Designing Immersive Phone Conversations in Storyline
Ever have two characters talk in a training module, but it still feels flat; even with speech bubbles, audio, and triggers? This (FREE) Storyline phone conversation template changes that. Whether you're designing for sales, compliance, healthcare, or support, it creates real, layered convos that feel like you're eavesdropping on a call. Animated phone effects Realistic voiceover dialogue Transparent APNG waveforms (way better than GIFs!) Custom triggers for pick-up/end call Clean, modern layout with animated text Watch how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMpUcYJRNnE Preview the demo: https://www.redesignedminds.com/Discuss/story.html Download it free: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19AvmE7q3PAUbXoNKIViQtPNqCwUoFDQW/view?usp=sharing If your training includes a conversation, this is how you bring it to life.❓What Is an LMS… Really? And How Do LRS and LCMS Fit In?
I’ve noticed a surprising lack of consensus around this in the industry so I thought it might be useful to do deep dive and ask: 🕵️What is a Learning Management System (LMS)? Is there an official checklist that a piece of software has to meet to earn that title? And what about a Learning Record Store (LRS)? Or a Learning Content Management System (LCMS)? The answer? There isn’t actually a universal, enforceable definition that says, “This is an LMS!” Instead, the industry’s largely settled into a “call it what we want” model, where marketing often defines classification more than behavior. 🤷 But from a practical engineering and standards-based perspective, I think we can be a little more precise—especially because specs like AICC, SCORM, xAPI, and cmi5 clearly define the roles and responsibilities of LMSs compared to other components. 💡Here’s how I define an LMS at the functional level If a piece of software does all three of the following, I consider it an LMS: Hosts eLearning content built to a standard (like AICC, SCORM, xAPI, or cmi5) and makes it accessible via a portal or interface Provides user/learner management (logins, assignments, access controls, etc.) Records user/learner data and makes that data available for analysis or reporting Why those three? Because every major eLearning specification includes a section titled “LMS Responsibilities”—and when you distill that down to a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), these are the pieces that remain consistent. All other features—dashboards, UX bells and whistles, analytics layers—are useful but not required for a system to be an LMS by role. Many elements of an LMS are actually outside the scope of eLearning specifications! 🔍What About an LRS? A Learning Record Store (LRS) is similar in some ways, but with a few key differences: It doesn’t need to host the content (though it can) It can treat events or content as "experiences" tracked through xAPI It identifies users, but doesn’t typically manage roles or course permissions It records structured learning data, but doesn’t always offer built-in analytics In essence, LRSs are structured databases designed for learning data. Because of their database-like nature, they’re often paired with LMSs in what I’d call "LMS/LRS hybrids"—systems that handle frontend access and user roles while leveraging xAPI data for deeper analysis. Fun fact: cmi5 itself is a kind of an LMS/LRS hybrid by design. It was created specifically to fill the gap left by xAPI’s lack of LMS-like mechanisms, such as content launching and attempt tracking. 📚And an LCMS? An LCMS (Learning Content Management System) is the fusion of two worlds: A content authoring tool An LMS While it’s not a spec-defined term, it’s useful for describing platforms that allow you to both create and deploy learning content in one place. These systems can really streamline workflows and help teams consolidate tools. There are a few LCMSs out there on the market—and depending on your use case, some may even straddle the LRS category too! 🤔Is that all there is to it? Maybe! But it's a huge world out there and the number of LMS and LRS platforms grows and shrinks almost daily. Each one brings its own nuances and minor differences, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's a type of system out there I haven't encountered yet! Your turn: Which platform(s) do you use and how would you classify them—LMS, LRS, LCMS, or a hybrid? Or, are there other criteria you’d add to the list when deciding what qualifies as an LMS? It's a big world out there, and I can't explore all of it alone, so I look forward to hearing others' thoughts and ideas!Expert Insight Needed!
Hi Everyone! I am a graduate student in an Instructional Design and Performance Technology program. In my Distance Learning Policy and Planning course, we are conducting an informal research investigation on current use of technology in our field. We are tasked with finding out what practitioners are using out in the real world, and how they feel about those technologies. Can you please share the platforms you use and your own personal feelings about these technologies (what works well, what is challenging, etc.) for purposes such as: Delivering instruction or training (such as an LMS) Communication and collaboration Assessments or testing Analytics Thank you so much for helping me learn from your experience!PowerPoint Meets AI: Testing 5 Motion Models
When it comes to adding AI motion, many designers bounce from one model to the next, often frustrated by strange results. Some eLearning apps don’t give the motion we want natively, and others take too long to configure, making it hard to know where to start. So, I tested 5 AI models on the same slide with the same prompt to see how each performed. The results were surprising: one nailed the physics, another went off into odd morphs, and a few missed the mark entirely. The lesson? Every model has strengths, but the right fit depends on your design goals and willingness to experiment. Watch the full tutorial: https://youtu.be/Udtg1X81mow Download the AI Models for Motion – Comparisons chart: [AI Models for Motion - Comparisons.pdf - Google Drive]Who here has an e-learning portfolio?
Hey all—as I've been chatting with community members lately, something that's coming up a lot is e-learning portfolios. I thought it might be interesting to start a thread and have folks share your portfolios in the comments. Bonus points if you add a couple of notes to your comment about what you see as best practices for portfolio creation—if I get a bunch of comments here I can create a summary of best practices for folks who don't have portfolios yet to read! Really looking forward to seeing some of these 🙌Organising project phases
Hi there! I'm curious to learn how others organise the workflow when creating E-Learning content. I personally find kind of challenging the final revision, in which I need to check that everything in the content is well and adjusted. I was thinking in creating a checklist that could be used as a support but I don't really know what kind of format could really be useful... any idea? How do you usually check that everything is perfect right before delivering?Large Sim Projects
A question came up on the community chat about large simulator projects. Just my way of doing this. In the past I was asked to create a course on a computer program that had 5 main functions with over 25 different sub-functions. I divided the 5 functions into separate projects. This made it easier to keep track of slides and information. The subfunctions were divided into scenes. This made it easier to review and send to stakeholders to review and approve. Once the scenes were done and approved, I made a scene to bring it all together with some intro information, objectives, and anything else that was needed to start that function section. This can be used as one course or imported into a master all-inclusive course. Just my thoughts.Animating Engaging Quiz Questions in Storyline
A cool way to turn your standard Storyline quizzes into interactive, engaging, and immersive learning experiences. Watch "how to" tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wB1_HWTZeU Preview slide here: https://www.redesignedminds.com/Submit/story.html Preview animations here: https://www.redesignedminds.com/Submit%20Previews/Submit%20APNGs%20Previews.gifBest Certification for Breaking into Instructional Design field
I am mentoring an Educator (with a Master's in Teaching) and 15 years of teaching fifth-grade science as well as pre-school. This educator wants to transfer her skills to break into the Instructional Design field. What are the best certifications programs for this type of professional?Gamify Slides in Storyline
This interactive slide is a quick and creative way to bring energy into your eLearning. It uses motion graphics, ambient music, a fun character named Mike, and a simple JavaScript typewriter effect to create an engaging scenario where learners track down a mischievous hacker. You can easily customize the visuals, sound, and script to fit any topic, cybersecurity, onboarding, decision-making, or soft skills. Use this as a plug-and-play scene or as a springboard for your own creative builds. Download this template for free. See how it was built step by step: Watch the YouTube tutorial
