instructional design
1106 TopicsTurn on/off (control) the checkmarks in the menu
Hi Everyone, This question comes up more and more often in our ID, company and learner community (many learner comments about the misleading checkmarks). And I know that it is a hot topic for all of us and for years now. Eg. Check / Tick marks in the menu | Articulate - Community Premise: So the premise is that we need to have control over the checkmarks in the menu. Now, the tick shows up immediately after a slide starts, which gives a false image of the slide completion for the learners. The checkmarks should appear only if the actual slide is completed by a condition - regardless of its type: timeline starts/ends, click on a button=states, anything else. (See this later.) In the LMS publishing options when you set up the course completion for xy% of slides viewed, to count the slides it uses the same idea as the checks have now: when the timeline starts it becomes immediately counted - probably connected. I think this is okay there, because you can play with it. But here we have other function for the slide ticks in the menu. UX/UI perspective: If you have a checkmark next to the slide title in the menu it means, from every perspective, that the slide is viewed and completed, you don't have to do nothing else. The same idea is used everywhere else: In any app or online platform a tick shows that a field is completed or not, a question is answered or not, or you need to scroll down the agreement or contract to change the tick to understand the terms etc. Tick means completed: you don't need to do anything else with the checked part. Our learners (and us too) are adapted to this meaning. If the actual intention with the checkmarks is to show that a slide is visited, I am afraid that it can lead astray. We see it as a completion. In Rise the lesson completion in the menu works perfectly fine: an icon shows that something is in progress in the a given part and when it is done it receives a tick. The desired functions: In case of the menu checkmarks we should be able to -turn it on and off, and -set up a condition when to activate the checkmark of the slide in the menu. Eg. I turn the automatic menu ticking off. > After I set up this option in the slide properties: when timeline starts, when timeline ends. > Or I could also initiate it with a custom trigger. Dear Articulate, do you have plans to change this automatic marking and give control to the designers? I know that it is really complicated and not easy at all from your developer side. And it also can causes problems if we users forgot to set it up, but I think it is a must have from ux/ui perspective. Alternatives: In the article discussion above (and on the web) we have few css and javascript option to turn it off completely in the menu. But in this cases I think we can fall to the other slide: the menu will not show slide completion at all. I seriously don't know which is the better option. Our users are already adapted to the checkmarks in the menu - elsewhere and in our learnings too. Just the timing is not perfect. Question: And here, after this wall of text I arrived to my personal silly question. :) I am not good in Javascript at all, and probably it is not even possible or you already came up with it. But this could be a good workaround. I played with javascript triggers: -I used the mentioned javascript trigger form the article above to remove the ticks (when timeline starts), it worked perfectly. -And after I used an other javascript trigger to turn it on when timeline ends. Also worked. -But of course when I go to the next slide, this pair of triggers will cause mess, the first will make the already ticked slide title in the menu disappear. Which is pretty obvious. But then a question came to my mind: Is there an option or possibility in javascript to make a trigger where we can turn off and on the checkmarks ONLY on the given line (slide) in the menu? --- I think we really need a solution or at least a specific and official workaround for this basic UX/UI feature. Thank you (Articulate and our great Heroes Community) in advance for your help! Wishing you all the best and great designs! Tibi158Views0likes2CommentsAudio-Button functions and states within selfbuild WBT menue and options
Hi everyone, currently I am working on a selfbuild WBT menue with own options on buttons (like refresh, fullscreen, turn on/off subtitles, etc.). This also includes a button for un/muting audio. (Screenshot "Menue 1") Until now I tried a lot; made my way through own ideas, tutorials in various forum posts or videos, asked colleagues, tried prompts in Copilot and so on. The thing is, I always get stuck evertime at the same point. Therefore, I am reaching out to you in hope that you can help me out. My setup is the following - first slide in master slide view: I have a button that consists of these elements grouped together: a circular “Ellipse” element, and above it a vector graphic of an ear. This vector graphic has the normal state (regular ear Icon) and the state selected (ear Icon crossed out). (Screenshot Icon states) The Ellipse has also a second state for hovering with a slight shadow around the circle. Then, to make things even a little bit more complicated, when the user can either click this button directly from the side menue. But if they navigate to the "Menue"-Button, the side menue will expand, laid out on another layer (Screenshot "Menue 2 Expanded"). Next to each button is a section reading the function of the button and thanks to a hotspot over each section, it is also clickable. So the button must be functioning and changing it's states in both ways: regular menue and expanded menue - and from the expanded menue as well. Goal; what should be the effects by clicking the Audio button? As soon as the user clicks on the button group, the audio on the slide should be muted and the state of the vector graphic should change: an ear crossed out. When the user clicks this button again, the audio should be unmuted, and the vector graphic should return to its original state (the normal ear). So, the audio should not be stopped and resumed: The audio should be "playing" without sound in the background with continuous timeline. A slide can also contain multiple consecutive audio files that play one after the other. The audio button un/mutes all of them when the user clicks the button. And when the user moves to the next slide, the WBT should remember that the selected function (audio is turned off/on) and show the ear icon accordingly (as crossed out/normal). Point 3 and 4 shall also apply for the audios of videos: So the video-part is still going on while the audio can be muted/unmuted. --> To make it trickier: This should also work for the case when there are audios and videos on one slide. Hay anyone an idea how to solve this riddle and incorporate all the required speficiations? I would be beyond grateful. Thanks in advance Best regards26Views0likes3CommentsHow I Built This: I Developed an Award-Winning Ethics Course
Why I Built This: When I first learned about branching scenarios, something clicked for me that I hadn’t seen other eLearning developers execute: visually compelling, philosophically rich thought experiments. I studied Moral Philosophy in my undergrad and became obsessed with ethical dilemmas. Naturally, I decided to build an ethics course about technology. Think The Trolley Problem, only I wanted to pose questions about the growing reliance on AI and its implications by employing Instructional Design strategies. An opportunity came up through my Master’s program to attend DevLearn and compete in DemoFest, so it was time to start building my concept. I designed and developed a course in Storyline called The Agency Algorithm that confronts learners with issues regarding three main topics: algorithmic warfare (The Armory), AI assisted resource allocation (The Triage Garden), and surveillance (The Mask Archive). The Experience & Design Intent: A quick walkthrough of the multi-room experience. The Agency Algorithm is a multi-room interactive learning experience that blends instructional design, game-like mechanics, and philosophical inquiry. It immerses learners in ethically complex scenarios by leveraging branching logic, and integrating experiential aesthetics with conceptual depth. My primary goal with this project was to encourage critical reflection on the role of technology on human agency and autonomous choice. The concept itself was pretty clear to me, but I wanted to push the limits of Storyline visually, so I acquired a number of 3D assets from Adobe Stock, some of which I further modified in Adobe Dimension. I wanted the visuals to anchor the learner in a unique environment that did not feel reminiscent of traditional eLearning, and rather create space to explore and feel like a participant in something unfolding. There aren’t often black and white answers to ethical questions, and branching scenarios are an excellent way to illustrate this while offering learners a safe place to experiment and think through various outcomes based on their decision making. Visual Worldbuilding/Making It Not Feel Like eLearning: Initially, I intended to hand draw assets myself to really hone in on the human vs AI dynamic, but quickly realized the time I’d have to accomplish this was dwindling. While I drafted a few loose concepts in my journal, I ultimately decided to stick with digital assets. While I landed on 3D assets largely due to time constraints, the outcome is reminiscent of an old experimental video game or some sort of immersive idea gallery. As an artist, I often approach my work from a minimalist lens so this project was a fun way to really add some artistry that corporate training often doesn’t have room for. Variables, Multi-state objects, Cue points, and other mechanics: I relied heavily on multi-state objects to create hover states, “tip” cards, text labels, and more, for example in the circuits with definition reveals. I enjoyed building the “loading” effect in the Mask Archive, although it was a bit clunky and took a lot of trial and error! I learned a lot along the way and used a cue point on an orb with a glow effect beneath the mask and used triggers to cause the effect to work. The course overall has a few hundred triggers (slide, object, and variable triggers) and somewhere around 40 variables (mostly T/F variables). What I learned: I think it is important that we don’t hand-hold learners through every learning experience. I want users to think through complex challenges and autonomously choose and feel like a true agent in the process of acquiring knowledge. A lot of eLearning makes it too easy for the learner and we lose engagement when we undermine the intelligence of our audience. I learned SO much about how to leverage Storyline in new ways. I am still a relatively new user to the tool, so this project allowed me to freely explore and be guided by curiosity. Link to my portfolio: https://www.abigailvettese.com/361Views8likes3CommentsThemes & Colours: delete or edit a saved theme
Hello everyone, I'm a little confused about themes, master slides, and theme colors. In the attached sample slides and images, you can see that a variety of themes are listed under "Design" - "This project." If I switch to the master level, I also find a variety of slide masters there. My goal, however, would be to only use the theme under "Custom." What do I have to do for that? I'm having a similar problem with the "Design" - "Colors" section. There, under "This project," I see two color blocks that I'd actually like to delete and replace with the custom theme colors "Diakonie." How can I delete or edit the preset themes or colors? When I right-click, there's only the "Apply" option, but not the "Delete or Edit" option. I'm happy to hear any tips ;-)373Views0likes8Comments8 Business Use Cases for Microlearning
Are you excited to try out microlearning, but unsure when to use it? Below, we outline eight common workplace situations that benefit from a short-form course. Each situation includes a sample microlearning. At the end, learn how you can customize these templates for your own company and training needs. 1. Create Organizational Alignment To hit a business target, everyone needs to be moving in the same direction. Creating that alignment starts with clear, frequent communication of the shared mission, vision, and values. Microlearning can help. The following editable template shows how you can align employees through regular executive “micro” updates: Executive Update 2. Highlight HR Information, Notices, or Reminders Educating employees about annual events like open enrollment, tax season, and compliance training is a critical function of HR teams. The problem? Important announcements often get missed when they’re embedded in long paragraphs or endless emails. Grab the following templates to see how microlearning makes HR communications more digestible and engaging: A Quick Guide To Open Enrollment Internal Company Newsletter 3. Strengthen Company Culture and DEI Initiatives Fostering an inclusive company culture is a continuous process—not a one-time effort. A series of microlearnings can support your larger culture-building and DEI efforts. Check out the following examples for ideas on how to get started: Are You an Ally? Try Taking on These 5 Roles How To Identify and Stop Using Ableist Language Gossip-Proof Your Workplace 4. Streamline Business Processes You can also use microlearning to document and streamline business processes or workflows—such as employee onboarding or performance management. Notice how the following examples make it easy for employees to work through the steps of a process independently: New Hire Pre-Hire Checklist Performance Review and Feedback 5. Increase Security Awareness Most successful data breaches, phishing attacks, and other cybersecurity incidents are caused by human error. Adding refresher microlearnings throughout the year can fortify your defenses. See an example for safeguarding against phishing attacks below: Spot the Phish 6. Enhance Employee Wellness A successful business needs thriving employees. But employee wellness training often ends up buried under competing priorities. Microlearning makes it easy for employees to fit in short breaks for self-care throughout the workday. Check out these two wellness-related microlearning examples: 3 Desk Stretches to Instantly Improve Your Day 5 Tips for Better Naps 7. Provide Quick-Reference Guides Microlearning is the perfect resource for one-off training questions: Employees can quickly find the answers they need—when they need them. Below, we’ve created templates for product and software training. But you could easily create quick-reference guides for sales, customer service, and other teams. Get To Know [Name of Product] Software Training 8. Reinforce and Assess Key Takeaways Finally, who says you have to choose between a more sizable course and microlearning? Repetition aids retention. Consider following up longer training sessions with a microlearning quiz, scenario, or summary. The examples listed below demonstrate how you might do this: Can You Recover From a Workplace Mistake? Training Refresher Wrap-Up There’s no shortage of creative ways you can use microlearning to achieve your business training objectives. The examples above are just a starter list. You might also check out submissions to one of our weekly community challenges, 40+ Microlearning Examples Created in Rise 360 #407. Interested in customizing one of these examples for your team? If you’re an Articulate 360 subscriber or trialer, you can edit all of the examples linked throughout this post by choosing the course from our Rise 360 microlearning content templates. Here’s a short video showing how to do that: What’s the latest microlearning course you’ve created? Tell us about it in the comments—and feel free to ask any questions you might have! Like this article? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest e-learning inspiration and insights directly in your inbox. You can also find us on LinkedIn and Twitter.3.2KViews0likes10CommentsHave Closed Captions generate as a variable
I am working on a project, where I have a character who is talking to the user and going into scenarios. Rather than create caption shapes and then typing all of the speaking points out and matching it to the audio on the slide, I was hoping to have/create a variable where the created closed captions could be shown in a text field or wherever else I want on the page rather than the standard top or bottom of the page. This way I could modify the way they look, where they are located, and reduce the time it takes to create conversation scenarios by not having duplicate work.92Views0likes6CommentsHow are you handling SME revisions for larger content changes?
Curious how others handle content updates from SMEs after an eLearning has already been built. Right now, my process is: SME gives me a PowerPoint deck with the content I use that as the source to design/build the learning This works create for the initial build, but the challenge comes later when they want to make changes. For small edits, Review 360 comments work fine. But for larger changes, it gets harder if they want to add a new image, add a new section, shift content around, make changes that are easier to show in a source file than in comments, etc. I could ask them to send me an updated slide deck, but then I’m stuck comparing versions to figure out what changed so I don’t have to rebuild more than necessary. How are others managing this? Do you have SMEs update the original source deck? Do you rely mostly on Review 360 comments? Do you use some kind of change log / revision tracker? Would love to hear what workflows have worked best for you!95Views0likes6Comments