Tools I Use

Writing, research, content review, and building most of this site. The model I reference in every guide here. I use Claude for everything from drafting SME feedback frameworks to debugging Astro components.

Research with citations. I use it to cross-check claims and find primary sources before publishing anything. Better than a standard search for verifying L&D research.

Image generation, video creation, and deep research. I use Gemini for generating visuals, creating video content, and running Deep Research on complex L&D topics. NotebookLM is part of the Google AI ecosystem and is how I build audio overviews from source material. Strong complement to Claude for different use cases.

AI-generated presentations and one-pagers. Good for rapid stakeholder briefs, executive summaries, and job aid prototypes when you need something visual fast.

Screen capture and annotation. I have used Snagit for every module walkthrough, annotated screenshot, and process documentation screenshot for the last 10 years. It is the one tool I reinstall first on every new machine.

Screen recording and software simulation video. The L&D standard for system demos, walkthroughs, and recorded facilitation. Lower barrier to entry than Premiere or DaVinci for L&D use cases.

Infographics, job aids, social graphics, and presentation design. If your team is building L&D visuals without a dedicated graphic designer, Canva closes most of that gap.

The industry standard. Rise for responsive, accessible courses built fast. Storyline for custom interactions, branching scenarios, and anything that needs precise control. I built the majority of a 637 module library using Articulate 360.

No affiliate relationship. I recommend it because it is what most L&D teams use and what most IDs already know.

Advanced eLearning authoring with strong software simulation, responsive design, and VR content capabilities. A solid alternative to Articulate for teams already in the Adobe ecosystem. The 2024 rewrite improved the interface significantly.

No affiliate relationship.

Solid mid-market LMS. Clean interface, straightforward reporting, and reasonable pricing. Best fit for internal teams under 500 learners who need something reliable without enterprise overhead.

Enterprise LMS with strong reporting, a clean learner experience, and solid API. Good fit for mid-to-large organizations that need both internal and external training on one platform. The admin interface is one of the better ones in the enterprise space.

No affiliate relationship.

Multi-portal LMS built for organizations running internal, customer, and partner training from one platform. Clean setup, strong SCORM support, and a learner experience that doesn't require a training session to navigate. I have deployed LearnUpon in production and it handled the complexity well.

No affiliate relationship.

AI-powered enterprise learning platform. Strong for organizations that need content marketplace integration, social learning, and advanced analytics. The AI features (content suggestions, auto-tagging) are more mature than most competitors. Complex to configure but powerful once set up.

No affiliate relationship.

Project management, content planning, and database tracking. I run editorial calendars, project trackers, and resource libraries in Notion. The database and linked views are what make it truly useful for L&D ops work. Affiliate link via Cuelinks — 50% commission for 12 months on paid plans.

Personal knowledge base. Free, local-first, and markdown-based. My primary environment for research notes, article drafts, and building the frameworks that eventually become newsletter content. Nothing lives in the cloud it does not need to.

Free to use. No affiliate relationship.