I am trying to create software simulations but also reproduce the visual cues that we can see in the live software. Is there any method or software to help me with this process?
The only way to reproduce the visual cues I want is creating hotspots to show what I need, but it will take a lot of time in simulations with Word, Excel, etc.
In response to a query raised on this site several weeks ago, I created a quick demo (link below), which might also serve to give you some ideas. In the demo I have used a Labelled Graphic block, an Accordion block and a Storyline block to teach a basic task in Microsoft Word. The Storyline block incorporates a "How To" video, which includes a video layer, notes layers and text-to-speech.
Although not a direct answer to your question above, hopefully it will at least provide some options and inspiration.
Thanks Trina. I know it's a case of personal preference, but I always like to use notes in addition to speech, particularly as we work more and more with international audiences these days. Giving someone the option to pause the video and read the note in their own time can make the course a lot more user friendly.
I am also a big fan of text-to-speech. It's cheaper than a professional voice-over (admittedly not yet as polished), it's easier to synch, it's easier to edit and you can also change languages by just adding the translated text. In addition, you can change from a male to a female voice with a simple click of a button.
Having had no previous experience developing e-learning courses, I started using the software last September and absolutely love it. In many ways I treat other people's issues as a challenge and if I don't know the answer straightaway, I spend time trying to find a solution. That is often one of the best ways to become more proficient with the software. I usually pick on two or three items every day and see what I can come up with and, on top of that, I also find I learn so much from reading other people's responses from within the Community.
I am always happy to contribute wherever I can and it's good to be able to help someone else out from time to time.
The only thing I would like, is to simulate a little bit better the software, because if the student clic in the hotspot areas then we show the layers we have foreseen, but if the student moves the cursor over other icons or areas, nothing is shown, when in reality the real live software would show some tips. That is what i would like to reproduce.
Although the screen recording functionality in Storyline is really good, it does lack a bit of flexibility to show the "unhappy path" a user may follow when doing a simulation (other software like Captivate is the same).
To get round this and to help future proof my simulations I never use screen recording, and haven't done for many years. What I do instead is build the whole simulation manually using screenshots. This then allows me to put my triggers and captions anywhere I like and also allows me to customise the path the user follows if they click in the wrong place.
For example in a course I have just completed which has multiple simulations in it I have a scene for each simulation. This is made up of multiple slides, with each slide containing a single screenshot (multiple in some cases where its needed for the interaction). I then use hotspots to move between the different slides. I also have a variable called WrongClicks which when the user clicks outside the hotspot (or in some cases outside of multiple hotspots), it increments the WrongClicks variable by 1. When it gets to 3 it triggers a hint caption to pop up which tells the user where to click. In essence you could use that WrongClicks trigger to take the user anywhere you like or show them anything you need to.
I also found this screenshot way is a good way to keep your modules up to date if your software ever changes. If your screens change then you have to re-record the entire process again when using the screen record function. If however you are using individual screenshots, you can just grab a new one, go into the relevant slide and then replace it. No messing about with getting your recording to look like it did before.
Hope this helps but happy to discuss in more detail if you want to message me direct.
7 Replies
Hi Allende,
In response to a query raised on this site several weeks ago, I created a quick demo (link below), which might also serve to give you some ideas. In the demo I have used a Labelled Graphic block, an Accordion block and a Storyline block to teach a basic task in Microsoft Word. The Storyline block incorporates a "How To" video, which includes a video layer, notes layers and text-to-speech.
Although not a direct answer to your question above, hopefully it will at least provide some options and inspiration.
https://rise.articulate.com/share/NsOqCXGQqxVkRdTjFDU1Ws-mUWapBW1t
Thanks for sharing your approach, Ned. I really like the how-to video you created in Storyline 360 turned out.
Thanks Trina. I know it's a case of personal preference, but I always like to use notes in addition to speech, particularly as we work more and more with international audiences these days. Giving someone the option to pause the video and read the note in their own time can make the course a lot more user friendly.
I am also a big fan of text-to-speech. It's cheaper than a professional voice-over (admittedly not yet as polished), it's easier to synch, it's easier to edit and you can also change languages by just adding the translated text. In addition, you can change from a male to a female voice with a simple click of a button.
Just love the software !
Those are great points, Ned. I have to admit that I've usually shied away from the TTS voices, but you make a very good case for using them more.
Thanks again for your community contributions of late! It's so nice to have you here, lending a hand to so many.
Hi Trina,
Thanks for your kind remarks, much appreciated.
Having had no previous experience developing e-learning courses, I started using the software last September and absolutely love it. In many ways I treat other people's issues as a challenge and if I don't know the answer straightaway, I spend time trying to find a solution. That is often one of the best ways to become more proficient with the software. I usually pick on two or three items every day and see what I can come up with and, on top of that, I also find I learn so much from reading other people's responses from within the Community.
I am always happy to contribute wherever I can and it's good to be able to help someone else out from time to time.
Hi Ned, thank you very much for your help, but it is not exactly what I am looking for.
I am most looking for a way to simulate a live software in my elearning courses to check if the student follow the correct steps to do something.
It is described in the following videos from Articulate:
https://community.articulate.com/series/getting-started-with-storyline-360/articles/articulate-storyline-360-tutorial-how-to-record-screencast-videos
https://community.articulate.com/series/getting-started-with-storyline-360/articles/articulate-storyline-360-tutorial-how-to-create-interactive-simulations
The only thing I would like, is to simulate a little bit better the software, because if the student clic in the hotspot areas then we show the layers we have foreseen, but if the student moves the cursor over other icons or areas, nothing is shown, when in reality the real live software would show some tips. That is what i would like to reproduce.
Hi Allende
Although the screen recording functionality in Storyline is really good, it does lack a bit of flexibility to show the "unhappy path" a user may follow when doing a simulation (other software like Captivate is the same).
To get round this and to help future proof my simulations I never use screen recording, and haven't done for many years. What I do instead is build the whole simulation manually using screenshots. This then allows me to put my triggers and captions anywhere I like and also allows me to customise the path the user follows if they click in the wrong place.
For example in a course I have just completed which has multiple simulations in it I have a scene for each simulation. This is made up of multiple slides, with each slide containing a single screenshot (multiple in some cases where its needed for the interaction). I then use hotspots to move between the different slides. I also have a variable called WrongClicks which when the user clicks outside the hotspot (or in some cases outside of multiple hotspots), it increments the WrongClicks variable by 1. When it gets to 3 it triggers a hint caption to pop up which tells the user where to click. In essence you could use that WrongClicks trigger to take the user anywhere you like or show them anything you need to.
I also found this screenshot way is a good way to keep your modules up to date if your software ever changes. If your screens change then you have to re-record the entire process again when using the screen record function. If however you are using individual screenshots, you can just grab a new one, go into the relevant slide and then replace it. No messing about with getting your recording to look like it did before.
Hope this helps but happy to discuss in more detail if you want to message me direct.
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