Authoring platforms have long been the standard for e-learning, but for some instructional challenges they are not the best solution. This presentation describes how NC State uses custom applications to address complex instructional problems. We will discuss our development process, the instructional challenges, and how the applications met those needs.

Authoring platforms such as Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate, Lectora, and others, have long been the standard for e-learning development. These platforms allow instructional designers and developers to create dynamic and interactive learning experiences with a suite of tools that requires no coding knowledge and a user experience akin to creating a slide deck. Indeed, the increasing availability of both templates and rapid design tools related to these platforms has allowed for faster development time and highly-polished deliverables, even by novice designers. However, this speed and ease of use comes with trade-offs, and there are limitations with these platforms both in functionality and cost. While they are a viable solution for many instructional situations, there are times when they cannot provide the features or flexibility that is needed. The instructional production team at NC State University, consisting of instructional designers and media developers, has developed numerous custom applications as an alternative to the deliverables typically developed with e-learning authoring platforms. These applications are able to address complex instructional problems in a highly specific and customized way, but are constructed in a way that allows for reusability and expansion. Application development has allowed for greater flexibility when it comes to interactions, adding new content, and updating materials in real-time. Several real courses and applications will be presented as examples, with an overview of the instructional problem and the characteristics of each course. The general features of each application will be explained and demonstrated, with an emphasis on how the features available from traditional authoring platforms were not able to fully address the need. In addition, the pros and cons of developing custom applications for instruction will be discussed, including time to develop and the expertise needed. An overview of the development process from planning through implementation and maintenance will also be presented. This presentation will transform the understanding of e-learning development and what is possible in the instructional design and academic space. Authoring platforms have dominated the instructional design and e-learning industry. Indeed, the pervasive use of these platforms among instructional designers and developers and the ubiquity of the traditional “learning module” has all but defined what it means to design instruction. While they do serve an important role, they are not the only means of creating instructional experiences. By expanding that definition and our understanding of instructional experiences, we can embrace more creative problem-solving and need-based solutions beyond just the capabilities of one platform or one modality. There will be multiple ways for participants to engage in this presentation. Most notably, participants will have the opportunity to interact with and see first-hand the custom applications that will be used as examples. This will happen both during the presentation and links will be provided to further demo the applications after the presentation has ended. In addition, there will be opportunities for participants to both ask questions and share their own experiences throughout the presentation.