in Your Tool Bag

Today's blog is all about instructional design tools, but naturally, let’s talk about Mary Poppins first for just a moment, shall we? Just go with us, here. If you’re like us, the scene where she arrives at the Banks household and unpacks her magical carpet bag is indelibly imprinted in your memory.

First she removes some creature comforts— a sensible lamp, a brass hat stand, a houseplant. Then she reaches in a little bit further and grabs her trusty, magical measuring tape (if you recall, we can read these real good).

“Ah-ha! A tool!,” you say. Yes, the measuring tape is a tool but so is the sensible lamp, the hat stand, and the houseplant. Just like Mary’s, your bag of instructional design tools will be comprised of both practical tools (software and hardware) and a few creature comforts.

Read on if you’re ready to design a tool bag that is "practically perfect in every way” for you and your needs!

Disclaimer! We can see that you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of tools mentioned below. Don’t fret, freelancer. This is just a quick summary of some of our favorite instructional design tools but by no means will you need to have all of these in your tool bag. Options. We love options. Feeling better? Ok, let’s

jump in!

Rapid Authoring Tools

Let’s start with the nuts and bolts—rapid authoring tools. Rapid authoring tools are an absolute staple in your bag of tricks and a long loved tool of instructional designers everywhere. These tools allow you to quickly and easily create web-based training courses without the need for coding or multimedia editing expertise. Basically, they’re here to make your job a whole lot easier.

Adobe Captivate , and its upcoming version codenamed “Project Charm” let you design an awesome course in just minutes! From software demonstrations and simulations to randomized quizzes, it’s a piece of software we love.

If you’ve been there, done that, check out Articulate Storyline and Rise as user-friendly alternatives with slightly different customization levels and limitations.

Lastly, there’s Lectora — “the most powerful eLearning authoring tool” on the market. Whether or not that’s true is up to you, but it does allow you to create WCAG-friendly courses that look highly professional.

The best way to choose the right rapid authoring tool for you is through research (you’re doing that now!) and free trials. Take advantage of those free trials where you can to truly get a feel for each piece of software and its various pros and cons. And listen to your heart. It never hurts.

Graphic, Video and Audio Editing

OK, next up we have the editing tools! These are vital to jazzing up your course and also just getting creative with the way you present information.

We can’t have a convo on this topic without name-dropping THE ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD (**lightning and thunder effects**). We all know her, we all love her— the big kahuna of cool tools. Those include Premiere, Photoshop, Audition and Acrobat, to name a few. Yes, it does cost quite the pretty penny ($599.88/a year) but we feel that it’s worth it given the scope of its capabilities from graphic design to video editing and web development.

Other video editing software we love includes iMovie (hi Mac users!), Camtasia , Vyond , and Snagit . And let’s not forget good, ole’ trusty PowerPoint— one of the easiest ways to get your eLearning content goin’!

Project Management Tools

Now let’s talk project management tools! Project management tools are basically any kind of software that’s going to help you keep your ducks in a row and stay organized. Organization is truly a fundamental key to your success so break out some paper and take notes.

We love Smartsheet when it comes to collaboration. Assign tasks, track project management, run a streamlined calendar— you can do it all and do it well here.

For your non-smart spreadsheet needs, check out Excel (though we bet you already know this one). Alternatively, BaseCamp, ClickUp , Asana , Trello and Monday.com are all robust collaboration tools that allow you to organize, streamline and work together with ease.

You know what they say! “Teamwork makes the dream work!” We’re high-fiving you mentally right now, teammate.

Learning Management Systems

Geez, there’s a lot of tools, aren’t there? So very many…tools. Learning management systems! They’re next! A Learning Management System, or LMS for short, is any kind of software that aids in the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation or delivery of eLearning programs. Our favorites includeMoodle, Canvas, Blackboard , Talent LMS , Docebo , LearnDash , and Cornerstone.

Time Tracking Tools

As an ID freelie, you’ll be in charge of your own schedule, baby. And while that is completely awesome, it can also be a daunting task if you’re just starting out. We’ve taken several, if not a dozen, short breaks just in composing this very blog (Hey, someone has to say “aww big stretch! every time the dog stretches).

That’s where software like Harvest , Clockify , Toggl Track and QuickBooks Time come in handy!

Whether you’re keeping track of your own time or your subcontractor's time, you’ll be able to track and plan work hours across multiple projects. The more stress you can remove from time-tracking, the better! Don’t let all your work progress be lost in time, like tears…in rain (it’s a Blade Runner reference, guys...now I need a short break to have a cry).

Bizness Tools

We know what you’re thinking. “Aren’t all of these tools business tools?” Well yes, they are. But, we’re talking BIZness tools— the nitty gritty stuff like accounting software, invoicing software, and legal software.

There are about 1 million options out there when it comes to this type of non-ID specific stuff but a few of our faves include Quickbooks and LegalZoom (think contracts, privacy statements, terms & conditions). Even better, some of the time tracking tools we talked about above, can also double as a place to manage your invoices! We love a Swiss-army style tool!

Marketing Tools

Marketing tools are anything you use to get your name out there! With all this Mary Poppins talk, you may have expected that you too can be magically summoned to new jobs by floating down from the clouds on an umbrella. Unfortunately, we’ve tried this and it just doesn’t work. Trust us, you will not float. REPEAT, you will NOT float.

Chances are you already know about or actively use some of these tools— Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn. Use this opportunity to really jazz up your profiles and be sure they represent what you do and who you are well.

For help with customizable marketing/social media graphics, check out Canva.

You’ll also want to invest in some digital and/or physical business cards and a personal website that includes a portfolio and maybe even a blog page. A blog page? Now that’s a great idea only a very smart person would have! (wink)

Everyday Tools

We’re in the home stretch now! If you’ve read this far, your tool bag should be positively jangling with all kinds of new goodies! Now, we’re going to talk about everyday tools—well, the things you’ll use every day to make freelie life a little more streamlined.

Chances are, we’ve all become a little too familiar with Zoom over the past year, but if not, you’ll definitely want to familiarize yourself with this teleconferencing app. It’s easy to download, easy to use and an easy way to connect face to face with team members or clients.

When it comes to day-to-day file creation, the Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, etc) is still largely the gold standard in the world of eLearning. And the best way to store and share those files? Google Drive!

Lastly, it’s important to stay in touch with your peeps. We love Slack because it brings together our IDLance team and community so easily without too many unnecessary bells and whistles.

Speaking of the IDLance team— we want you on ours! IDLance is her to provide you with the articles, resources, tips and the community you need to get your freelance career in instructional design off the ground and thriving! It’s the magical measuring tape of your tool bag.

Personal Tools

Now for the fun stuff— personal tools! The absolute first item on this list is an organized, comfortable workspace. That doesn’t have to mean a standalone office if you’re tight on space or money, but you should definitely have an area that’s dedicated to work and productivity. Make sure it’s well-lit and well-stocked with all your preferred brands of paper, pens, and general office supplies.

Do you have enough outlets in your workspace to power your computer, external hard drive, printer, lamp, massage chair, and blender (in case you need some mid-day frozen cocktails)? These are all tools that will help you unlock your full potential! So is a (fairly) up-to-datesmartphone along with a ring light and microphone.

Conclusion

Whew! There ya have it— some of our favorite tools of the trade. While you should consider this a great, quick reference, it’s important to remember that it takes time to build your ideal tool bag.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there but we hope this has given you a jumpstart at nailing this! In the words of Mary Poppins, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun!” So, have fun with it, freelies!