If you are involved in creating eLearning content, it’s useful to learn Adobe Captivate, as it is one of the most widely used tools for creating online learning. The time it takes to learn Captivate depends on several factors, including the complexity of the projects you want to create, whether you want to incorporate quizzes and tests into your training, as well as your prior experience with similar software.
Gaining Essential Captivate Skills for Basic Projects
If your are looking to gain basic skills in using Adobe Captivate, such as creating simple eLearning modules and interactive content, you can expect to spend about 12 hours in a classroom or live online course. Introductory training is ideal for beginners to elearning who need to understand the basics of Captivate, including navigating the interface, working with slides and assets, and publishing content.
Enrolling in a structured Captivate course from a reputable institution like the American Graphics Institute (AGI) helps you quickly gain essential skills. AGI’s introductory Captivate course, which takes place over two days or four evenings, provides a comprehensive overview that equips you with the necessary tools for starting to create your own elearning projects.
Learning Advanced Captivate Skills for Complex Projects
If your goal is to create more complex eLearning content you’ll need additional Captivate training to learn simulations, software demonstrations, interactive scenarios, as well as quizzes and tests. Learning these advanced features requires an additional 12 hours of training time.
An advanced course teaches skills such as creating responsive projects that work on mobile and desktop devices, using variables and actions, and integrating multimedia elements. The advanced course can be attended on its own if you already have experience using Captivate, or you can attend the introductory and the advanced Captivate training together as part of a Captivate Bootcamp which spans four days and includes 24 hours of training time. At the end of the bootcamp you are well equipped to create sophisticated and engaging eLearning training content.
Captivate Training Options and Time Investment
The time it takes to become proficient using Captivate ranges from two days to two weeks, depending upon the skills you need to be learn and the training method you prefer. Live courses offered online or in-person, such as those offered by AGI, provide a structured learning environment where you can interact with instructors in real-time, ask questions, receive immediate feedback, and gain skills quickly. These courses are more intensive, which allows you to quickly learn Captivate. Both the introductory course and advanced course are two days in length.
If you need to quickly go from beginner to advanced skills, AGI’s Captivate bootcamp offers an intensive Captivate training program that includes the introductory through advanced training over four consecutive days. This format is ideal for those who need to learn Captivate quickly.
How previous experience can help you learn Captivate
Your prior experience with other elearning tools, such as Camtasia, or other video editing apps, such as Premiere Pro, you may find it easier for you to learn Captivate. If you're already familiar with video editing principles, you’ll find it easier to understand many of Captivate’s tools and features.
Thos with a strong understand of PowerPoint also find it easier to lean Captivate and use its capabilities for converting presentations into narrated elearning content. While Captivate shares some similarities with other Adobe tools, it is primarily focused on eLearning and requires a different approach than Adobe Creative Cloud apps that are focused on graphic design, and Captivate is not part of the Creative Cloud.
Learning Captivate on Your Own
While it is possible to learn Captivate on your own, doing so can be challenging and time consuming. Fortunately, there are many resources available for all types of learners, ranging from free tutorials and videos, to paid courses with live instructors that are available online or in-person. For those who need to design eLearning content professionally, a structured Captivate course is a worthwhile investment that helps you gain skills more quickly.
Self-paced learning can be effective if you are disciplined about setting aside time to learn Captivate, and have a clear understanding of your learning objectives. If you want to gain Captivate skills more quickly, live courses provide the opportunity to engage directly with expert instructors, receive personalized feedback, and participate in hands-on project and exercises.
The Fastest Way to Learn Adobe Captivate
The fastest way to learn Captivate is by enrolling in a live, instructor-led course that provides intensive, hand-on learning. AGI’s Captivate courses, available both online and in-person, are examples of the types of courses that can teach you essential Captivate skills in as little as two days. The introductory course teaches the basics of Captivate, such as creating slides, adding interactivity, and publishing projects. For those needing to gain sophisticated skills, the advanced Captivate courses teach complex functionality while the bootcamp covers beginner to advanced skills in as little as four days.
Live courses with structured learning, hands-on projects, and real-time feedback from instructors helps you to learn Captivate quickly so that you are on your way to create professional eLearning content.