Figma
Prototype a learning interface or branching decision flow before production.
Where it fits: Best for testing layout and interaction with learners.
Keep in mind: A prototype is not an LMS-ready course package.
Official resourceThe considered toolkit · 18 toolsGood tools.
Good tools.
Better decisions.
Our editorial shortlist, organized by the work you need to do. “Best” depends on your learners, workflow, budget and delivery requirements.
Your lean starting stack
Start with the documents and meeting tools you already have. Add FigJam for mapping, Zotero for sources, and one approved AI assistant. Choose an authoring tool only after you know what you need to deliver.
Researched October 1, 2026. Recommendations are based on official product information, not hands-on comparative testing. Verify current plans and terms. No affiliate links in this edition.18 tools
FigJam
Map learner journeys, organize interview observations and facilitate design workshops.
Where it fits: Best for collaborative analysis and early planning.
Keep in mind: Keep sensitive research out of broadly shared boards.
Official resourceMaze
Run task-based tests of learning prototypes and inspect interaction patterns.
Where it fits: Best for studying usability before building the course.
Keep in mind: Navigation success does not establish learning or transfer.
Official resourceDovetail
Organize qualitative feedback and trace themes back to source evidence.
Where it fits: Best for recurring learner research across projects.
Keep in mind: Check AI summaries and protect participant information.
Official resourceElicit
Find and structure research papers for an evidence review.
Where it fits: Best for exploring a focused learning-science question.
Keep in mind: Verify extraction against the paper and assess study quality.
Official resourceZotero
Collect, annotate, organize and cite your research sources.
Where it fits: Best for a reusable evidence library. Core software is free.
Keep in mind: Citation metadata still needs checking; storage options vary.
Official resourceClaude
Draft alternative scenarios, critique a brief and refine learner-facing language.
Where it fits: Best as a writing and reasoning partner with clear source boundaries.
Keep in mind: Verify claims and use only approved data. This is an editorial use suggestion.
Official resourceNotebookLM
Explore a source collection and develop questions for deeper investigation.
Where it fits: Best for a bounded source pack during discovery.
Keep in mind: Inspect the original sources; summaries can omit important context.
Official resourceArticulate Rise 360
Build responsive courses with structured content and practice activities.
Where it fits: Best for fast production in an established authoring workflow.
Keep in mind: Check your plan, LMS requirements and AI-generated material.
Official resourceArticulate Storyline 360
Develop more customized course interactions with built-in AI assistance.
Where it fits: Best when interaction control matters more than production simplicity.
Keep in mind: Budget for authoring expertise, testing and accessibility review.
Official resourceH5P
Create interactive activities, including branching scenarios.
Where it fits: Best for supported LMS or website integrations.
Keep in mind: Hosting, integration and accessibility vary by content type.
Official resourceCamtasia
Record and edit software demonstrations and instructional video.
Where it fits: Best for explaining a task people need to see performed.
Keep in mind: Review captions manually and test the exported player.
Official resourceCanva
Create workshop slides, visual job aids and printable learning materials.
Where it fits: Best for fast visual production with reusable templates.
Keep in mind: Check reading order, contrast, licensing and export behavior.
Official resourceWAVE
Find potential web accessibility issues during quality review.
Where it fits: Best alongside keyboard, screen reader and human testing.
Keep in mind: Automated checks cannot certify accessibility.
Official resourceMoodle
Deliver and manage learning in an open-source LMS.
Where it fits: Best when you need control over the learning environment.
Keep in mind: Hosting, administration, maintenance and support still take resources.
Official resourceChatGPT
Generate alternative explanations, practice questions and draft feedback from an approved brief.
Where it fits: Best for exploring and critiquing design options. These are suggested uses, not tested rankings.
Keep in mind: Verify every consequential claim; review the plan’s data controls before uploading material.
Official resourcePerplexity
Discover web sources and investigate a topic with linked citations.
Where it fits: Best for a first research pass before reading primary sources.
Keep in mind: A citation does not guarantee a claim is correct or the source is strong.
Official resourceSynthesia
Create presenter-led training videos from an approved script.
Where it fits: Best when a presenter adds value and updates are frequent.
Keep in mind: Check permissions, pronunciation, captions and translated meaning with human reviewers.
Official resource