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Based in the Denver area, Thomas Toth is an e-learning developer with more than 20 years of training, management, and design experience. He is also the president of dWeb Studios, a web and e-learning design and development firm in Parker, Colorado. Toth has designed and programmed online training courses using Adobe products combined with modern authoring tools, and has personally created and maintained hundreds of individual e-learning courses for corporate clients around the world. He holds a BA in human communication and an MA in education with a focus on educational technology.

Thomas Toth

Flash Is Dead! Long Live Flash for E-Learning!

“Just program it in HTML5.” “We are switching to HTML5.” “HTML5…HTML5…HTML5…”Sound familiar? What does this cry for HTML5 mean for e-learning developers?That Was ThenWhen e-learning was first gaining momentum (about 15 to 20 years ago), building courseware required some degree of programming capability: HTML and JavaScript to build a primary code base, ActionScript in Flash to create interactive objects and content, and a good knowledge of SCORM standards.I would present at conferences and proclaim that attendees needed some of these programming skills. People would smile, shake my hand, and agree to learn more programming skills—and then they would hire me to create their programs for them. Simply, many instructional designers and facilitators charged with building e-learning were not interested in computer programming.Fortunately, e-learning authoring tools came into prominence. Soon, everyone was an e-learning programmer. You simply opened PowerPoint, created a presentation, and clicked a button to have an interface wrap your PPT in a nice SCORM package.And for a long time, many e-learning authoring tools exported solely to a Flash format, and the .swf files they generated required the Flash player for learners to view the content in a browser. This was great because the Flash player was already built into every desktop browser, so everyone could view the Flash content.Voilà, your e-learning projects were complete! Check the box! Done!This Is NowIn 2015, however, the Flash player does not function on mobile devices, and is even falling into antiquity, in some experts’ opinions. Instead, industry leaders are rallying behind the HTML5 banner. Led by Apple, the cry has sounded: “Flash is DEAD!” Meanwhile, programmers like me are saying, “Long Live Flash!” Why? Because e-learning “programmers,” who solely use authoring tools to build their courseware, are not able to create compelling e-learning interactions with the support of Flash.Indeed, most companies are asking for HTML5 to become the standard, and traditional e-learning programmers are forced to comply. So, although the advent of authoring tools was a good way for companies to rapidly build e-learning libraries (because they made the “programming” piece of e-learning development as easy as creating PowerPoint slides), it’s not good when the standards start to change.Here’s the rub: HTML5 requires developers to go back to being programmers. In fact, the same designers rallying behind the HTML5 banner are taking a collective gasp, asking: What do you mean my authoring tool can’t export to HTML5? For developers like me, it’s an easy leap back into the world of hand coding, WYSIWYG programming, and browser testing. Developers who have only used authoring tools, though, are probably going to struggle in this new world.To be sure, several popular authoring tools now export to HTML5, but the consistency of the projects to work across browsers is still an issue. The authoring tools are getting better, but until a pure HTML5 authoring tool is available (they are coming!!!!), the best way to create HTML5 content is to code it specifically for the device used in your environment. Bottom line: The only way to properly create a solid HTML5 course is to hand code it yourself.Basically, this means that industry has come full circle—back to programming our own e-learning courseware, back to web standards, back to structured programming. So, if you ran away from programming and hand coding (and into the arms of your favorite e-learning authoring tool), but are now on the HTML 5 bandwagon, you are going to face a huge learning curve.For guidance on how to pair e-learning development tools with your own programming skills, check out Technology for Trainers, 2nd Edition. This updated ATD Press book guides technology-hungry trainers through e-learning development, with brand-new chapters on mobile devices, learning management systems, and e-learning development software.

Programming Is Back: The Rise of HTML5 for E Learning

“What is e-learning?” “It’s a PowerPoint deck with a quiz at the end of it.” Does this exchange sound familiar? In March of 2010, I started to experience a dilemma regarding the use of e-learning authoring tools. Clients were beginning to ask that I use a specific tool to build their e-learning projects. Until that point, they didn't seem to care; the final, SCORM-wrapped package was all that mattered. Program it in HTML? Flash? C++? As long as the final solution or offering worked in their LMS, the client was satisfied. Here was my dilemma: Do I advertise the specific authoring tools that I used—in an effort get more customer interest? Should I tell potential customers that I was capable of programming their content in Captivate or Lectora? Does it make me more marketable because I use these tools? Does it make me less of an e-learning programmer because I use authoring tools? Read that last sentence again: Does it make me less of an e-learning programmer because I use authoring tools? Fast-forward to 2015. Everyone seems to have their favorite authoring tool. What’s more, vendors are stepping up to deliver even more. In fact, I have consulted with organizations that are building the “Next Best E-Learning Authoring Tool” on the market—so I know what cool things are coming down the pike. And e-learning and training conferences host a multitude of hands-on sessions regarding these tools, and talk frequently about their benefits, features, and best practices. Fortunately, I jumped on the authoring tool bandwagon in a big way in 2012—or my business would have been negatively affected. But then, in addition to my original dilemma, I became concerned that with everyone using authoring tools, the profession would start turning out cookie-cutter solutions and simple interactions. Would instructional designers start to dumb down their storyboards to suit documented functionality of a chosen tool? Would companies simply import training PowerPoint decks and add quick voice-over explanations and a quiz and calling it e-learning?Would course developers embrace the limitations of a specific tool rather than create e-learning programs that best supported learning goals—and potentially break the rules of what the tool could do? I imagine that many of you have experienced a similar dilemma. This begs the question: Do you “program” e-learning courseware using an authoring tool, and do you find that you’re locked into the primary functions and capabilities of the tool—failing to bring in engaging, interactive elements? All of this is to say: Is lousy e-learning simply the result of L&D professionals using authoring tools, or is it the outcome of developers failing to pair the full potential of these tools with all of the other programming expertise and learning tools at their disposal? What about video? What about original or adapted game elements? What about Flash or HTML 5 animations that can be built externally?        “What is e-learning?”        “It’s a PowerPoint deck with a quiz at the end of it.” Is that how you want your e-learning projects described? Not likely. Instead, let’s commit to going beyond the limits of our authoring tools and incorporating additional elements that make our e-learning solutions extraordinary! To learn how to use all the e-learning development weapons in your arsenal, check out Technology for Trainers, 2nd Edition. This updated ATD Press book guides technology-hungry trainers through e-learning development—without the jargon. With brand-new chapters on mobile devices, learning management systems, and e-learning development software, Technology for Trainers illuminates the techniques and processes needed to build any technology-based learning solution.

Breaking the Limits of Authoring Tools

Learning professionals have tons of technology tools and platforms at their disposal: e-learning authoring tools, learning management systems (LMSes), video, mobile, animations, and much more. Learn how to make the best use of them all.

Technology for Trainers, 2nd Edition

SOFTWARE BEST 2 BUY

Gail Anderson, president of Applause, is on a mission to help you find your inner superstar speaker so you can create and deliver presentations that deserve applause. After more than 20 years of coaching people from a wide range of organizations and functions, Gail knows she can teach anyone to create compelling content and deliver meetings, training, or presentations with confidence and credibility. She is determined to help others who struggle to find their confidence, and who find it difficult to organize their thoughts and their words. No matter what you do, if speaking clearly and confidently is a critical skill, she can help you master it. Gail has worked with individuals from a wide range of organizations and industries, including Agropur, BAE Systems/United Defense, Cargill, the city of Minneapolis, Delphi, Emerson Process/Rosemount, Faegre Baker Daniels, the Metropolitan Council, Optum, The Mosaic Company, the University of Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas, and others. Gail has a MA in human resource and change leadership from the University of St. Thomas, and a BS in business from the University of Minnesota. Gail has served on the board of directors and is a past president  for ASTD-TCC. She is the author of the forthcoming book, SuperStar: How to Create and Deliver Winning Presentations.

Gail Anderson

Thomas Hartmann is creative content producer for Reflection Software. He has worked on a variety of film projects including feature-length documentaries and corporate training projects. He attended the University of Notre Dame, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematography and Editing from Columbia College in 2001 when he began to freelance as a videographer and film producer. Since that time, Thomas' experience in both production and post-production has allowed him to create truly unique and memorable films and training videos.Sessions

Thomas Hartmann

Julie Thomas, president and CEO of ValueSelling Associates, is a noted speaker, consultant, and author of ValueSelling: Driving Sales Up One Conversation at a Time. She credits her mastery of the ValueSelling Framework® for her own meteoric rise through the ranks of sales, sales management and corporate leadership positions and takes pride that Gartner has positioned ValueSelling Associates as a Leader in the 2021 Magic Quadrant for Sales Training Service Providers.Julie’s work is devoted to helping sales organizations compete confidently on value, not price. She teaches a simple process to manage the conversation with prospects and customers that develops a mutual understanding regarding how sales representatives can add value to the buyer and their business. Julie believes in the power of the human-to-human connection. She is passionate about helping sales professionals master communication skills to compete and win in an increasingly technology-enabled sales environment.Because of Julie’s leadership, ValueSelling Associates has been recognized by both SellingPower and Training Industry magazines as a leader in the sales training industry.

Julie Thomas

Ron Thomas is a globally recognized strategist, educator, and thought leader in human resources and organizational transformation. He currently serves as Managing Director of Strategy Focused Group, an international consulting firm with headquarters in Dubai and offices in New York City and Singapore.

In the academic realm, Ron is a Visiting Executive Faculty Member at the Human Capital Institute and an Adjunct Facilitator for EMBA programs at both Howard University and the American University of the Emirates in Dubai. He also contributes to the Global Human Resources Leadership Institute at the Howard University School of Business.

Throughout his distinguished career, Ron has held pivotal leadership roles, including CEO of Great Place to Work – MENA, CHRO of Al Raha Group in Riyadh, and Vice President of Human Resources at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. His strategic expertise has guided institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dubai Tourism, and the Singapore Government Civil Service.

Widely recognized for his contributions to the HR field, Ron has received numerous accolades, including:

- Top 5 HR/Leadership Thinkers in the Middle East (CIPD)
- Outstanding Leadership Award for Global HR Excellence
- Asia’s 50 Most Talented Global HR Leaders
- Global 200 Inspirational Leaders Award
- Power 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership

As a prolific writer and speaker, Ron’s insights have been featured in leading publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, and Workforce Management. He is a regular contributor to HR.com, ERE.net, and other global HR platforms, where he shares his expertise on workforce strategy, leadership, and organizational design.

- ERE Author Profile: ere.net/authors/ron-thomas
- MEHRL Spotlight Interview: me-hrl.com/spotlight-ron-thomas-global-leader-in-strategy-and-human-resources
- Best Practice Institute Profile: blog.bestpracticeinstitute.org/profile-ron-thomas/

Beyond consulting and academia, Ron serves on the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and McKinsey’s Quarterly Executive Online Panel. As a global speaker, he captivates audiences with compelling presentations that inspire transformative thinking and position HR as a driver of strategic growth.

Ron’s dynamic career reflects his enduring passion for leadership, innovation, and knowledge-sharing—empowering organizations and individuals to realize their full potential across industries and regions.

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