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Using Number Variables in E-Learning #301: Challenge | Recap

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Articulate Storyline's states, layers, triggers, and slides are the building blocks that make it easy to create interactive e-learning. In most cases, the showcase examples you see in our examples and downloads hubs never use variables. But when you want to create more dynamic and personalized learning experiences, you'll need to know how to use variables.

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Variables are a way to remember information—such as a learner's name or numeric input—and then present dynamic content based on that information. They're also a great way to add conditional interactivity to your course. 

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And in this week's challenge, we're looking at number variables.

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Challenge of the Week

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This week, your challenge is to share an example that demonstrates how number variables can be used in e-learning.

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Variables can be tricky if you've never used them. If you have a concept or idea you're trying to show but get stuck or have questions, let us know in the forums and we'll help you out.

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Resources

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Here are some good resources, examples, and training webinars to help you get started working with number variables in Storyline 360.

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User Guide

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• Storyline 360: Working with Variables
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• Storyline 360: Adding Variable References
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E-Learning Challenges

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• Random Number Variables in E-Learning #188: Challenge | Recap
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• Use Learner's Name in E-Learning Course #222: Challenge | Recap
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• True/False Variables in E-Learning #271: Challenge | Recap
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• Random Number Variables in E-Learning #278: Challenge | Recap
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• Using Variables to Compare Answers in E-Learning #292: Challenge | Recap
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Training Webinars

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• Storyline 360 Essentials: Work with Number Variables
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• Getting Started with Variables in Storyline 360
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Share Your E-Learning Work

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• Comments: Use the comments section below to share a link to your published example and blog post.
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• Forums: Start  your own thread and share a link to your published example..
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• Personal blog:  If you have a blog, please consider writing about your challenges. We’ll link back to your posts so the great work you’re sharing gets even more exposure.
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• Social Media: If you share your demos on Twitter or LinkedIn, try using #ELHChallenge so your tweeps can track your e-learning coolness.
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Last Week’s Challenge:

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Before you calculate your design approach for this week’s challenge, take a few minutes to check out the creative ways sliders can be used to create interactive documents and manuals.

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Interactive Documents with Sliders #300: Challenge | Recap

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New to the E-Learning Challenges?

\n

The weekly e-learning challenges are ongoing opportunities to learn, share, and build your e-learning portfolios. You can jump into any or all of the previous challenges anytime you want. I’ll update the recap posts to include your demos.

\n

Using Number Variables in E-Learning #301: Challenge | Recap

\n

Articulate Storyline's states, layers, triggers, and slides are the building blocks that make it easy to create interactive e-learning. In most cases, the showcase examples you see in our examples and downloads hubs never use variables. But when you want to create more dynamic and personalized learning experiences, you'll need to know how to use variables.

\n

Variables are a way to remember information—such as a learner's name or numeric input—and then present dynamic content based on that information. They're also a great way to add conditional interactivity to your course. 

\n

And in this week's challenge, we're looking at number variables.

\n

Challenge of the Week

\n

This week, your challenge is to share an example that demonstrates how number variables can be used in e-learning.

\n

Variables can be tricky if you've never used them. If you have a concept or idea you're trying to show but get stuck or have questions, let us know in the forums and we'll help you out.

\n

Resources

\n

Here are some good resources, examples, and training webinars to help you get started working with number variables in Storyline 360.

\n

User Guide

\n

\n
• Storyline 360: Working with Variables
\n
• Storyline 360: Adding Variable References
\n

\n

E-Learning Challenges

\n

\n
• Random Number Variables in E-Learning #188: Challenge | Recap
\n
• Use Learner's Name in E-Learning Course #222: Challenge | Recap
\n
• True/False Variables in E-Learning #271: Challenge | Recap
\n
• Random Number Variables in E-Learning #278: Challenge | Recap
\n
• Using Variables to Compare Answers in E-Learning #292: Challenge | Recap
\n

\n

Training Webinars

\n

\n
• Storyline 360 Essentials: Work with Number Variables
\n
• Getting Started with Variables in Storyline 360
\n

\n

Share Your E-Learning Work

\n

\n
• Comments: Use the comments section below to share a link to your published example and blog post.
\n
• Forums: Start  your own thread and share a link to your published example..
\n
• Personal blog:  If you have a blog, please consider writing about your challenges. We’ll link back to your posts so the great work you’re sharing gets even more exposure.
\n
• Social Media: If you share your demos on Twitter or LinkedIn, try using #ELHChallenge so your tweeps can track your e-learning coolness.
\n

\n

Last Week’s Challenge:

\n

Before you calculate your design approach for this week’s challenge, take a few minutes to check out the creative ways sliders can be used to create interactive documents and manuals.

\n

\n

Interactive Documents with Sliders #300: Challenge | Recap

\n

New to the E-Learning Challenges?

\n

The weekly e-learning challenges are ongoing opportunities to learn, share, and build your e-learning portfolios. You can jump into any or all of the previous challenges anytime you want. I’ll update the recap posts to include your demos.

Hi all,
Let me share the first example; https://bit.ly/3dbhogk

Actually, I created this one for the challenge 278, but couldn't finish it on time and missed the recap.
I really enjoyed the final work so wanted to share it again. Maybe it helps to inspire.

I created a storytelling web app which can be used in language lessons or just for fun.
Here you can read more about it; https://bit.ly/33GKvoJ

A note for David Anderson: I know we are looking for examples which haven't been shared before, so if you decide not to add it to recap, it won't break my heart :)

Ridvan this is brilliant! Similar to the storytelling cubes, but way more fun. Loved it.

Thank you Kelly,
I was trying to create something similar to storytelling cubes when I started to build it. When I missed the recap of that challenge, I went on working on it and voila :)

As a former ELL teacher, this is a great activity. It would be really awesome if SL would have some sort of way for students to record themselves telling their story and then they could play it back.

That's a good idea, Jeni. I guess it can be done with JavaScript or a by the help of a widget. I will definitely try it. Thanks.

Wow, impressive!

Hello!

In this demo I have used a combination of JavaScript and number variables to incorporate the current time and date in the quiz...

BACK IN TIME

Demo: http://bit.ly/elhc301
Blog: http://bit.ly/elhc301bl

\"Great Scott!\"

Inspiring as always! My kids and I just watched all three of the BTF movies. I've said \"Great Scott!\" a few times since.

Epic! And, I got them all right! (history buff!)

Got to get back in time, oh, oh, oh, back in time.

Lots of fun and use of variables was seamless.

I just recently redid my very first ELHC to track the users score. I did not know anything about variables when I did my first one and I was very frustrated at the time that I couldn't figure out how to show the score. I actually remember thinking \"I guess they will just have to practice their addition skills.\"
I now know how! Thanks to this wonderful community and the great tutorials and challenges that have kept me learning and growing.

Do I sound like a commercial??

I also read today on Linkedin that you can add sound to states!! Who knew!? So I went and added a little \"ding\" to the health score state when you first see your score.

https://kfinnstoryline.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Self+Health+Quiz+-+Storyline+output/story.html

Kelly, I like interactive surveys and the score feature (using variables) worked great! Well done!

Thank you, Ron!

That was great Kelly, and the sfx really make a difference!

Thanks! I enjoyed finding just the right sounds. Crunching carrot might be my fave lol

Hi all,

I created this sample a while ago for my (still in progress) portfolio . I think it fits this challenge perfectly, so here goes - http://anuradhagopusbucket.s3.amazonaws.com/Portfolio%20Samples/Fraction%20Action/story.html

In this sample, I use a number variable to count the number of pizza slices placed on the plate, since it's not a simple drag and drop case (I wanted the user to be able to place ANY pizza slice on the plate, to reach the required fraction).

Let me know what you all think of it! I have not been a very frequent poster on the ELH Challenges, mainly because I am still slow in coming up with ideas and creating something for these challenges (I am amazed at how you guys come up with such awesome ideas every week for these challenges, and that too in record time!) Here's hoping I get better at posting here.

Thanks,

Anuradha

This is a great educational program to teach kids (of all ages) the concepts of fractions. I had a great job throwing slices of pizza on a plate. The interaction was enjoyable and the background executes beautifully.

Thank you so much Ron! :)

Well done Anuradha. Great example of the use of variables. I love the layout, colour choice and interactions. The details on how shapes and items fly in or fade are very smooth and the audio elements fit perfectly. Very impressive!

That was excellent Anuradha! Great design and very well executed :)

And re the 'coming up with ideas' it's kinda like a muscle, the more you use it the quicker you become, so keep em coming!

Good timing! I was going to share a final version of this in challenge #300, but I might as well share it here instead:

https://360.articulate.com/review/content/90f4d53b-b7e0-4658-8941-ebba74779467/review

If you've played a real-time strategy computer game before, this interactive tutorial plays a lot like StarCraft. Basically, you hover your mouse cursor over the edges of the screen to scroll the image in that direction. You can even use arrow keys if it gets finicky for you!


I use plenty of variables to update and keep track of where the image is located in space. I also use variables to track how many markers are being selected after navigating.

It was fun moving around a screen that was bigger than it appeared. Great example, Daniel.

This was fun! I discovered that if I scrolled with the mouse it would always jump two screens either way, because when I moved my mouse back onto the screen it thought I was scrolling again. I tried many times to no avail. Thankfully, you put in a hint that the arrows also worked, and I was successful in killing the Zerg! Nice job!

Here is mine.

https://360.articulate.com/review/content/c7e90a2d-d2e2-4f38-b720-059b652dbed2/review

I hate (or love) budgeting like most Americans. This was a fun way to play with a budget and see instant results. Nice use of variables.

Nancy, I loved this! Your markers were adorable and I loved that they told what each category entailed. I need this in my life, Thank you.

That's so nice Nancy, super helpful and easy and clear to use.

Hello E-Learning Heros!

I created this mobile-optimized questionnaire to allow employees to pre-screen themselves for Covid-19 symptoms prior to reporting to work. It uses variables to collect answers to each response and gives a final screen based on responses. It uses JavaScript and a variable to create a TimeStamp on the final screen.

Demo: https://360.articulate.com/review/content/7ae4cc08-462d-4263-b056-9add4629ae27/review

Download: https://mywebsiteron.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/covid+19+selfcheck_unwrapped.story


Feel free to modify for your own use. Your feedback is appreciated.

That's really useful Ron!

How cool, Ron! I have been to different medial facilities so many times in the last few months (torn ligaments in my ankle) that I knew what questions were coming next. I have had to answer these questions in person, and I have done them on my phone through a portal before even going into the office. Very useful, I might show it to the receptionist the next time I go. Loved it.

Hi all,
Here is a Horse Trivia game I recently created for my local horse stable. Numerical variables are the basis of this entire interaction... the randomized dice roll, keeping track of where the piece is on the board, score, etc, all has is controlled by numerical variables. Hope you enjoy! I also based it on my own horse, of course, named Freya ;)

Demo: http://melissaforster.com/wp-content/uploads/articulate_uploads/HorseGame_mobile5/story.html

I really love your drawing, Melissa. Your storytelling, your instructions, your music and above all the gameplay are perfect. Unfortunately, I am a very pitiful cowboy and I lost Freya. Sorry.

Melissa this was beautiful and so well thought out. From the sound effects to your introduction video (by the way, you definitely have a voice that should be used in tutorials, its very calming and gentle), to the way the horse changed direction when he turned a corner. I lost my first round right away because I didn't know anything about gaited horses. But I won the second round and got Freya home! Thank you for sharing this!.

Melissa, really nice graphics and music and sounds with this game.

Happy 301st challenge everyone.

Here's a board game called Virus Wars which I wouldn't be able to create in Storyline without a great help of number variables:
https://www.elearningdesigner.co.uk/single-post/make-storyline-number-variables-become-your-turbocharged-game-engine

Here's a list of number variables I made work to:
- measure nurse and virus strength starting with 100% vitality for the virus and 0% for nurse
- roll the dice (random number variable generating 1-6 dots on each face six-sided dice)
- move the player along path by number of moves the dice rolled
- count on which numbered spot the player is (there are 50 spots in total)
- count questions asked

Enjoy and beat the virus!

Sensational!!! Awesome work Joanna. I did not know that designing a game like this is possible with Articulate. The design including colour and font choice are superb. The audio elements fit perfectly and overall the course looks very modern and engaging. I am very impressed with your work and might reach out to you soon. I'm looking for some \"game\" options to break up some longer eLearning programs we're designing at the moment. Thank you for sharing your \"Virus Wars\"...

Woohoo Joanna, I love that!

Stunning as usual Joanna

Add Up a Column of Numbers
Demo: https://tinyurl.com/yx92dl2p
Download: https://tinyurl.com/y3vdtj9x

Simple math demo this week, in case you are rusty like I am.

Very simple but very effective, Jodi.
Thank you because you are answering a question that has tortured me for weeks. How to add (or subtract, or multiply ...) two (or more) variables? For instance, to have the sum of two random dice in my project. Fortunately, the answer is in the file you are sharing. You create a SUM variable and add the first variable to it, then add the second, then ...
So simple, I didn't find this.

Great interaction, Jodi! The eraser motion was a nice touch. I really wanted to type in my numbers from right to left, since I was carrying over while adding. I wonder if adding three fields that didn't do anything right above where you type your final answer would work. Or maybe the whole point is to do it all in your head? If so, then totally never mind lol. I'm not sure I COULD add those numbers without a paper and pencil, but math is not my strong suit. Lovely as always, Jodi, and thank you for sharing your notes. I have definitely learned from them.

By the time I was done building this demo my brain started adding better and I was carrying the numbers quicker...but I learned to add millions of years ago, and now I understand there is a new method that teaches addition from left to right.....

Thanks for sharing. Do you have any tricks for aligning number variables? The \"align\" function still doesn't get them nice and neat like your example. Maybe it's me ;)

My alignment method is to spend hours nudging them right and left until they are where I want them to be, which is not very efficient. :) I haven't figured it out myself. I used a right alignment on the variables so that helped a little bit.