I am looking for a way to include an audio comment on a slide which starts by user request (maybe by clicking a button), which can be stopped and resumed and where a progress bar shows the proceeding. I have found an external solution - a software that converts audio files into a flash file with the outlook of a MP3 player that I can then insert to a slide.
However, I wonder if there is an internal solution provided by Storyline?
Yes, Storyline can do that. It looks like maybe you're still toying with how the particulars should work, so I'll list multiple options:
Markers
Check out Markers (Insert -> Marker). They don't meet the letter of what you're asking for (no progress bar). They're easy to see without being obtrusive, and this makes them good for presenting supplemental content (audio or text) about another object on the screen. The audio can be paused/resumed by reclicking the marker or reset by clicking away from the marker.
Layers
What you describe sounds a lot like a layer. For example, you'd have a button with a trigger:
Show Layer [layername]
When User Clicks [yourbutton]
Create the layer on the bottom right of the screen. Click the gear beside it to bring up its properties and make sure its timeline is enabled. With the layer selected, insert your audio like you would if it were "normal" narration. The audio will then be attached to that layer and will play when that layer comes up.
You have a lot of flexibility in what the layer shows and what makes the layer appear/disappear. Play around with it, and don't hesitate to ask more questions if you're getting stuck.
Lightbox Slides
Instead of bringing up just a layer, you can bring up an entire slide (which you can hide in your presentation by removing it from the menu and making sure no slides link to it). The learner can interact with it just like any other slide*, and they can close it any time by clicking the X at the top right.
*EDIT: To be clear, lightboxes do NOT at present allow a seekbar.
One big advantage of a lightbox is that you're actually pulling up content from elsewhere in the presentation. So, for example, if you have three slides that bring up the same lightbox, and you have to edit the contents of the lightbox, you only have to edit it once.
thank you for telling me and explaining to me all these fine options. In fact, I am still exploring Storyline now after I have had very good experiences with Studio 9 and 13. Since Studio is a really fine tool for what we in Educational Psychology name "direct instruction", I am exploring the suitability of Storyline for more "self-regulated" learning experiences where learners can choose what they want to learn at what point of time with what tools. Starting, pausing, and resuming audio presentations when they need it could be a good tool for that self-regulated learning experience.
I am beginning to get a good impression of Storyline and have already got some fine ideas how to proceed. Thanks again!
2 Replies
Yes, Storyline can do that. It looks like maybe you're still toying with how the particulars should work, so I'll list multiple options:
Markers
Check out Markers (Insert -> Marker). They don't meet the letter of what you're asking for (no progress bar). They're easy to see without being obtrusive, and this makes them good for presenting supplemental content (audio or text) about another object on the screen. The audio can be paused/resumed by reclicking the marker or reset by clicking away from the marker.
Layers
What you describe sounds a lot like a layer. For example, you'd have a button with a trigger:
Show Layer [layername]
When User Clicks [yourbutton]
Create the layer on the bottom right of the screen. Click the gear beside it to bring up its properties and make sure its timeline is enabled. With the layer selected, insert your audio like you would if it were "normal" narration. The audio will then be attached to that layer and will play when that layer comes up.
You have a lot of flexibility in what the layer shows and what makes the layer appear/disappear. Play around with it, and don't hesitate to ask more questions if you're getting stuck.
Lightbox Slides
Instead of bringing up just a layer, you can bring up an entire slide (which you can hide in your presentation by removing it from the menu and making sure no slides link to it). The learner can interact with it just like any other slide*, and they can close it any time by clicking the X at the top right.
*EDIT: To be clear, lightboxes do NOT at present allow a seekbar.
One big advantage of a lightbox is that you're actually pulling up content from elsewhere in the presentation. So, for example, if you have three slides that bring up the same lightbox, and you have to edit the contents of the lightbox, you only have to edit it once.
Hello Greg,
thank you for telling me and explaining to me all these fine options. In fact, I am still exploring Storyline now after I have had very good experiences with Studio 9 and 13. Since Studio is a really fine tool for what we in Educational Psychology name "direct instruction", I am exploring the suitability of Storyline for more "self-regulated" learning experiences where learners can choose what they want to learn at what point of time with what tools. Starting, pausing, and resuming audio presentations when they need it could be a good tool for that self-regulated learning experience.
I am beginning to get a good impression of Storyline and have already got some fine ideas how to proceed. Thanks again!
Best regards,
Ernst
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