Hey Learning Lovers & Instructional Design Fam! 👋📚 So I recently made a list of tools that every Instructional Designer is apparently expected to master… And honestly? Looking at it felt like reading a grocery list written by Thanos. 👉 “You must collect all the tools… perfectly balanced, as all courses should be.” 😂 I mean, I just wanted to design learning. Why do I now need Word, Storyline, Camtasia, Figma, AI, xAPI, AND emotional stability? Anyway, I tried to organize the chaos and broke it down step-by-step 👇 ⬇️ (Sharing the table as an image because… yes, it’s THAT serious) 🎯 Now, real talk for all IDs out there: 👉 How many of these tools are you actually familiar with? Be honest. Are you a: 💪 “I can survive anywhere with Storyline and Canva” ID 🤓 “I use SCORM Cloud for fun” ID 🔥 “Figma AND xAPI… I am built different” ID 😅 “Please don’t make me open Captivate” ID 💬 Also tell me this: Which tools are must-haves for becoming an Instructional Designer today? And which ones can we collectively agree to skip without guilt? (Yes Captivate… this is a safe space, but I’m still looking at you 👀😂) Drop your thoughts below 👇 Let’s see how the ID world is tool-ing up these days! #InstructionalDesign #LearningAndDevelopment #Elearning #IDCommunity #Upskilling #EdTech #LearningDesign
Krishna Behera This is a valid and important question. Rather than discussinh tools in isolation, the focus should be on usage and learning requirements when selecting the right tool. Tools like Storyline or Captivate are ideal for interaction-heavy learning, Rise works best for mobile-friendly or rapid content development, and media tools such as Vyond are well suited for scenario-based learning. What's your opinion?
I recently advised a small company (<50 employees) to use Canva and Synthesia. My main tool used to be Rise (never got seriously enough into Storyline to produce real magic there). Synthesia can now include interactivity and branching, and I can export to SCORM. If there is a strong focus on microlearning, I am also a big fan of 7taps, which integrates Synthesia. Yes to Word or PPT for design docs, job aids, and instructor-led training. Plus CoPilot (or equivalent) and PartyRock for design support.
Good list, so far I've mastered 1-4 plus a few more and minus Moodle. I don't really dabble in open source. I've started on Miro and xAPI analytics though I've already worked with the predecessor TinCan. Along with the foundational 1 tools be sure you master PowerPoint and be very good at Excel, MS Forms, Project, SharePoint and OneNote. I would suggest throwing in Adobe CC, specifically, Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat Pro, as the basics, then get into Audition, and Premiere Pro. You'll be able to be your own best designer and developer. Later on throw in Rainforest, Synesthesia, and Lectora. With those skills you can cross industries and roles.
I approached eLearning after earning a B.Sc. in Information Systems, and I was never a K-12 teacher. I also worked in marketing for a while, so this list isn't much of a reach for me. And Word, PowerPoint, Rise? I don't know why they're in here. You can learn what you need to know about those three apps in a weekend. I'd encourage people who lack some of these skills to get courses about them on sale on Udemy. If you don't want to spend the money, a lot of training is available on YouTube as well; it might not be as curated or targeted, though.
Stumbled upon this post and to be honest I find this pretty outdated in 2026. Especially in the category 1 and 3. Category 1 is now heavily dependant on AI Tools and GPT Think Chat GPT, Gemini etc. and so is category 3 (media). Think eleven labs, synthesia, veo 3 at the minimum. Adapting AI in your workflow will give you the edge both in terms of quality and quantity.
😂 Same here—but with intention, not tool hoarding. Core creation stack: Rise, Storyline, Canva, Camtasia, Adobe Premiere PRO, Vyond + AI tools. Delivery side: Moodle and other LMS (enough to know SCORM behaves… until it doesn’t). I am inclined towards the thinking off tools as instruments. Trust, outcomes, and evidence of learning are the real product.
Although, I was extremely involved with developing in Captivate in the early 2000's, I haven't used it in almost 10 years. Personally, I don't think it is comparable or competitive anymore. Effective ID will be a mixture of these tools and Canva, Synthesia and any other useful and relevant tools in your toolbox. Most innovative IDs are self-taught via forums, YouTube and online communities.
InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and Premiere Pro, are a much bigger part of my day. All also now have built in AI. I do use a lot of Storyline but the others play a fundamental role in my world. I feel like these take all those you mentioned to a higher level at times.
Where we can learn these tools?
I find that familiarity with most of the programs listed or an equivalent is helpful in the ID/LDX world. Some tools are irreplaceable. If I am building a simulation, Storyline is my go-to tool. Want an introductory lesson or explainer video? I head to Vyond or Rise. It's basically about how much time I have and how complex the resulting learning needs to be. I am comfortable working in all the levels you listed except level 5, and at this point, I haven't needed it, but who knows in the future...? And Canva is fine for beginners or for a quick product, but for those of us who grew up in the Adobe world where I can easily manipulate everything, the Canva equivalent of Adobe Express is a must have. And for rapid development or ideation, Adobe Firefly is a must. In just one year, it has gone from fun to play with, to quite useful, to an powerhouse producing images, short videos, and great generative fills! So much progress and even more on the horizon! It's an exciting time 😀