Forum Discussion
A straightforward (no JavaScript) approach for adding AI to E-Learning.
Here’s one of the simplest ways I’ve tried for bringing AI into e-learning: a Microsoft Form embedded in Articulate Storyline, connected to the OpenAI API via Power Automate, no JavaScript, and your API key stays secure.
This setup works well for basic Q&A or providing custom feedback on assignments. I’ve put together a short guide covering how it works, along with the pros and cons of this approach
I’ve put together a short guide here:
This is such a creative way to incorporate AI into a course, DanielBenton ! I’m curious—how did you discover or research this approach? Have you had the chance to roll it out to learners yet? If so, I’d love to hear about their experience, especially since the interaction requires collecting information outside of the course. Do you have any recommendations for the types of information or activities that work best with this AI integration?
KellOrding Thanks for the kind words and thoughtful questions.
I started researching fully integrated approaches that directly impact Storyline variables through a course from Discover E-learning with Chris Hodgson. That’s where I learned about the importance of using a midserver.
Through further online research (with some help from ChatGPT), I discovered that Power Automate can act as the midserver, securely connecting Storyline to OpenAI, provided you have premium HTTP connectors enabled.
The key motivator behind researching this approach was simplicity and security. While JavaScript isn‘t inherently risky if implemented correctly, there are potential vulnerabilities depending on how it’s used, especially when it comes to exposing API keys or endpoints on the client side. I was curious to see if I could design an approach that completely sidestepped the need for JavaScript, along with the added complexity of authenticating users via a dedicated midserver.
In essence, I was trying to find the laziest possible setup with the tools I already had. Power Automate, Microsoft Forms & Storyline without compromising security. This approach keeps the API key secure, with all data flowing through Power Automate. Plus, Microsoft Forms handles user authentication and restricts access to people within my organisation, which neatly ticks the security box without any extra effort.
The approach I shared is currently in use for a project where learners respond to a fictional customer complaint. Storyline plays an important role here as it guides the learner through the grading criteria, walks them through the complaint scenario, and collects their response via an embedded Microsoft Form. From there, Power Automate connects the form data to OpenAI, where GPT plays the role of the customer, providing dynamic follow-up feedback in the form of an online review (ranging from 1 to 5 stars).
This setup works well because it taps into learner’s curiosity as they can tweak their responses and see how it impacts their review.
However, there are limitations. Since Microsoft Forms submissions can’t be tracked within Storyline, we manage completions externally through Power Automate, which securely routes the data to an internal sheet.
This process works for this project because it’s small-scale, we want to monitor the quality of AI’s assessments, and the feedback feels authentic, delivered via email, keeping learners engaged in the flow of the scenario.
Power Automate also adds the benefit of easy integration with Microsoft Forms and email, and we have built in human authentication of AI-generated feedback during the initial rollout to ensure quality.
For more complex projects where variable manipulation is key, I am using JavaScript for deeper integration, similar to the fantastic examples shared in the Articulate Heroes community.
Thanks again for your interest.
WOW, DanielBenton! Thanks so much for the detailed explanation and all this great information! Having worked in L&D and instructional design for the last decade, I've always considered myself fairly creative—but this takes it to another level in such an engaging and impactful way!
The example you shared really highlights how different approaches work best depending on the size of the learner group, and I can see how each method fits different needs and settings.
I love seeing how our community members push the boundaries of our products to tailor them to their unique needs. I definitely know who to reach out to if I have any questions or need more insights on these use cases!
