New Advisor Onboarding
Our team is using Articulate to build out new advisor onboarding for our entire campus. Custom Blocks was released shortly before we launched so, naturally, I dove in head first and gave all of our training modules a makeover. I've included screenshots of some of the assets we've used below, and have a review link to one of our training modules linked at the bottom of this post. Each week in our training has a different theme color, based on our University brand colors, that gives each week a really unique feel but with consistent and familiar assets across the entire training. Important tips/suggestions now use this Core Concepts custom block with some design adjustments to match our style: Comparing and contrasting various features and processes is so much more visually appealing now than when we were using simple tables before: 1. 2. The custom blocks have really opened up a whole new world for me as I think about how we share content visually. I like to start with one of the templates from Articulate and then see where my imagination takes me. Check out the way I formatted degree requirements: One of my absolute favorite design features in custom blocks are the ombre color effects. It is visually stunning (in all of the theme colors we have utilized), adds interest to the content, and naturally leads a learner through the content. Here are a few examples from our courses: 1. 2. 3. 4. I had a great time utilizing the conversation bubbles to share some example questions and answers from advisors. I also uploaded some images and played around with sizing for this cusom block - I have to say, this one is my absolute favorite thing I have created so far: If you made it all the way here - thank you and I'm so excited to share all of this with you! For a deeper look at how this looks in our courses, check out our course for Week 4: Advising Technology & ToolsWhat happened at Bluff Creek?
Hello! This week, I used Rise's new Custom Block to add extra layers to this microlearning mystery. Can you solve the mystery of what happened at Bluff Creek? As this Beta feature is not yet fully accessible, I needed to hardcode the captions into the videos I used in the Custom Blocks. Otherwise, it was very easy to angle the videos and combine them with shapes, images, and text, to create 'interactive collages' in the Custom Block. Bonus feature I've used Fire Mods from Discover eLearning to add a custom reflection block to the course. (ChrisHodgson is a genius!) This allows you to jot down your hunch during the investigation, and then refer back to your notes before the final reveal. Just like Columbo would. The voice of 'Annie' is 'River' from Storyline 360's AI Text-to-Speech. I exported the audio files and added the tinny tape recorder effect in Audacity. The audiovisual elements were made using CCO footage from Unsplash, with a dash of Synthesia, edited in Camtasia. Then I mixed it all together in Rise and... voila! One half-baked mystery. Can you piece together the events of Tuesday, 13th July, 1976? CLICK HERE
Diving Into My First E-Learning Challenge – A Simple Take on PASS
I just completed my first E-Learning Challenge from David Anderson—Challenge #508: creating a short, effective training module to teach the PASS method (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) for fire extinguisher use. I built the course in Rise 360, leaning on the AI Assistant to help me outline the content. As a first-timer, I wanted to keep it simple and practical, focusing on what would actually help learners retain the steps. Here’s what I included: 🧯 Step-by-step blocks to break down each action clearly 🔄 A drag-and-drop activity to help reinforce the correct order 🧠 A quick quiz to check understanding I kept the module lightweight and approachable—something that could be used in onboarding or a quick safety refresher. With more time, I’d love to explore a more immersive or scenario-based version. ✨ Big takeaway: Even with simple tools, thoughtful design can make a big impact. And starting small is a great way to learn what works! 🔗 Here’s the course I created Would love any feedback or ideas for taking this further!PASS to Safety
For this challenge, I created a short, interactive eLearning module that teaches learners how to use a fire extinguisher using the PASS method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. Features include: A realistic fire scenario to set the stage Interactive buttons and layers for each PASS step Drag-and-drop practice to reinforce learning Custom illustrations designed in Canva Voiceover narration A fun and lighthearted close to leave learners with a smile (and a safety reminder!) The goal was to keep it memorable while still rooted in essential fire safety training. I’d love for you to check it out and share any feedback! Here is a link: PASS to Safety
