Help training about variables
Jun 04, 2014
Hello,
I am looking for resources for training my department in general variable use. I am working with a group that has classroom experience and basic web-design, but are intimidated by the complexity of variables. My goal is to give them some basic scenarios to become comfortable with using variables, so they can use them in their own projects.
Does anyone know of any documents, resources, or scenarios they have used to teach people about what variables to use and when to use them?
Thank you,
Stephen
5 Replies
I am not sure if you need a resource, variables are a way of storing and passing information. Iwould look at running through some real world senarios with them e.g.
Build a menu that unlocks as you progress through the course
Build a certificate or other course element with the users name in
Build a data entry slide
Build a game with scoring
Build a progress meter
Post to twitter from within a course
I think most users will find building these examples will explain what variables are and how the can be used.
Hi Stephen!
Phil's suggestions are really good. He's right - if you just keep it simple and build one small example of each kind of object I think the ideas will start flowing.
You didn't mention basic training on variables, but there are 6 simple tutorials right here on the site that will walk you through each one. I turn to them to refresh my memory as needed: http://community.articulate.com/tutorials/products/working-with-variables.aspx
And of course there's always the Storyline showcase that has some good inspirational examples of what you can do with variables - the description of each will tell you whether variables were used: https://www.articulate.com/products/storyline-showcase.php
Here's an example that illustrates how to change a number variable, how to display the variable in a %reference%, how to setup a listener for one variable to change the value of another, and how to listen to a value to change the state of an object. Could be helpful to pull things apart and see how they work.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19820702/sl_beta/variables_demo.story
Honestly, I would ease them in and start them with what variables are (in storyline). A variable is a symbol that can have different values. In storyline there are three types of variables.
You can also think of variables as Jars with labels on the outside and stuff stored inside.
The type of variable is the type of jar. For this scenario you can only store certain things in the three different types of jars. One jar you can only store buttons, the other jar you can only store bugs, and the last jar you can only store peanut butter or jelly, not both (True or false).
The labels would be the name of the variable. It makes things easier if the name of the variable applies to what it stores. If you are going to put beetles in one jar, it won't help you later on if you just label it "Jar01" (or variable01). Since you might change the content, in this case the bug, you can label it "Bugs".
The content, or values, of the jar can be changed at any time, but you can only have one value at a time. Think of the bugs as carnivores and they eat the previous occupant. If you need to do math equations, then make sure you create the numbers variable.
Here are some examples for the different type of variables
Text - : User name or text response
Numbers - Quiz Score, Slide numbers
True/False -Track if the user completed a slide or activity.
Just my two cents.
Hi Stephen
Not sure of age group you engaging in your department.
Here are a few things I learnt about variables while using Articulate:
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