I am in the process of revamping one of my elearning courses. I am curious what would be better to use in Storyline, Multiple layers or multiple slides? My course currently uses both, but As we all know slide give you the ability to add things such as zooms, but I was wondering if they were harder to process than layers. Thanks in advance.
This is a tough question because in order to decide whether to use layers or slides, one has to have a clear picture of what the project is (a course map so to speak and actions included therein).
All I can say is you are on the right track. All the projects I have created are always a combination of using slides and layers. It cannot be helped because there will be segments in the course that call for slides while others are better much suited to layers. Maybe you can give us a clearer idea of what goes on in the course (activities, animations, effects) then we can suggest whether it'd be better to use layers or slides for them.
The course is basically a software tutorial. It consists of sections that contain clickable items that lead to explaining slide or layer.
Im about to try to make an simplified example so let me apologize in advance...
For example if section 1 is "Types of Cookies", the clickable items might be "chocolate chip", "sugar", and "Peanut butter". When you click on "chocolate chip" it should lead to a slide (or layer) about that cookie before returning to the section menu screen.
Again sorry for the example but I hope maybe it helped lol.
Again, I use a combination but in the example you cited, I may be more inclined to use layers. John made a great point.. I love segregating them in scenes too.
For example, I deal with a software that is used to manage intelligent IP video solutions.
I have separate scenes for: How to add IP cameras, Configuring Storage, Setting recording schedules
I break down into individual slides the steps outlining: How to add the IP cameras
Within each step - there may be various options they can choose from - I use layers to highlight these.. I am also a big fan of Lightbox slides.
I mostly use the lightboxes for "options or features" - coz it's easily accessible that way and they can just exit out of it and be back on the slide they were on. So if I don't feel like using layers, I use the lightbox.
It's very straightforward..I reserve all of the fun stuff on the other projects because where I work we have a "Challenge" section where all the cool features of storyline get exploited lol.
I recommend you have a separate project for "challenges". It's fun and you can get them to really practice the software hands on.
Anyways, In the "Cameras" section I used lightbox slides then on the "Scheduler" and "Configuration Wizard", I made use of layers.
Oh and my voice is not normally that "manly".. LOL.. that's all thanks to my very cooperative husband.. all he wanted was some wonderfully cooked asian food. hahaha..
Seriously though.. the advantage of making use of lightbox slides is that you can really take advantage of the fact that it is a slide so you can add layers in it as well. And for tracking purposes, storyline tracks slide views but doesn't track "layer" views so you can have more control in terms on ensuring that the course has been viewed by the learners.
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It kind of depends on what you are trying to do with your presentation....each one has its usefulness. I use both throughout my presentations.
Also, scenes are a great thing in Articulate. I have become very fond of scenes.
Hello Casey,
This is a tough question because in order to decide whether to use layers or slides, one has to have a clear picture of what the project is (a course map so to speak and actions included therein).
All I can say is you are on the right track. All the projects I have created are always a combination of using slides and layers. It cannot be helped because there will be segments in the course that call for slides while others are better much suited to layers. Maybe you can give us a clearer idea of what goes on in the course (activities, animations, effects) then we can suggest whether it'd be better to use layers or slides for them.
Donna
The course is basically a software tutorial. It consists of sections that contain clickable items that lead to explaining slide or layer.
Im about to try to make an simplified example so let me apologize in advance...
For example if section 1 is "Types of Cookies", the clickable items might be "chocolate chip", "sugar", and "Peanut butter". When you click on "chocolate chip" it should lead to a slide (or layer) about that cookie before returning to the section menu screen.
Again sorry for the example but I hope maybe it helped lol.
In your example, I would use layers for the cookie types.
All my projects are on software as well..
Again, I use a combination but in the example you cited, I may be more inclined to use layers. John made a great point.. I love segregating them in scenes too.
For example, I deal with a software that is used to manage intelligent IP video solutions.
I have separate scenes for: How to add IP cameras, Configuring Storage, Setting recording schedules
I break down into individual slides the steps outlining: How to add the IP cameras
Within each step - there may be various options they can choose from - I use layers to highlight these.. I am also a big fan of Lightbox slides.
Ok thanks guys! Donna, What do you use lightbox for?
I mostly use the lightboxes for "options or features" - coz it's easily accessible that way and they can just exit out of it and be back on the slide they were on. So if I don't feel like using layers, I use the lightbox.
Hello Casey,
Here's an example of a project that I made.
It's very straightforward..I reserve all of the fun stuff on the other projects because where I work we have a "Challenge" section where all the cool features of storyline get exploited lol.
I recommend you have a separate project for "challenges". It's fun and you can get them to really practice the software hands on.
Anyways, In the "Cameras" section I used lightbox slides then on the "Scheduler" and "Configuration Wizard", I made use of layers.
Hope this helps,
Donna
Donna,
Great job, I see now that I definitely need to utilize the lightboxes more.
Oh and my voice is not normally that "manly".. LOL.. that's all thanks to my very cooperative husband.. all he wanted was some wonderfully cooked asian food. hahaha..
Lol he has a very good voice for narrating .
Seriously though.. the advantage of making use of lightbox slides is that you can really take advantage of the fact that it is a slide so you can add layers in it as well. And for tracking purposes, storyline tracks slide views but doesn't track "layer" views so you can have more control in terms on ensuring that the course has been viewed by the learners.
Yea I still have a whole lot to learn about the whole tracking learners process in Articulate Storyline.
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