Widgets play a key role in accelerating eLearning development while maintaining consistency and usability. In the new Adobe Captivate, widgets are designed to be responsive, easy to configure, and adaptable across learning contexts—without relying on complex timelines or advanced actions.

This post explores five must-use widgets in the new Adobe Captivate and how they support effective learning design.

Why Widgets Matter in Modern eLearning

Widgets allow instructional designers to focus on learning design rather than technical setup. Instead of building interactions from scratch, widgets provide structured components that are ready to use and easy to adapt.

Effective use of widgets helps to:

• Reduce development time

• Maintain design consistency

• Improve learner engagement

• Support responsive and accessible design

The new Adobe Captivate places widgets at the center of this streamlined workflow.

1. Tabs Widget

The Tabs widget is ideal for organizing related content into clearly separated sections.

Best used for:

• Comparing concepts or features

• Presenting categories or roles

• Breaking down complex topics

Design tip:
Limit the number of tabs and use concise headings so learners can quickly understand what each section contains.

2. Accordion Widget

The Accordion widget allows learners to expand and collapse content sections, making it perfect for layered information.

Works well for:

• Policies and procedures

• FAQs

• Supporting or reference content

Design tip:
Use descriptive titles and keep each accordion panel focused on a single idea to avoid cognitive overload.

3. Process Widget

The Process widget guides learners through a sequence of steps in a clear, structured way.

Ideal for:

• Workflows and procedures

• Onboarding journeys

• Step-by-step instructions

Design tip:
Add a brief introduction explaining why the process matters before learners explore each step.

4. Click-to-Reveal Widget

The Click-to-Reveal widget encourages exploration by allowing learners to uncover information at their own pace.

Common use cases:

• Definitions and explanations

• Tips and best practices

• Examples and scenarios

Design tip:
Keep revealed content short and focused to maintain engagement and clarity.

5. Knowledge Check Widget

The Knowledge Check widget allows designers to reinforce learning without the pressure of formal assessment.

Best used for:

• Quick understanding checks

• Reflection points within content

• Reinforcing key concepts

Design tip:
Place knowledge checks immediately after key learning sections to strengthen retention.

Best Practices for Using Widgets Effectively

To get the most value from widgets in the new Adobe Captivate:

• Align each widget with a clear learning objective

• Avoid overusing widgets on a single screen

• Maintain consistent patterns across the course

• Balance interactivity with content clarity

Widgets should enhance learning—not distract from it.

Why These Widgets Stand Out in the New Adobe Captivate

What makes these widgets especially valuable is their responsiveness and ease of use. They adapt seamlessly across devices and require minimal configuration, allowing instructional designers to create polished courses more efficiently.

Conclusion

Widgets are a powerful way to build structured, engaging eLearning experiences, and the new Adobe Captivate makes them more accessible than ever. By using these five must-use widgets thoughtfully, instructional designers can create courses that are interactive, consistent, and learner-centered—without unnecessary complexity.

When used strategically, widgets become building blocks for effective learning design.