Stop Feeding the Rider
By
Cath Ellis
I used to bribe developers with sweets to help me run Adapt. Now? It’s my secret weapon. Discover why I ditched traditional tools to build responsive “Learning Apps.”
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I have a confession: I suffer from “Shiny Tool Syndrome.”
Like most eLearning practitioners, I am constantly hunting for the next big thing. I started my relationship with Adobe Captivate, moved on to a passionate affair with Articulate Storyline (that flexibility is hard to beat), but for the last two years, my heart has belonged to Adapt.
It wasn’t love at first sight. In fact, it was a rocky start involving bribery, frustration, and a near-breakup.
Here is why I stuck with it, and why I now consider it the most powerful tool in my arsenal.
When the Open Source Adapt Framework was first released, I wanted in. But let’s be honest: it was techy. Really techy.
I remember actually bribing the Dev team at work with bags of sweets just to help me install it on my computer. I managed to customise my first course, felt like a hacker for about five minutes, hit a technical wall, and totally gave up.
It wasn’t until the Adapt Builder was released that the spark returned. I bought more lollies, got the Builder installed, and it felt like Christmas morning. But something was still missing. My courses functioned, but they lacked that high-end “polish.”
I turned to YouTube (as we all do) and found the Learning Pool Masterclass series.
I realised that Learning Pool hadn’t just hosted Adapt; they had supercharged it. They added functionality and stability that I couldn’t replicate on my own. Once I subscribed to their Builder plan, everything clicked. The courses went from “functional” to “stunning.”
Here are the specific features that make Adapt (specifically the Learning Pool Builder) my daily driver:
1. The “App” Mindset (Responsive HTML) I don’t call what I build “eLearning” anymore. I tell my stakeholders I am building them an “App.” The moment you change that language, their eyes light up. Because Adapt is truly responsive (not just shrinking the screen like other tools), it feels native on a phone. It allows me to build “Just-in-Time” training that lives in the learner’s pocket.
2. Deep Branching The first time I used the branching feature, it blew my mind. Honestly, the Learning Pool Builder is worth the subscription cost for this function alone. It allows for complex, non-linear storytelling that standard slide-based tools struggle to handle gracefully.
3. Custom Themes & CSS I can save my themes. This sounds small, but not having to input my Hex codes every single time I start a project saves me hours. Plus, with the ability to inject custom CSS, I can push the branding beyond the template to match my stakeholders’ exact guidelines.
4. One-Page Magic Sometimes you don’t need a course; you need a resource. The ability to create long-scrolling, one-page modules is perfect for micro-learning.
Is it perfect? No tool is. Here is what I am hoping to see in future updates:
If you are still sitting on the fence, or if you tried the Open Source version years ago and gave up, give it another go.
The support ecosystem (forums, videos, help desk) is fantastic, and the learning curve has flattened significantly. It takes a moment to shift your mindset from “Slides” to “Scrolls,” but once you do, you won’t look back.
Thinking of moving to a responsive tool but scared of the learning curve? Book a coaching session with me, and let’s review your needs to see if Adapt fits your workflow.
