Limitations of LearnDash for Storyline

Aug 01, 2013

I purchased LearnDash with hopeful expectation that it would be an improvement over Moodle. But, after way too many hours working with WordPress I do not yet have even one storyline course online in a functional LearnDash lesson. And I am not even sure that it is possible to integrate the two.

The way LearnDash works with Storyline courses seems to be the same way it would work with a YouTube video. Upload it into a lesson page. The user clicks to open the page, sees the video and clicks on it. It plays. Then when finished, the user goes to a link at the bottom of the page, a link that is separate from the video/story and marks their work complete.

LearnDash is highlighting their badges and leaderboards which are promising and look awfully cool. But completion of a Storyline course will be entirely user-determined with no authentication. If the user says the lesson is done (just click the handy link), then up goes the badge and points. Any points or lack thereof in Storyline quizzes are entirely irrelevant to LearnDash. LearnDash doesn't care if the various slides and scenes in your story were visited or completed. There might be a time in the future when TinCan of Storyline can talk to the TinCan of LearnDash, but that hasn't happened yet, and there is no estimated time when it will.

I could abandon my quizzes in Storyline and instead use the quizzing utility in LearnDash. At this point that option makes me want to cry. My quizzes are integrated into the fabric of my story so that they don't feel like quizzes to the learner. They are beautiful, interactive and with branching feedback. But to get any kind accountability that the learner has learned what is in my storyline course, I am forced to use a LearnDash quiz to get that data. Ugh.

A second issue with LearnDash is the format of the Lesson Page. The story uploads into the default-width column of your themes default blog page. So... unless you want to break up the work-flow and have it open in a new window, the slides are resized to much smaller than the standard SL story-size. There are instructions in the LearnDash support forum (not available until after you purchase the plug-in) that give hairy instructions for programmers to break into their themes .php pages and rewrite code, with warnings that this has to be redone each time LearnDash is updated. So for a non-programmer this is not a realistic option.

My conclusion: LearnDash and Storyline do not integrate well at all.

43 Replies

Justin Ferriman

over 10 years ago08/01/13 at 4:13 pm (UTC)

Hello Meryem-

Thank you for the post and for your review. We can certainly assist you with getting LearnDash and Articulate to function together. We have assisted others in doing the same and getting a solution that works for them. Regarding Articulate, there are some hurdles to overcome, especially given that Articulate is still running version .90 of TinCan (Experience) API.

You mention reporting, and I'm glad you did. There is a reporting issue when storing results from Articulate Storyline to an LRS. Activity names, descriptions and URIs are not included in the Tin Can Statement so most LRSs need to assign a "dummy" URI. The reason for this issue is due to Storyline adopting version 0.9 of the Tin Can API where a URI was not required. As soon as Articulate upgrades Storyline with v1.0 this issue will be resolved. From my understanding, Articulate is aware of the issue and has not announced a solution or an estimated time frame for completion/upgrade of Storyline to v1.0 of the Tin Can API.

Regarding the badges and Storyline - it is correct that the two do not interface, nor were they intended to. The badges functionality is driven by WordPress while Articulate operating as a third party platform. My sincere hope is that in time we can connect the two, but at present it isn't feasible. Perhaps an integration from an OpenBadges approach will make it a viable solution one-day. That said, we are pretty hesitant to do anything regarding integration while Storyline is still at v.90 of TinCan.

For the lesson page, I'd be happy to help you format it for your needs. We have an FAQ detailing how to change the layout, but if you are stuck or would like some extra assistance, we are available in the forum or on our help desk - or give us a call and we will gladly help out. I promise that changing the layout of the lesson page won't break anything with your current theme, it will leverage your current theme's full-page format.

Thank you again for sharing your experience. It will certainly make us better as we continue to evolve our offering based on customer feedback.

Kindly,

Justin Ferriman

Founder, LearnDash

734-707-1703

Vasily Ingogly

over 10 years ago08/02/13 at 7:20 am (UTC)

Bear in mind LearnDash and Sensei were first released (as I recall) early this year. Also, there's obviously work Articulate needs to do on their end to make this work.

I've seen Justin commenting and offering help in every thread I've seen here that mentions LearnDash and Sensei ... That says positive things about the company. But when you use a new product as an "early adopter", it's important to remember that you're not working with a fully mature product. That's part of the price of being an early adopter.

I'll also not that I haven't seen the WooThemes guys here offering input on Sensei, but I might have missed it. Just sayin'.

(I have zero connection with LearnDash or Sensei, but I'm considering them for training for my web design and coach support websites)

Dave Newgass

10 years ago01/25/14 at 12:59 pm (UTC)

Justin Ferriman said:

Hello Meryem-

given that Articulate is still running version .90 of TinCan (Experience) API.

Do we know if this issue has been resolved with Articulate Storyline (and perhaps even Studio 13)?

Cheers,

Dave

Nancy Woinoski
Hero

10 years ago01/25/14 at 1:16 pm (UTC)

I know Studio'13 uses Tin Can API 1.0 but I believe Storyline is still on .90.

Phil Mayor
Hero

10 years ago01/26/14 at 12:34 pm (UTC)

You can upgrade Storyline packages here to 1.0 http://converter.saltbox.com

Raphy Abano

over 9 years ago11/26/14 at 7:01 pm (UTC)

Storyline 2 now publishes to 1.0. http://www.articulate.com/support/storyline-2/publishing-articulate-storyline-2-content-for-tin-can-api

Pankaj Agrawal

over 8 years ago10/24/15 at 7:27 pm (UTC)

This is an odd post, but I am replying because the issue is resolved and the post is being referenced in other places. The issue is not actually related to Articulate version or Tin Can API version.

If you use GrassBlade xAPI Companion and GrassBlade LRS it will send back scores to LearnDash from Articulate Content.

If Completion Tracking feature in GrassBlade is enabled, the lesson/quiz is marked complete as soon as the Articulate content is completed, and the users cannot progress to next lesson unless they actually complete the content.

You can even award certificates based on scores in Articulate quiz.

Pankaj

Chris Hodgson

almost 8 years ago04/29/16 at 10:21 am (UTC)

Hi Meryem,

I realise this is an old topic, but I wanted to make you aware of our brand new FREE integration plugin for LearnDash and Articulate Storyline. Just in case you are still using LearnDash now, I hope that you may find it useful.

http://www.discoverelearninguk.com/products/learndash-topic-progression-using-storyline-captivate-plugin/

If you need any help at all just give me a shout.

Chris

Patrick Ryan

almost 8 years ago05/16/16 at 10:44 pm (UTC)

Meryem M (or anyone else),

Let us know your experience with Storyline (v2) and LearnDash now that some time as passed. We are also interested in using LearnDash with Storyline so any comments are welcome.

Patrick

Pankaj Agrawal

almost 8 years ago05/17/16 at 8:41 am (UTC)

Hi Patrick,

A long time (almost 3 years) has passed since the original post by Meryem. Things have improved continuously since then and the integration is comparatively very stable. You will need GrassBlade xAPI Companion and GrassBlade LRS.

Pankaj

Tim Juby

almost 8 years ago06/13/16 at 10:55 am (UTC)

We're still experiencing similar issues with integrating LearnDash and Articulate Storyline, so I wondered if anyone has any up-to-date insight or workarounds they could share?

In our Lesson, learners are only able to ‘Mark Complete’ after they have finished all of the full Storyline content (inc. any questions) – with a little javascript modification, the 'Mark Complete' button executes when the last slide opens, and it won’t allow you to just jump to the end and click on Mark Complete without viewing all of the content first.

However, if you go through all of the content properly (inc. answering the questions) and then click on Mark Complete it just restarts the module from the beginning (as if it hadn't been started).

Any help gratefully received.

Kindly,
Tim

Pankaj Agrawal

almost 8 years ago06/13/16 at 2:22 pm (UTC)

Hi Tim,

If you are using GrassBlade xAPI Companion and GrassBlade LRS, it will hide the Mark Complete button, and automatically mark the Lesson as complete.

If you are not using GrassBlade LRS, make sure you disable Completion Tracking. That will make the Mark Complete button visible and allow users to click it.

If you want you can do tricks like, hiding the Mark Complete button using css, and then clicking it using javascript when the user reaches completion side. Though these tricks are limited to the abilities of the browser and javascript.

Pankaj

Lisa Smyser

almost 8 years ago06/13/16 at 4:26 pm (UTC)

Hi @Tim Juby, if you're using xAPI it should mark them complete automatically based on your criteria (and how you set your xAPI triggers) and the learner doesn't even see the mark complete buttons.

Chris Hodgson

almost 8 years ago06/15/16 at 8:35 am (UTC)

HI once again,

Just a quick follow up to a previous comment I left on this thread. My add on for LearnDash which allows course designers to set 'Mark Complete' actions within Storyline / Captivate content is now available to download from the WP Global Repository:

https://wordpress.org/plugins/learndash-topic-progression-using-storyline-or-captivate/

I have also produced a video, which you can find on this page, which shows off what the add on can do and provides some simple instructions.

I hope this continues to be of value to all course designers out there using LearnDash LMS.

Many Thanks,
Chris

almost 8 years ago06/15/16 at 2:15 pm (UTC)

Thanks @Lisa Smyser, we are using xAPI but it doesn't seem to want to work in the way that you've described – at least not within the LearnDash/GrassBlade/xAPI/Storyline combination that we're using. We think we've found a workaround though.

almost 8 years ago06/15/16 at 2:20 pm (UTC)

Hi @Chris Hodgson – we did look into your plugin, but it's limited to Topics and our client has structured their content around Courses/Lessons progression. We've implemented a javascript trigger for the Mark Complete process which looks like it will provide us with a useful workaround.

Lisa Smyser

almost 8 years ago06/15/16 at 2:47 pm (UTC)

Ok @Tim Juby. Just FYI, I'm using that very configuration and my courses are automatically marked complete. It took a lot of testing and configuration between all the components to get it all to work correctly but it does work. If your situation changes and you want to use the built-in features, let me know and we can walk through the settings.

almost 8 years ago06/15/16 at 2:54 pm (UTC)

Thanks @Lisa Smyser – that’s really good to know. I’m a little divorced from the technical side of this project, with the Storyline content coming from an external developer and the LMS from another, so it’s been a steep learning curve. I’d prefer to use the built-in features, but let me see how this fix work out first. Really appreciate your quick response, so thanks again for that.

almost 8 years ago06/16/16 at 4:15 pm (UTC)

Hi @Lisa Smyser. OK, our fix almost works but it's not as elegant as we'd hoped! I'd love to take up your kind offer to walk us through the settings. My Skype is: timjuby01
Mny thanks,

Tim

almost 8 years ago06/16/16 at 10:05 pm (UTC)

I'd like to sit on that too if possible! Let me know.
Skype: tamaraRaeCameron

Aaron Leary

almost 8 years ago06/29/16 at 8:07 am (UTC)

@Lisa Do you use GrassBlade LRS in your solution too or are you only using Articulate Storyline/LearnDash/xAPI Companion?

Chris Hodgson

almost 8 years ago06/29/16 at 8:30 am (UTC)

Hi again to all subscribers of this thread,

In the near future I am looking to set up a series of online interviews with individuals/companies that are using LearnDash LMS as their online learning platform, in order to promote the idea of using Wordpress as an affordable and manageable solution to those who may never have considered it as an option before.

Basically if you would be willing to participate, I would ask you a few questions about your website, what you offer, your learner's experience and feedback, and discover other generally interesting things about what you do that people would like to know. In return your site/business will get some free exposure, as well as on my company website, I'd be looking to circulate these Q&As on other industry community sites like training-zone and eLearning Industry.

Please let me know if you would be interested and hopefully we can set up some dates on Skype!

Many Thanks
Chris

almost 8 years ago06/29/16 at 12:49 pm (UTC)

Yes, I use GrassBlade LRS.

joseph Richardson

over 7 years ago08/08/16 at 12:28 pm (UTC)

Any help i can get at the moment, or inputting into the above as we develop our current application. WordPress Extranet as asset store and learning delivery, hosted in mainland China, LearnDash + Articulate + GrassBlade .... not getting much support or info on it all as being in China is very different

Lisa Smyser

over 7 years ago08/08/16 at 12:46 pm (UTC)

Hi Joseph,

There are a few things you can check to be sure everything is talking together:

in Storyline, when you publish the first time, set the ID field (in tracking and reporting) to a short name that you will recognize in Grassblade as the Activity ID. Once set, you can't change that ID on subsequent uploads, it must always stay the same. It loads the first time you upload the xAPI file and then matches on that ID to track the course events.
check that you have the trigger set in grassblade LRS to trigger on completion or pass/fail (however you track). Make sure the triggers are turned on, and that the URL is set correctly in each trigger. Grassblade doesn't install in the WordPress area, so it's a bit different URL and you have to make sure the path is correct. There are a few articles on the Grassblade support site that are helpful.
when you load your xAPI file, make sure you check the box to enable completion tracking
I've had the most success when the LearnDash courses are set to OPEN, and I control access using a membership plugin
Use the test link to help troubleshoot if something isn't working. It's on the xAPI page (see screen shot). The link is difficult to find but it can really help. It will let you know what Activity ID the file is using, and if it can see statements for your course.