Blog Post

E-Learning Challenges
2 MIN READ

Share Your E-Learning Storyboard Templates #251

DavidAnderson's avatar
DavidAnderson
Staff
6 years ago

E-Learning Storyboard Examples #251: Challenge | Recap

Whether you prefer scripts, blueprints, or rapid prototypes, chances are you’re using some type of storyboard to plan and organize your e-learning projects. In most cases, successful projects depend on the designer’s use of a storyboard.

Storyboards are also one of the most popular discussions in our forums. New designers ask to see examples, download templates, and learn more about workflows and using storyboards. Experienced designers share their favorite tools and tips while debating the use of storyboards and prototypes.

Regardless of your experience, storyboards are a critical element in the course design process. And that’s what this week’s challenge is all about!

Challenge of the week

This week your challenge is to share an example of your preferred e-learning storyboard, blueprint, or scripting template. We want to see what you use and learn how you use it!

Share your storyboard templates

Do you have a storyboard template you’d like to share with the community? Great! Share your template in the comments and we’ll feature it in our downloads gallery.

Questions to answer

Whether you share a template this week or just want to join the discussion, I’d love to get your feedback on one or more of following questions:

  • How do you define scripting, storyboarding, and prototyping? Which method do you prefer?
  • Do you use different types of storyboards? When do you use each?
  • How do you storyboard interactivity?
  • What are your top three storyboard tips for new course creators?

Last Week’s Challenge:

Before you storyboard your challenge demo, check out the creative ways course designers are combining text and images in e-learning courses:

Combining Text and Images in E-Learning Design #250: Challenge | Recap

Wishing you a great week, E-Learning Heroes!

New to the E-Learning Challenges?

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.

Published 6 years ago
Version 1.0
E-Learning Challenge
Storyboarding
  • JoeWaddington1's avatar
    JoeWaddington1
    Community Member
    6 years ago
    We have a two person team here. My co-worker works with the SME's and writes the curriculum for the course, and I create it in Storyline, create graphics and record audio or video as needed. Using a storyboard is how we share the information. I will work with them to help come up with ways to make the content interactive, and let them know what I can and can't do with storyline. I also help "plain talk" the narration so that it doesn't sound like we are reading out of a textbook.

    We've also found that using the storyboard helps keep the SME's focused on the content, rather than the pictures or graphics. If we want to bounce a presentation idea off the SME's, then I will create a quick prototype, and share it with them. If the SME's like it, then my parter will put a screen cap of it into the storyboard for me.

    Link to Template: http://bit.ly/2mBJlYN
  • KarynJones-5c19's avatar
    KarynJones-5c19
    Community Member
    6 years ago
    Hi everyone!
    My contribution is a bit on the basic side but it has proven pretty useful with the people I work with.
    I have been creating quite a lot of videos lately and I also have to develop the scripts.

    I use a script template that shows the SMEs what will be said and the screen shots that I will be taking.
    It gives them a good understanding of what the finished product will be and an opportunity to review the content before we shoot.

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eoKdoqmtAO1Qh7bUlxO2EhtVSVPm5_pL/view?usp=sharing

    Have a happy Monday!
  • Jonathan_Hill's avatar
    Jonathan_Hill
    Super Hero
    6 years ago
    Hello! This is certainly a different challenge.

    I don't have a digital template to share, as I'm pretty 'old school' when it comes to storyboarding, favouring pen, paper and sticky notes. So here instead is a short module illustrating my go-to storyboarding technique...

    STIK-IT STORYBOARDING
    Demo: http://bit.ly/elhc251
    • AnoukVanDijk's avatar
      AnoukVanDijk
      Community Member
      6 years ago
      Nice! In addition to the Excel file I shared I must say I used sticky notes as well. But lately i just start building the prototype and move around the slides in Storyline. I always has a scene called "Parking lot" where I park my unused slides or the slides I haven't positioned yet.
    • KarynJones-5c19's avatar
      KarynJones-5c19
      Community Member
      6 years ago
      That is a really cool approach, Jonathan! Definitely something I will use for my next project. thanks for sharing!
  • JodiSansone's avatar
    JodiSansone
    Community Member
    6 years ago
    Jodi's Planning Template
    Download: https://bit.ly/2mqVzmJ

    If you're following the thread, you'll see that I really like Jackie's template and used it recently with a new client. So to add to the conversation, I created a template that demonstrates what I consider when I am thinking about an individual slide and how I will set it up.

    Before this stage I always develop a creative brief (objectives, audience essentials, tone, style requirements like fonts and colors, graphic libraries) and then I always have a high level outline or structure that looks like a story flow. But this template articulates what I would think about for individual slides and what choices or decisions I would be making.

    Hope it helps! My best advice would be to start with Jackie's template. :)
    • JackieVanNice's avatar
      JackieVanNice
      Super Hero
      6 years ago
      I like it, Jodi! I knew you'd come up with something; though I honestly didn't expect the inclusion of dogs and cats. (How does she do it??)

      I especially like columns 2 and 3 for the critical content and visuals. I can't imagine a more succinct summary of available options. It's a really useful cheat sheet!
      • JodiSansone's avatar
        JodiSansone
        Community Member
        6 years ago
        I wish I could share how I used your template this summer with my new client--regulatory compliance for a hedge fund. They were new to giving direction on e-learning. Your template was a good device to help them think about what they wanted. Before the storyboard I developed the project brief requirements and a "mood" board. I'm definitely more skilled at the upfront project briefing (from my brand management and advertising days). I kind of lost control of the development process on the individual slides as my clients started having more fun with the project. Once they saw all the cool things they could do with Storyline the process broke down a little. I have to get better at listening to them before I sit down to execute.
  • TracyCarroll's avatar
    TracyCarroll
    Community Member
    6 years ago
    Ah, no example or download from me this week! I don't use storyboards--I've never figured out how to use them in a way that is helpful for me. Describing interactions and/or animations I want to take place takes longer than just doing them. Copying and pasting from a Word doc into Storyline drives me nuts. Even importing a PowerPoint into Storyline can turn out to be problematic.

    I start with a blank Storyline template, and go on developing my prototype (or first draft ) from there. Unless a client requires me to use a specific storyboard document. In that case, I generally end up reverse-engineering the project in order to comply. :)
    • RebeccaPatte460's avatar
      RebeccaPatte460
      Community Member
      6 years ago
      Being a newbie, this makes me feel better! I tend to just take what my project owner has and start designing. I send Review 360 links along the way so things can be seen and changed if needed, but I'm like you. I have seen the benefits of following a storyboard from a project owner, but designing one on my way seems to be more time consuming than just jumping in and getting to work.
      • SteveMorey-1c99's avatar
        SteveMorey-1c99
        Community Member
        6 years ago
        So pleased to see people saying this. I've always struggled to sit and describe the interactions when I could just build them.
        Unless I'm making video/amiation then I have a storyboard. But even then I'm happier with pen and the paper stolen out of the photocopier.
    • TraceSymonds's avatar
      TraceSymonds
      Community Member
      6 years ago
      I am right here with you. I get frustrated when people ask me for storyboards in Word, PPT, etc., because like you, I can build the slides faster in Storyline and then just use a review tool to show it to them. I'm only making changes in one system.

      I use outlines more than storyboards and that works best for me. I'm so happy to read your post - I really thought I was the only one!
    • JackieVanNice's avatar
      JackieVanNice
      Super Hero
      6 years ago
      Me too, Tracy! I do have a downloadable storyboard template on my site, but have only used it on the rarest of occasions.

      I use prototypes to do the heavy lifting.
      • JodiSansone's avatar
        JodiSansone
        Community Member
        6 years ago
        Jackie, I found a template you shared somewhere in the community and it was very helpful. I used it with a client and it helped me get my head together before I started cranking on their project. You never know who will find your posts helpful!