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Adobe Debuts eLearning Software

Adobe today announced an update to the company's electronic learning software, Captivate. The new version 3.0 will add enhanced recording capabilities and integration with Microsoft PowerPoint. It will ship in August.

Captivate 3 is an electronic learning tool designed for training, simulations, and interactive assessments. It provides virtual meeting rooms and operates within Adobe Acrobat Connect. Some of the features in version 3.0 include:

  • Support for SCORM 2004, SCORM 1.2, AICC, and PENS for integration with learning management systems;
  • Section 508 compliance;
  • Multi-mode recording for enhanced capture of meetings;
  • Re-recording capabilities;
  • The ability to import Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and convert them to Flash;
  • New visual effects for transitions;
  • Export of sessions to Flash Player-compatible formats;
  • XML export and import; and
  • Support for rich media, including Flash (SWF, FLV, FLA), MP3, and AVI.

Adobe Captivate 3 is expected be available in August--possibly next week--with support for various flavors of Microsoft Windows. (A Mac version, according to Adobe, is not presently in the works, though a company representative said the developer is open to the idea of bringing it to the Mac, should there be enough demand.) The software retails for $699, but the education price is $199 for a license, which is $100 less than the retail upgrade price of $299 for Macromedia Captivate 1 and 2 users. Localized versions in French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish are expected to be available in September.

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About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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