Treasure Hunt game in Storyline
Although assessments can become monotonous at times, integrating a Treasure Hunt game into the learning process can provide a new and engaging experience. This gamification approach not only adds an element of fun and excitement to the learning environment but also encourages active participation and enhances the overall learning outcomes. Hope you enjoy!Voice Interactivity Demo With Realtime AI Agent And Navigation Controls! 💬🌟🦅
Hi Heroes, I'd like to share my latest Storyline demo, which showcases the level of interactivity made possible by integrating Storyline with the new OpenAI Realtime API. 🚀 These are some of the features I have been able to achieve through my work on this: Voice-Activated AI Navigation: You'll see how users can engage with an intelligent AI agent that understands the context of your learning journey within an eLearning module in real time. This allows the AI seamlessly assist at any point it is called upon, even activating navigation triggers to guide the experience. Real-Time Function Calls: The AI not only recognises the eLearning module’s structure but also responds in real time, adapting to user inputs, including the ability to generate follow-up questions, voice-based quizzes, and role-play interactions. Session-Based Conversation Memory: Conversation history is saved throughout the session, providing continuity and an agent that can “remember” your prior questions or responses for more engaging learning. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqdxvIoiJxU&list=PLgWxRODbk1M0En-4t0cjfmYTax_RzF-QL&index=4&ab_channel=DiscovereLearning) --- My name's Chris Hodgson, an eLearning developer and software trainer based in the UK. I enjoy creating fun, unique, and engaging online experiences using Articulate software! Connect with me on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishodgson44/
Using ChatGPT and Storyline: Example and Guide
I'd like to hear how AI is shaping your work in e-learning design! For me, integrating OpenAI with Storyline has added a new layer of creativity and functionality to my projects. In this post, I’m sharing an example and a step-by-step guide on how I combined Articulate Storyline, JavaScript, the OpenAI API, and Power Automate to create customer service training focused on improving written responses to customer complaints. Read full guide here.Create an AI Podcast in 5 Easy Steps
For eLearning Challenge #479, I created a step-by-step tutorial about creating an AI podcast and delivered this tutorial as a video podcast, Here’s the quick take, but first take a look at thefinal result. Step 1: Creating Podcast Audio I used Notebook LM, a free tool from Google, to create an audio podcast. After uploading the materials that outlined the exact steps needed to create an AI podcast with talking avatars, I clicked the Audio Overview button, and *poof*, the podcast was created. You can feed Notebook LM many types of content on literally any subject and it will flawlessly generate a conversation about it. You can also instruct it to use a specific tone and approach. Within a minute, it created the audio along with FAQs, briefing notes, table of contents, timeline, and study notes for my topic. Step 2: Editing the Audio Once I created the audio, I uploaded it into Adobe Audition to separate tracks for our two podcast hosts, as this is important for the next step. Step 3: Creating Talking Avatars I headed over to HeyGen to bring our hosts to life as talking avatars. This was easy to do and added a fun, visual element to the podcast. You'll notice it's not perfect...yet. It's getting really close with some characters more fluent and natural than others. Step 4: Editing the Video I recorded my steps using Camtasia Rev, capturing every detail of the process. Then, I brought these recordings and the avatars into Camtasia to add visual effects, sounds, titling, and more. This transformed raw footage into a polished video. Step 5: Hosting and Repurposing as Microlearning in Rise After editing, I showed how to share the video by uploading it to Articulate Review. Alternatively, you could also upload it to YouTube. But why stop there? I took it a step further by creating a microlearning module in Articulate Rise. This repurposing transforms the podcast into a learning event, incorporating intro and outro content we can easily expand with tips, links, and more. Check out the video on Review and the microlearning module on Rise. Happy podcasting! StephanieInteractive Audio Story (Rise)
Pixel Perfect is an interactive audio story about creatives juggling high standards with real-world demands. It explores the balance we all try to strike between creative vision and practical realities. While you follow the story, you uncover practical insights every designer can relate to. Experience Pixel Perfect.Free slider example in Storyline - Cocktail Recipes
Hey, some Mondays can be tough. To make it easier we thought it would be cool to share some cocktail recipe example built in Storyline some time ago. It is a free download. Use at your own risk :) Download here: https://fastercourse.com/download/free-storyline-360-template-sliders/AI & Me: Creating a Family Feud/Wordle Style Game in Storyline
In the world of e-learning, engagement is key. That's why I created “Focus Feud”, an interactive game supported by a Rise companion guide that features an interactive coach. This project transforms a static article about maintaining focus at work into a fun, memorable learning experience, built with AI assistance. In this post, I'll walk you through how AI simplified complex tasks, elevated creativity, and streamlined the development process - all without extensive coding or a team of developers. Motivation & Concept Inspired by Articulate's new AI features, I set out to showcase how AI can be integrated into content development. My goal was to: Gamify an article on maintaining focus at work Use Storyline for interactive game slides Create a Rise companion guide featuring a digital twin as an interactive coach Tools of the Trade Here's a quick look at the AI-powered toolkit that made Focus Feud possible: Articulate Storyline and Rise:Game development and companion guide creation. ChatGPT:Content summarization, game ideation, JavaScript co-creation. HeyGen:Digital host avatar with a custom voice. Camtasia:Video editing of avatar. Canva/Photoshop:Graphic tweaks. Word/PowerPoint: Storyboarding and scriptwriting. Game Planning & Storyboarding I kicked off the process by feeding the original article into ChatGPT. It helped me extract key points from the article, convert these points into game objectives and elements, and brainstorm game show formats that would work well with the content. After settling on a Wordle/Family Feud hybrid, I created a PowerPoint storyboard to visualize the game flow and mechanics. Graphics and Narration Storyline's AI generated most of the images, requiring only minor tweaks in Canva and Photoshop. While Storyline’s neural voices worked well, for the game show host, I used HeyGen to create a video-style avatar with a custom voice, which I then refined in Camtasia. Coding and Development This was a balancing act between AI assistance and traditional development: JavaScript and AI:Initially, I used ChatGPT to co-create JavaScript for input validation, scoring, and timers. While this was incredibly helpful for complex functionalities, it sometimes led to troubleshooting challenges. Storyline Triggers:As the project progressed, I found that leveraging Storyline's built-in triggers and variables was more effective for many game mechanisms. This brought me back to familiar territory and improved overall stability. Variables:I set up numerous variables for each mini-game in Storyline, testing incrementally to isolate and fix issues as they arose. Content Creation and Editing AI tools proved invaluable for content creation. ChatGPT helped generate and edit content. This was useful as Storyline's current AI features cannot evaluate external links/content (and the game was based on a web-based source). Storyline's AI features significantly reduced the time needed to generate images, sounds, and edit text. Overcoming Challenges with AI Throughout the development process, AI helped me overcome several hurdles: Complex Functionality:AI-assisted JavaScript allowed me to implement features I couldn't have coded on my own, and in a matter of minutes. Time Constraints:Storyline's AI features dramatically sped up image generation, sound creation, text editing, and overall development. Consistency Issues:When AI-generated graphics needed adjustments, non-AI tools like Photoshop helped maintain visual consistency. The Rise Companion Guide To complement the game, I created acompanion guide in Rise that features my digital twin. This guide explains the game’s content and includes an interactive digital avatar trained on the article’s material that acts as a live coach. While an API allows direct integration, for this example, it launches into a new window. Conclusion: AI - A Solo Developer's Powerful Equalizer Combining Storyline's AI features with tools like ChatGPT has revolutionized content creation for solo developers. Limited knowledge of JavaScript or advanced Storyline triggers and variables is no longer a barrier. AI acts as both tool and tutor, enabling the creation of complex learning experiences beyond one's coding abilities while consistently suggesting efficient solutions. These new AI tools are leveling the playing field, allowing solo developers to create sophisticated e-learning rivaling team-produced content. By accelerating ideation, prototyping, and media generation, AI dramatically reduces development time. We're just at the beginning of this transformation, with even more accessible and innovative opportunities on the horizon as AI continues to evolve.Using Javascript to run complex mathematical simulations in a 'space survival' game
As a learning designer, I'm always looking for new ways to engage learners and create immersive experiences. I'm a big fan of board games like Catan and 7 Wonders, where you have to manage resources and make strategic decisions. It struck me that similar game mechanics could make corporate e-learning more compelling and realistic and help people refine their decision-making skills. I started experimenting with this waaaay back inE-Learning Heroes Challenge #314, with my Usable Suspects game: In that game, the player has to pick the best gang member to crack a safe within 20 seconds. Fast forward to E-Learning Heroes Challenge #430, and I took this 'resource management' concept much further in No Sushi!: This game involved a lot of complex math that nearly broke Storyline and me. (Yes, I did it all with triggers and, no, I wouldn't do that again!) Recently, I've discovered that large language models are great at writing code - it's just another language after all - which makes it astonishingly easy to write custom Javascript for use in Storyline. No more triggers! No more headaches! With the help of Claude.ai, I built this 'space survival' game: PLAYSURVIVAL HERE! The Concept The game is a first-person survival scenario set on a remote planet. Players must choose two out of three specialists, each with unique skills, to awaken from cryosleep and keep everyone alive for 90 days until rescue arrives. The challenge? Managing four critical resources: Food, Shelter, Security, and Communications. Collaborating with Claude To create the game's underlying simulation, I explained my idea to Claude, outlined what I wanted the code to do, and then defined the specific outcomes I was seeking in Storyline. The Development Process Establishing the Basics: We started by defining the core mechanics – how resources would deplete over time and how each specialist would influence these rates. Creating the Simulation: Claude generated JavaScript code that would run within Storyline, simulating the daily resource changes and determining the mission's outcome. Balancing Act: One of our biggest challenges was fine-tuning the resource depletion rates to ensure each team combination (A+B, A+C, B+C) presented unique challenges and outcomes. This required multiple iterations and careful adjustments. Implementing Cascading Effects: We introduced more complex mechanics, such as security breaches leading to rapid resource loss, and the effects of malnutrition on the crew's ability to maintain systems. Crafting Narratives: For each possible outcome, we developed detailed feedback messages to provide players with a clear understanding of their mission's fate. Debugging and Refinement: Throughout the process, we encountered and solved various issues, from unexpected behaviour in certain scenarios to ensuring the correct triggers for different endings. Lessons Learned Iterative Development is Key: Our back-and-forth process, constantly testing and refining the simulation, was crucial to creating a balanced and engaging game. Claude as a Collaborative Tool: Claude proved helpful in rapidly prototyping ideas, generating code, and problem-solving. However, human oversight and creative direction were essential in shaping the final product. Balancing Realism and Gameplay: We often had to strike a balance between realistic outcomes and maintaining engaging gameplay. For instance, we adjusted how quickly resources depleted to create tension without making the game overly difficult. The Importance of Narrative: While the underlying mechanics were crucial, we found that crafting compelling narratives for each outcome enhanced the player experience. The characters define the mechanic and vice versa. Flexibility in Design: Being open to unexpected outcomes led to more interesting gameplay. For example, we implemented a system where the communication beacon could continue functioning even after the crew had perished, adding a thoughtful touch to certain failure scenarios. Technical Challenges and Solutions One particular challenge we faced was ensuring that for certain team combinations (like A+B), security would fail before other resources reached critical levels. This required careful adjustment of depletion rates and the implementation of conditional penalties. We also had to be mindful of some limitations, particularly how Storyline displays text generated by variables. This led to problem-solving sessions, where Claude and I used the console log to dig into what was happening. Conclusion While collaborating with Claude felt very natural, we did at times have to go back a few steps to debug the code. I am not a coder, so I don't know whether 12 iterations to get this to work as I liked is unreasonable by human standards. But I'm really pleased with the results. SURVIVAL teaches resource management and strategic thinking while also telling a story of survival against the odds. And it conveys this lesson in just two slides and a few minutes of your time. I haven't shared my master file as I'm still tinkering with the visual design and this will likely become a portfolio piece, but I'm happy to share what I've learned and answer any questions you may have. For anyone interested, here's the latest version of the code that powers the simulation. If you want to know more about any part of this demo, please ask. (A copy of this article also appears here, in the 'Javascript' group.)
