811
Free and Low Cost
Alternatives for
Developing
e-Learning
Walter Wimberly, SunGard Public Sector
Free and Low Cost e-Learning Software
Each tool listed below has the name, the respective web address, and a ranking from 1 to 5 of the main feature set of the
tool. 1 is low, to a 5 being highest in each section. For both Strength and Ease of Use, the higher the number the better.
For price, the higher the value, the more expensive the tool is. If there is a “/”, that means that the tool has a free and paid
version. Both of which may work for the different environments depending upon budget and need.
eLearning Planning Tools
Software Name
Strength
Gantt Project
Smart Draw
Flowchart.com
####
####
###
http://ganttproject.biz/
http://www.smartdraw.com/
http://flowchart.com/
Photo Resources
Software Name
fotolia
iStock Photo
Stock.XCHNG
Flickr
Strength
http://us.fotolia.com/
http://www.istockphoto.com/
http://www.sxc.hu/
http://www.flickr.com/
http://www.flickr.com/search/advanced
http://www.lowcostelearning.com/
###
###
##
####
Ease of
Use
☺☺☺
☺☺☺
☺☺☺
Ease of
Use
☺☺☺
☺☺☺
☺☺
☺☺☺
Price
FREE
sss
FREE
Price
s
s
FREE
FREE
Free and Low Cost e-Learning Software
Screen Capture Software
Software Name
SnagIt
FullShot
Jing Project
Mimic
Screen Mimic
Wink
http://www.techsmith.com/screencapture.asp
http://www.inbit.com/fullshot.html
http://www.jingproject.com/
http://madcapsoftware.com/products/mi
mic/
http://www.decimus.net/ScreenMimic.p
hp
http://www.debugmode.com/wink/
Image Editors
Software Name
Gimp
Picasa
Paint.Net
Strength
☺☺☺☺
☺☺☺☺
☺☺☺
☺☺☺☺
ss
ss
s
ssss
###
####
Unknown
ss
☺☺
FREE
####
###
###
Web Based Image Editors
Software Name
Strength
Aviary
Sumo Paint
##
##
http://aviary.com/home
http://www.sumopaint.com/
http://www.lowcostelearning.com/
Price
####
###
##
####
Strength
http://www.gimp.org/
http://picasa.google.com/
http://www.getpaint.net/
Ease of
Use
Ease of
Use
Price
☺☺
☺☺☺☺
☺☺☺☺
FREE
Ease of
Use
☺☺
☺☺
FREE
FREE
Price
FREE
FREE
Page 2 of 3
Free and Low Cost e-Learning Software
Webpage Editors
Software Name
Aptana
Microsoft Visual
Web Developer
Express Edition
Strength
http://www.aptana.com/
http://www.microsoft.com/express/vwd/
Web Conferencing
Software Name
Yugma
DimDim
Yuuguu
http://www.yugma.com/
http://www.dimdim.com/
http://www.yuuguu.com/home
LMS Software
Software Name
Moodle
####
☺☺
Price
FREE/ss
##### ☺☺☺☺
FREE
Strength
Price
##
###
###
Strength
http://moodle.org/
Ease of
Use
###
Ease of
Use
☺☺☺
☺☺☺
☺☺
Ease of
Use
☺
FREE/ss
FREE/ss
FREE/ss
Price
FREE
More samples and information regarding free and low cost tools to develop eLearning content can be
found at http://www.lowcostselearning.com/.
http://www.lowcostelearning.com/
Page 3 of 3