Elearning Authoring Tools: Top Apps To Create Courses Fast And Help Students Actually Remember – Most People Build Courses Wrong, Here’s How To Fix It

So, you’re digging into elearning authoring tools and trying to figure out what to actually use? Here’s the thing: you don’t just need a tool to build content, you need something that helps people remember it. That’s where pairing your main authoring tool with a study app like Flashrecall) makes a huge difference. You build your course in your favorite elearning authoring tools, then use Flashrecall to turn slides, PDFs, and videos into smart flashcards with spaced repetition so learners don’t forget everything a week later. If you want your course to actually work, not just look pretty, you’ll want this combo in place from day one.

What Even Are Elearning Authoring Tools?

Alright, quick recap so we’re on the same page.

• Online courses
• Interactive lessons
• Quizzes and assessments
• Simulations, branching scenarios, etc.

Think of them as “PowerPoint on steroids” for training and education. You build your content there… but here’s the catch:

Most authoring tools help you present information.

Very few help learners remember it long term.

That’s where it makes sense to separate your stack into two parts:

1. Authoring tool → for building the course

2. Memory tool (like Flashrecall) → for helping learners lock it in

Both matter. Most people only use #1 and then wonder why nobody remembers anything.

Why You Should Care About Memory When Choosing Tools

You can have the prettiest course in the world and still get:

• Low quiz scores
• People re-watching the same modules
• “I did the training but I don’t remember it”

That’s not a content problem. That’s a memory problem.

Here’s why you should think about memory from the start:

• The brain forgets fast (like, days fast) if you don’t review
• Spaced repetition + active recall are insanely effective for long‑term learning
• You can bolt this on easily with the right app

That’s exactly where Flashrecall) fits in. You keep using your favorite elearning authoring tools (Articulate, Captivate, Rise, whatever), and then:

• Export your slides/PDFs/notes
• Drop them into Flashrecall
• Let it instantly generate flashcards with built‑in spaced repetition

So instead of learners binge‑watching your course once and forgetting 80% of it, they get short, smart review sessions on their iPhone or iPad that actually stick.

The Two Big Categories Of Elearning Authoring Tools

When people say “elearning authoring tools,” they usually mean one of these:

1. Heavyweight Authoring Tools (For Pros & Companies)

These are the big ones used by corporate training teams and instructional designers:

• Articulate Storyline / Rise
• Adobe Captivate
• iSpring Suite
• Lectora

They’re great for:

• SCORM/xAPI exports
• Complex branching scenarios
• Compliance training
• Interactive simulations

But they’re not great at:

• Daily review
• Spaced repetition
• Microlearning on mobile

That’s where you plug in Flashrecall as your “memory layer.”

2. Lightweight / No-Code Course Builders

These are more “drag and drop and publish” tools:

• Thinkific / Teachable / Kajabi (course platforms)
• Canva presentations turned into lessons
• Google Slides / PowerPoint + a video host

Super easy to build with, but again: they stop at content delivery.

No built‑in memory system.

So the smart move?

Use whatever authoring tool fits your workflow, then pair it with a flashcard + spaced repetition app so learners actually retain what you spent all that time building.

How Flashrecall Fits Into Your Elearning Stack

You don’t have to replace your current tools. You just add Flashrecall on top to handle the “don’t forget this” part.

Here’s what makes Flashrecall) super useful with any elearning authoring tool:

1. Turn Course Content Into Flashcards In Seconds

Flashrecall can make flashcards instantly from:

• Images (screenshots of slides or diagrams)
• Text (copy-paste from lessons, transcripts, docs)
• Audio (lectures, voice notes)
• PDFs (workbooks, handouts, slide decks)
• YouTube links (video lessons)
• Or just typed prompts

So if you’ve built a course in Storyline, Rise, or even just PowerPoint, you can:

1. Export your slides or notes as PDF

2. Drop the PDF into Flashrecall

3. Let it auto-generate flashcards for your learners

You can also make cards manually if you want full control.

2. Built-In Spaced Repetition (No Extra Work For You)

Flashrecall has spaced repetition baked in, with:

• Smart scheduling
• Auto reminders
• Cards showing up right before you’re about to forget them

You don’t have to design some complex review system inside your LMS. Learners just:

• Install Flashrecall
• Join the deck you share
• Get reminded to study at the right times

It’s like giving your course a built‑in “long‑term memory mode.”

3. Active Recall Without Extra Quizzes

Your authoring tools probably already have quizzes, but those are usually:

• End‑of‑module
• One‑and‑done
• Not repeated over time

Flashrecall is pure active recall:

• Question on the front
• Answer on the back
• You try to remember before flipping

This is way more effective than just re-reading slides or watching the same video again.

4. Works Anywhere, Anytime (Even Offline)

Flashrecall runs on iPhone and iPad, and it works offline.

So your learners can:

• Review on the train
• Study during lunch
• Sneak in 5 minutes before bed

Corporate LMS or heavy authoring tools are usually not fun on mobile. Flashrecall fixes that by making the review part super simple and quick.

Example: How To Combine An Authoring Tool With Flashrecall

Let’s say you’re building a course on “Introduction to Project Management.”

You might:

1. Create the main course in Articulate Rise or Captivate

• Modules, videos, quizzes, scenarios

2. Export key materials

• PDFs of slides
• Text summaries of each lesson

3. Import into Flashrecall

• Drop PDFs or text into the app
• Let it generate flashcards for each topic

4. Share the deck with learners

• “Here’s the course, and here’s the Flashrecall deck to keep it all fresh.”

5. Flashrecall handles:

• Spaced repetition
• Study reminders
• Short, daily review sessions

Result:

Your fancy authoring tool handles teaching, Flashrecall handles remembering.

Why Flashrecall Beats Built-In “Review Features”

Some elearning authoring tools or LMS platforms have:

• Question banks
• Randomized quizzes
• Review modes

Useful, but they usually:

• Don’t space things over weeks/months
• Don’t adapt to what each learner is forgetting
• Aren’t fun or quick to use on mobile

Flashrecall is built specifically for memory:

• Spaced repetition is automatic
• Study reminders are built in
• Sessions are short and focused
• You can even chat with the flashcard if you’re unsure and want more explanation

So instead of expecting your authoring tool to do everything, let it do what it’s good at (content), and let Flashrecall handle the science-y memory stuff.

Great Use Cases With Elearning Authoring Tools + Flashrecall

You can use this combo for basically anything:

• Languages – Build grammar/vocab lessons in your authoring tool, use Flashrecall for vocab, phrases, and grammar patterns.
• Medical & Nursing Training – Courses for anatomy, pharmacology, protocols; Flashrecall for drugs, lab values, diagnostic criteria.
• Exam Prep – Create structured lessons, then Flashrecall decks for formulas, definitions, and key facts.
• Onboarding & Compliance – Main course in your LMS, Flashrecall deck for policies, procedures, safety rules.
• Business & Sales Training – Lessons on products and scripts, Flashrecall for product details, objection handling, key lines.

Flashrecall is free to start, fast, modern, and honestly way less clunky than a lot of “official” training tools. You just add it alongside whatever you’re already using.

Grab it here:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

How To Choose Your Main Elearning Authoring Tool (Then Add Flashrecall)

When you’re picking your main authoring tool, think about:

1. Who’s building the course?

• Non-techy? Go for something drag‑and‑drop and simple.
• Instructional designer? Storyline/Captivate/iSpring might make sense.

2. Where will it live?

• Need SCORM/xAPI for an LMS? Choose a proper authoring tool.
• Just selling a course? A course platform might be enough.

3. How interactive do you need?

• Simple videos + quizzes → lightweight tools are fine
• Complex branching, simulations → go heavier

4. Then ask: “How will people remember this in 3 months?”

• That’s where you plug in Flashrecall, no matter what you picked above

Because honestly, even the best authoring tools don’t fix the forgetting curve. They just package the info nicely.

Final Thoughts: Build With Any Tool, But Don’t Skip The Memory Part

Use whatever elearning authoring tools you like to create your content.

But if you stop there, you’re leaving a ton of learning on the table.

Add Flashrecall as your “memory engine”:

• Instantly turn course materials into flashcards
• Built‑in spaced repetition and active recall
• Study reminders so learners don’t fall off
• Works offline on iPhone and iPad
• Great for any subject: school, university, medicine, business, languages, exams

If you want your courses to actually stick in people’s brains, not just sit in an LMS, start pairing your authoring tool with Flashrecall.

You can grab it here and try it free:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the fastest way to create flashcards?

Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.

Is there a free flashcard app?

Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.

How do I start spaced repetition?

You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.

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