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AI Generated Images – MS Designer

Articulate eLearning Challenge #416  is Using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to Build Online Training. Microsoft Designer is a new tool that allows you to create custom AI-generated images for your designs. Right now it’s free with an Office 365 subscription. I just tried it, and it’s really fun to work with!

The short, silly video I created, Bobo’s Revenge, is the result of typing in four sentences, and choosing from the images Designer offered.

The four sentences:

1. Chimp plays a flute, comic book style.

2. Chimp orchestra, comic book style.

3. Angry chimp playing the bongos,
comic book style.

4. Chimp in despair, comic book style.

Why these 4 sentences? I have no idea, just playing around!

Bobo's Revenge

Authoring Tools:

  • Microsoft Designer
  • PowerPoint
  • Camtasia

3D Velociraptor

The Velociraptor is my submission to Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #347: Using 3D Models in E-Learning.

Authoring Tools

To create the LinkedIn promo for this demo, I used an animation application new to me, called CreateStudio.

I created the Velociraptor demo in PowerPoint, using the application’s 3D Model Tools, morph slide transitions, & applied zoom & fly-in animations to the text boxes.

I did a screen capture of the PowerPoint slide show with Camtasia, then added music, sound effects, and an animated end title sequence with the video-editing software. (I’ve found that saving a PowerPoint slide show as a video does not give me as high a quality video as doing a screen capture, when there are many slide transitions and animations in the presentation.)

Free Download!

PowerPoint comes with plenty of free templates and themes. When you open the application, you can search for templates in various categories, as shown in the image below. I searched in the Education category, and found this school report template, which I modified for this presentation. To check out how the morph transition works, you can download the template here: Velociraptor PowerPoint template.

Bonus Download!

It is possible to create 3D promos for your work, using PowerPoint. The example above was made with PowerPoint and exported to video.

Download the editable PowerPoint version here.

Flu Facts Challenge

Play the Interactive eLearning Game!

Take the Flu Facts Challenge is a short informal learning game, created with PowerPoint and Articulate Storyline 360. Click on the image to view the game demo. This demo was submitted to Articulate’s Choose Your Own eLearning Challenge #378 (2022).

The game is meant to be played by members of the public at individual kiosks at a community health care fair. Both adults and children will have access to the game.

Gamification, or applying game design techniques to instructional design, is one way to engage and motivate people to interact with a learning module.

Images: Many of the character and background images in this module come from eLearning Art, a subscription service that provides graphics and templates for the eLearning community. This demo is featured on their eLearning and Training Examples blog.

To create the comic book effect with the images I used, I employed the use of a tool that turns regular images into cartoons: Colorcinch. This online photo editor & “cartoonizer” is inexpensive and easy to use.

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint, Storyline 360, Colorcinch, eLearning Art

The Project Overview and Background Information for Take the Flu Facts Challenge can be downloaded here.

Project Overview

Transparent Echo Technique

Click the image above to view the Articulate Rise demo.

Articulate’s eLearning Challenge #377 is to create an Image Effect for eLearning Cover Slides. I decided to create an example of the Transparent Echo Technique for the banner image in an Articulate Rise course.

All of the images in this course were created with the mix-and-match vector cartoons available for use in the stock images section of the PowerPoint ribbon.

Articulate Rise Clear Image Tip

When you upload an image to a Rise course, be sure to put “_noprocess_” somewhere in the image file name. (Do not include the quotation marks.) This will prevent Rise from compressing the image, which lowers the quality. Image file name example: tracy_cartoon_noprocess_.png

Vector Graphics in eLearning

Articulate’s eLearning Challenge #376 is Creating eLearning Templates from Vector Graphics. Vector graphics are infinitely scalable images created using mathematically defined elements. This means you can make a vector graphic as large or small as you want without losing any quality. It also means that vector images are great to use in eLearning courses.

PowerPoint has mix-and-match vector illustrations and cartoons available to use in the stock images included with the application. I colorized these cartoons by right-clicking on the image to convert it to individual shapes, then selected a fill color for each shape.

To create the Billy goes to the Hospital presentation above, I used PowerPoint vector cartoons and vector backgrounds from eLearning Art, then I saved the PowerPoint as a video. This low-cost technique could be used to create scenarios for eLearning courses.

For the Practical Math video below, I used vectors from Freepik in PowerPoint. Using PowerPoint’s animation effects helps create a parallax effect. This example is a short preamble to an eLearning math course.

Download the Freebies!

Download the Editable PowerPoints

To learn more about working with vector images, I recommend Tom Kuhlmann’s YouTube video tutorial.

Picky Eater Cafe

Check out the demo by clicking the image above!

The Picky Eater Cafe is an Articulate Storyline interaction I created as a response to Articulate’s eLearning Heroes Challenge #373, eLearning Course Templates Inspired by Restaurant Menus.

Users select tips from the menu to learn how to cope with the picky eaters they know.

Cool Tool

To create the comic book effect with the images I used, I employed the use of a tool that turns regular images into cartoons: Colorcinch. This online photo editor & “cartoonizer” is easy to use, and free! There are more advanced versions of the application that require a paid subscription, but for this demo I went with the free version. Below is a quick example that shows how the free version of the tool can quickly create cartoon versions of photos.

I used several authoring tools to create this presentation:

  • Articulate Storyline 360
  • PowerPoint
  • Freepik
  • Canva
  • Colorcinch cartoonizer

Back to the Office

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, lifestyles have changed. Many former office workers now work remotely, from their homes. At this point, some organizations are demanding that workers return to the office. Check out the demo by clicking the image above!

Back to the Office is an Articulate Rise interaction based on this situation. I created this demo as a response to Articulate’s eLearning Heroes Challenge #371Using Labeled Graphics to Create Interactive Pictures in E-Learning.

I decided to use a comic book theme, and use labeled graphics to advance the scenario. Users click on the markers to reveal the graphics, which serve as speech bubbles for the characters.

I used several authoring tools to create this presentation:

  • Freepik
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • PowerPoint
  • Articulate Rise

I found the images I wanted to use by exploring pop art images on the Freepik site. I picked images that would be easy for me to manipulate using Adobe Illustrator and/or PowerPoint.

Vector mages downloaded from Freepik are easily edited in Illustrator. For each image I used, I removed the backgrounds by simply turning off the background layer in Illustrator, and exporting the image as a transparent png image.

Working with PowerPoint, I was able to compose new images by combining graphics, inserting new backgrounds, increasing color saturation and changing the expression on a character’s face by adding colored shapes strategically.

3D Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope video is my submission to Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #347: Using 3D Models in E-Learning.

Authoring Tools

PowerPoint

I started with PowerPoint. Using a 3D model of Hubble (a free PPTX asset), I created a simple green screen video by using the morph transition between the slides, and publishing the PPTX as a video. I used a green rectangle shape as the background, because I knew that I wanted to use several videos as backgrounds for the floating space telescope. The addition of video backgrounds contributes to the 3D effect of the Hubble moving through space.

Camtasia

In Camtasia, I used the Remove a Color tool to remove the green background, and render it transparent. Then I completed the demo by adding:

  • Several background videos (free assets from Pixabay)
  • Text boxes and shapes
  • Background music (free asset from Camtasia)
  • Narration (text-to-speech)

Storyline 360

Storyline is used to deliver the video. A couple of online Resources are included, so users can seek out further information if they desire.

What’s so Exciting about DevLearn?

**Update Oct. 17, 2021**

Although I won’t be able to make it to DevLearn 2021, I’m excited for everyone who is going to the conference this year. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun and learn a lot!

From October 2019:

What’s so Exciting About DevLearn? is another demo for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #250: How are You Using Text and Images in E-Learning Design?

Click the image below to view the online demo.

Create Cartoons with PowerPoint

I created the icon of myself in PowerPoint several years ago, by using shapes and grouping them together. I saved the grouped images as a .png to preserve the transparent background, so that I could use the image in other applications.

Freebie Tutorial & Download

I produced an annotated video tutorial about the cartoon creation technique, and provided a free PowerPoint download here: https://tracycarroll.net/annotated-video-tutorial-create-cartoons-with-powerpoint/

Powtoon and Camtasia for Video Editing

I used Powtoon to compose the slides, create slide transitions, and add background music. Finally, I used Camtasia to edit the video and reduce the file size.

Authoring Tools: Powtoon, PowerPoint, Camtasia

Interactive Map

Thelma’s Adventure is my interactive map demo for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #314. The demo is based on a vintage 1926 Beverly Hills street map of the stars’ homes that I found online. I gave the presentation an Art Deco look, with vintage background music, to complete the 1920s look and feel.

Click the image below to view the online demo.

Interactive Map of the Stars’ Homes

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint, Storyline 360

2 Truths and a Lie

Classic Icebreaker Practice: 2 Truths & a Lie is my demo for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #313.

Click the image below to view the online demo.

Animation Tools: Powtoon, PowerPoint, & Camtasia

I created the animated cartoons with Powtoon, and edited the videos with Camtasia. To animate the cat’s face with different expressions, I used PowerPoint shapes.

Authoring Tools: Powtoon, Camtasia, Storyline 360, PowerPoint

Urban Beekeeping

Keeping the Urban Bee is my demo for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #312: Combine Photos and Illustrations in E-Learning #312

Click the image below to view the online demo.

Using PowerPoint to Alter Photographs and Images

The background photographs were edited in PowerPoint, using the application’s Artistic Effects tool. Techniques used:

  • Tint the photos with sepia tones
  • De-saturate colors
  • Blurred background images
  • Darkened images

Some of the illustrations were also edited using PowerPoint, using the following tools:

  • Background removal tool
  • Sharpen contrast tool
  • Increase color saturation
Powtoon and Camtasia for Video Editing

I used Powtoon to create slide transitions, add the animated bee, and to add background music. Camtasia was used to reduce the size of the video and provide the video player.

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint/Presenter 360, Powtoon, Camtasia

Urban Beekeeping info from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_beekeeping

Medical Template

This is an entry for Articulate’s Course Starter Templates for the Healthcare Industry – E-Learning ELH Challenge #171. The template features a slider interaction, click-and-reveal light-boxes, several different types of quiz questions, and has some generic audio instructions included.

Click on the image above to view the demo.

FREEBIES!

The template is fully customizable. In fact, this template is a customized version of the my Teamwork Training Free Customized Storyline 2 Template, found here.

There are two versions of the medical template available to download; one for Storyline 2, and one for Storyline 360 (that one will also work for Storyline 3).

Downloads:
  • The freebie Storyline 2 medical template download is here.
  • The freebie Storyline 360 medical template download is here.

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint (for editing images), Storyline 2, Storyline 360

Rules of the Road

The Rules of the Road is my eLearning game/quiz demo for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #245: Designing Custom Quiz Results Slides in E-Learning (2019).

Click the image below to view the online demo and play the game!

Custom Quiz Results and Feedback Slides

The Rules of the Road game is really a Storyline eLearning quiz with gamified elements, including custom question feedback slides and customized quiz results slides.

Authoring Tools: Storyline 360 for the quiz slides, PowerPoint for altering images, Camtasia for video editing

London Navigation

Getting Around London is my demo for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #250: How are You Using Text and Images in E-Learning Design?

Click the image below to view the online demo.

Using PowerPoint to Alter Images

The images were edited in PowerPoint, using the application’s Artistic Effects tool. Techniques used:

  • Gradients superimposed on images
  • Blurred background images
  • Darkened images
  • Transparent text boxes over images
  • Contrasting sharp and blurred images
Powtoon and Camtasia for Video Editing

I used Powtoon to create slide transitions, and to add background music. Finally, I used Camtasia to insert an interactive hotspot over the url for the Transport for London site, where they can get further information.

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint, Powtoon, Camtasia

Tabs Interaction

For my second entry to this Articulate Challenge, I created a short animated tabs interaction, that combines Plotagon animation with a new, very inexpensive PowerPoint add-in that I’ve been trying out, called the BlueFX Whiteboard Explainer Template.

Click on the image below to view the demo.

Authoring Tools

For tutorials on using any or all of the following tools I used to develop the presentation, I recommend doing an online search! Each of the software applications listed have excellent tutorials on their websites.

  • BlueFx Whiteboard Explainer PowerPoint Template – for whiteboard animation
  • Plotagon – for animated 3D characters
  • Camtasia – for video editing
  • Articulate Storyline 360 – for eLearning development

 

eLearning Rock Band

In 2016, Articulate posed eLearning Challenge #143, to “design an interactive graphic or micro site for your (fictitious) eLearning rock band!”

The eLearning rock band I manage is called äSynchronous eLeärning. Click the image below to check out their website. They’re available to hire for weddings and bar mitzvahs!

Creating the Demo Using PowerPoint, Camtasia, and Storyline

I used PowerPoint to create the demo video, because I wanted to use the glass-shattering transition available in PowerPoint. I published the PowerPoint as a video to edit in Camtasia.

In Camtasia, I added the glass shattering sound effect and added a rock song that plays throughout the presentation. The royalty-free track is called Fit of Rage. I used a text-to-voice tool to record the ultra-simple (and simple-minded) lyrics to the song, which I renamed the scope creap. I combined the robotic voice, the music, and the PowerPoint video to create my demo video, which was imported into Storyline 360.

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint, Camtasia, Articulate Storyline 360

Color Wars

Color Wars: The Rise of Classic Blue is my submission to Star Wars E-Learning Examples, Articulate’s E-Learning Challenge #262.

Click the image below to view the demo.

Authoring Tools

I created the introduction videos in this e-Learning demo using Plotagon animation. Camtasia was used to edit the videos in the demo, by adding speech bubbles and background music. PowerPoint was used to create the opening image, and text effects.

Gamification

Storyline 360 was used to create the the Color Wars game.

Holiday Office Party

The Holiday Office Party is another submission to Using Interactive Video Quizzes and Scenarios in E-Learning, Articulate’s E-Learning Challenge #258. Click the image below to view the comic book-themed gamified demo.

The boss is pretty strict! Can you meet her unwritten dress code standards and win prizes at the office holiday party?!

Authoring Tools: Camtasia, PowerPoint & Storyline 360.

Arctic Survival Game

The Arctic Survival Game is my demo for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #252: Using Checklist Interactions in E-Learning.

Click the image below to view the online game demo.

Animation

I used the Powtoon animation application to create the retro animated video, and PowerPoint to create and/or alter some of the 8-bit images. Camtasia was used to edit the video. Finally, Articulate Storyline 360 was used to create the game (quiz). 

Authoring Tools: Powtoon, Camtasia, PowerPoint

Breakfast Challenge

The Breakfast Challenge is my demo for the new Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #247: Using E-Learning Characters to Engage and Connect with Learners.

Click the image below to view the online demo.

Retro Style

The slides and images were edited in PowerPoint, using the application’s drawing tools, artistic effects, and slide transitions. I exported the PowerPoint to create a video, which I edited in Camtasia, to add music and sound effects. Finally, I uploaded the video to Storyline 360, where I added the quiz slide for interactivity.

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint, Camtasia, Articulate Storyline 360

L. A. Homicide

Show Where You Live

l.a. homicide

Articulate E-Learning Challenge #86 was to create an interactive map showing where you live. My hometown is Los Angeles, and I chose to create a map showing some of our most famous homicides. Unfortunately, I hardly had time to scratch the surface. So many murders, so little time… Click the image above to see the demo.

Updated for Challenge #237: Using Interactive Maps in E-Learning

6/16/19: I edited the short video introduction in PowerPoint. I saved the PowerPoint as a video, edited it in Camtasia, then imported it into Articulate Storyline 360.

For the updated interactive map, I added a new location: the Beverly Hills mansion where Bugsy Siegal was slain.

I wanted music to play in the background continuously, but I needed to give viewers the freedom to click any link they want, and take as much (or as little) time exploring each link as they wanted.

Currently, Storyline 360 does not support playing background music across multiple slides, so I put the entire presentation on one Storyline slide, using multiple layers. The audio is contained on the base layer, and the hyperlinks take viewers to various layers of the same slide.

Reduce Your Global Footprint

Articulate’s  E-Learning Challenge #238 is to use a step-by-step approach in an e-learning example. Click the image below to see my demo, and learn how to easily reduce your carbon footprint immediately.

Step #3: Plant Greens!

For this example, I chose to use Articulate Presenter, a PowerPoint add-in, rather than Storyline, because I wanted some background music to play across several slides. Storyline 360 does not have that capability, but Presenter 360 does! It’s great to have a variety of e-learning tools in the toolbox.

I created the animated videos with PowToon animation.

Authoring Tools: PowToon Animation, PowerPoint, Articulate Presenter 360, Camtasia for video editing

Interactive Infographic

Updated – June 6, 2019:

I discovered the original interactive infographic I submitted to the Articulate challenges years ago was no longer working correctly. I took this opportunity to update the infographic to Storyline 360, and create a new video for the project.

I believe this presentation was the first of mine to make it to the Articulate eLearning Examples page! Click the image below to view the demo.

Challenge #236 is an interactive infographic challenge. For the challenge, I created an interactive poster as my infographic, available on one page, rather than a multi-page e-learning module. The very simple design is similar to Pinterest tiles. I used Plotagon animation to create the animated characters, and made the owl out of PowerPoint shapes.

Tutorial: Learn How to Re-size the Storyline Slide:

I decided to use a portrait orientation to give it the feel of a poster. Storyline makes it easy to change the size and orientation of your presentation. To change your Storyline module’s size, click on the STORY SIZE button, shown below, and choose either a preset size, or go with a custom size.

change the story size

 

Authoring tools: PowerPoint, Plotagon animation, Camtasia video editing & Storyline 360.

Create Common Craft Style Characters with PowerPoint

Click the image above to view the tutorial I created as a response to Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #170. The challenge was to create and share your own “hand-crafted” explainer video, similar to a Common Craft style video. In my tutorial, I’ll show you how to create Common Craft style graphics in less time than it takes to hand-draw and cut out images, using PowerPoint shapes and shadow effects. Click the image above to view the tutorial.

Using the Paper Cutout Effect to Design E-Learning Graphics – Articulate Challenge #235

Update: The same technique can be applied to photos for a paper cutout effect!

PowerPoint Freebie!

Click here to download the PowerPoint with all the graphics in the tutorial above.

Authoring tools: PowerPoint, Camtasia, Storyline 360

Freebie Office Template

Articulate’s E-Learning Challenge #234 is to create a course starter template, using an office theme.

This editable course starter template is a PowerPoint presentation on the perils of office gossip, which can be imported into Storyline, or used as an Articulate Presenter presentation.

Video demo:

PowerPoint’s Artistic Effects

All of the images in the presentation come from the Articulate 360 Content Library. I used PowerPoint’s Artistic Effects tools to transform an Articulate photographic character into a comic book character, to fit with the office comic book theme.

Freebie PowerPoint download: https://tracycarroll.net/234%20office%20theme.pptx

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint, Camtasia for video editing

Leadership Training Template

E-Learning Heroes Challenge #230 is: Course Starters: E-Learning Templates for Leadership Training. This week’s challenge from Articulate is to share a course starter template for leadership training.

Click the image below to view the Storyline version of my comic book style demo.

Creation Process

I started creating this demo by leveraging Paul Alders’ PowerPoint template, which you can download for free on the Articulate E-Learning Heroes website: https://community.articulate.com/download/powerpoint-comic-strip-template

Original template

My template

To make the template my own, I changed the colors on the slide master backgrounds, using PowerPoint’s picture tools. I like bolder colors for comic books, so I darkened and increased the color saturation and color contrast on most of the background images. (I thought it would be quicker and easier than it was, because I thought the backgrounds were shapes rather than images! So, I’m not sure I actually saved myself much time in this process!)

I replaced the existing fonts with some I already had on my computer (Bangers & Back Issues BB – both can be downloaded for free), and decided to go with photographic images, rather than cartoons, for the characters in the scenario. I altered the photographic characters by using PowerPoint’s artistic effects. Then, I included some office backgrounds, again altered by using PowerPoint’s artistic effects tools.

PowerPoint Versatility

I like creating in PowerPoint when I want to manipulate images extensively, using PowerPoint’s image-editing tools. It makes for a smoother workflow for me, rather than uploading images into Photoshop, editing them, then downloading them from Photoshop and uploading them to an eLearning application. When I’ve edited all the images in the PowerPoint to my satisfaction, I can upload the PowerPoint to Storyline, or use Articulate Presenter, to finish my eLearning course and add interactivity. Sometimes I export the PowerPoint to video, and use Camtasia’s video-editing tools and quiz capability, too.

Free PowerPoint Template Download!

Download my version of the comic book template here.

Authoring Tools

PowerPoint, Storyline 360

Play Mongoose vs Cobra!

It’s Mongoose vs Cobra! Who will win? Marty and Mona Mongoose battle the snake charmer’s cobra to get to the finish line. Click on the image below to view the demo, roll the dice, and play the game!

This Storyline game demo is a response to Articulate’s E-Learning Games Challenge #225. The challenge is to create a variation on the classic board game, Snakes and Ladders.

I used Russell Killips‘ original Snakes and Ladders Storyline Game for inspiration. To learn more & download Russell Killips’ freebie Snakes and Ladders Storyline template on the Articulate E-Learning Heroes site, click on the image below.

Authoring Tools

PowerPoint 365, Storyline 360

Living Coral Template

Articulate E-Learning Challenge #214: Using the 2019 Pantone Color of the Year

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2019 is Living Coral. To view my Living Coral eLearning Template demo, click the image above.

Customizing the Template

I customized the Articulate 360 Serenity template by changing the color scheme on the Master Slide, and changed the colors on the Articulate Player to correspond with the new Living Coral theme. I added background images, made available on the Articulate website by Tom Kuhlmann, for visual interest.

The classic Articulate cartoon characters were customized by saving them as Microsoft Drawing Objects, then changing colors as desired, to correspond with Pantone’s Focal Point palette.

 

Free Assets!

Authoring tools for this presentation: Articulate Presenter 360, PowerPoint

Newspaper Infographic

A More Engaging Info Dump

Click the image below to view the Articulate Storyline demo, a very late submission to the Articulate ELH Challenge #12: Transform Infographics Into Interactive Graphics

As an instructional designer/eLearning developer, sometimes I’m called upon to create “information dump” eLearning modules. These modules frequently contain a lot of downloadable documents on various disconnected subjects, such as forms for procedural updates.

I created this fun newspaper-themed interactive infographic to demonstrate how such information might be organized in an engaging way. Each pulsating button plays a short animated video, created with Plotagon animation, that describes the document update in question. Learners are encouraged to download the documents from the Resources tab.

Free Resources

Authoring tools: PowerPoint 365, Storyline 360, Plotagon

Comic Book Theme

Toxic Work Relationships

This demo was one of my submissions to Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #204: Comic Book Theme E-Learning Templates #204

Click the image below to view the demo of this Articulate Presenter 360 template in action!

Articulate Presenter 360

Articulate Presenter is a PowerPoint add-in. If you subscribe to Articulate 360, it’s one of the tools in your arsenal. In this template, I also used an Engage conversation interaction, and a QuizMaker multiple choice question. I edited format of the Engage and QuizMaker master slides to blend with look of the Presenter/PowerPoint template.

The template came from the Articulate 360 content library; I changed the theme fonts on the PowerPoint master slide.

PowerPoint’s Image Editing Tools

I used PowerPoint’s picture formatting (sharpen 100%, color saturation 200%) and artistic effects tools (Cutout effect, 6 shades, varying transparency levels) to cartoonify the Articulate photographic characters in this template.

2 FREEBIE Downloads!

I’ve included two freebie versions; the Presenter package if you have access to Articulate Presenter 360, and the PowerPoint only version, if you don’t. In the PowerPoint only version, the Engage 360 and QuizMaker 360 interactions are not included.

Authoring tools: Articulate Presenter 360, PowerPoint 2016, QuizMaker 360, Engage 360

Dark Comic Template

This demo was one of my submissions to E-Learning Heroes Challenge #204: Comic Book Theme E-Learning Templates #204

Click the image below to view the demo of this Storyline 360 template in action!

I was able to create this theme quickly, thanks to the Articulate 360 content library, which has editable themes and multiple cartoon character choices. I changed the fonts for the existing theme, and added larger shadow effects to the characters for a moody effect. The background images also came from the content library.

I used PowerPoint’s picture format and artistic effects tools and  to edit some of the images.

FREEBIE Storyline 360 download (modern player):

FREEBIE Storyline 3 download (classic player):

Authoring tools:  Articulate Storyline 360, PowerPoint 2016

Glasgow Coma Scale

The Glasgow Coma Scale

This week’s Articulate E-Learning Heroes challenge is to share an example of an interactive video quiz.

Click the image above to see the short demo. I created the video scenario in GoAnimate, used Camtasia and PowerPoint to do some editing, and imported the video into Storyline 360 to add the quiz questions.

Authoring Tools: GoAnimate, Storyline 360, Camtasia, PowerPoint 16

Updated 6/3/18

Escape the Room

Help Diego escape his cubicle! Diego’s evil boss has locked him in his glass cubicle for failing to properly format his TPS report. Don’t you just hate that when it happens?!

This demo is my submission to Articulate’s Designing Escape the Room Puzzle Games in E-Learning Challenge #198.

Graphic Design with PowerPoint

I used PowerPoint image editing tools to create the graphics for this presentation.

 

Animation & Video Editing Tools

The animated video in the demo was created with the Plotagon animation application, then edited with Camtasia video editing software. I imported the short video into Articulate Storyline 360 module.

Updated 6/4/18.

Tabs Navigation – ELH Challenge #199

4 Benefits of Donating Blood is my submission to Articulate’s Challenge: Common E-Learning Interactions: Tabs Navigation (2018) #199

Leveraging a Free Tabs Download

I created this new tabs interaction by revamping a free tabs template download created and made available on the Articulate community website by Montse Anderson.

The Benefits of Fruits template is a Storyline 2 template. I upgraded the template to Storyline 360, then changed the colors, fonts, graphics, text, and added text-to-speech audio with background music.

Free Downloads!

Download the Storyline 360 template by clicking here: Tabs Navigation

I used the font Caviar Dreams for the text. To create the cartoon characters, I used the fonts Kartoon Kutz, and Kartoon Kutz 2. Download all three fonts: 3 Fonts

I used PowerPoint to create the cartoon images from Kartoon Kutz fonts. Get the PowerPoint file by clicking here: Font Characters

Tutorial

In The Rapid E-Learning Blog, author Tom Kuhlmann created a great tutorial showing how to create free icons and images using fonts: Create Free Icons and Images in PowerPoint Using Dingbat Fonts

Authoring tools: Storyline 360, PowerPoint

Software Simulation: How much is your time worth?

how-much

Articulate Challenge #144: Slide, Drag, and Hover Past Boring Next Buttons 

 

This ELH Challenge is about creating a navigation structure without using the ubiquitous NEXT button to move viewers from slide to slide. The module I created is called How much is your time worth?, and there is no NEXT button in sight.

The Business Problem Addressed 

 

A fictional healthcare provider, SoCal Solutions Healthcare, wants to encourage their members to use their online healthcare portal, rather than always phoning Customer Service for information and to make appointments.  This module seeks to describe the benefits of using the website rather than the phone to take care of most of the members’ needs, and it also gives the members some practice in using the website to accomplish a simple task. 

Slider Navigation

 

slider-nav

 

The first part of the module uses a Storyline 2* innovation, the slider, to advance the viewer from layer to layer on the introduction slide. The introduction describes the problem of phoning Customer Service for help – the long wait on hold that can be a frustrating waste of time.

*I’ve since updated the module to Storyline 360 – 11.28.17.

Software Simulation

 

software_simulation

 

The second half of the module is a software simulation, where the user must perform the correct action in order to advance the slide. I used Storyline’s screen capture function to record my keystrokes and mouse movements as I completed the software task, and converted the video produced into a timed quiz format. Viewers get pop-up hints to help them complete the task in under two minutes.

I used the built-in Storyline quiz timer in the top right of the screen to help motivate the learner to complete the task quickly. 

Authoring Tools: Photoshop (to create comic book effects for the images in the Introduction section), Storyline 360

Creative Image Effects – Challenge #156

  

This is my entry for Articulate’s E-Learning ELH Challenge #156: Creative Image Effects for Stock Photos in E-Learning. Click the image above to view the Mad Men-inspired demo.

Tutorial/PowerPoint Download

I used PowerPoint to create the comic book photo effects shown in the demo, using the steps shown below. To download the PowerPoint Photo Effects Step-by-Step zip folder, click here.

 
 
Authoring Tools: PowerPoint, Articulate Presenter 360

Another Medical Template FREEBIE!

This is another entry for Articulate’s E-Learning ELH Challenge #171: Course Starter Templates for the Healthcare Industry. The template is fully customizable. I based the template on the Articulate 360 Journey template, available in the 360 Content Library. I changed the color scheme on the PowerPoint slide master, and added new graphics, some animations and slide transitions. The process was remarkably fast and easy!

Click on the image above to view the demo. 

FREEBIES!

There are two versions of the medical template available to download in a zip folder; one version is a PowerPoint file, and the other is an Articulate Presenter file. If you don’t have Articulate Presenter, you can still use the PowerPoint file on its own, or import it into Storyline or Captivate.

Download the zip folder:

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint, Articulate Presenter 360

Corporate Course Freebie

Click on the image below to view the course.

This module has been updated to Storyline 360, using the new text-to-speech closed-captioning feature. You can download either the Storyline 2 or the Storyline 360 version below.

corpcourse2

Editable content slides

corpcourse3

Editable quiz slides

Download the editable Storyline 2 .story file: http://goo.gl/f2VaRG

Download the editable Storyline 360 file: https://goo.gl/6r9g8g

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint, Storyline 2, Storyline 360

Using E-Learning to Teach Foreign Languages – ELH #179

This e-learning example is a response to Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #179: Using E-Learning to Teach Foreign Languages. The challenge was to create a language training course interaction.

Re-purposing an Existing Template

To quickly create this interaction, I used the Freebie FAQs Storyline Template that I give away on my website. I changed the colors of the template on the Storyline master slide to reflect the colors of the French flag.

Cartoon Techniques

To create the cartoons of the French man & woman in this interaction, I used some of the techniques I’ve employed in previous tutorials, using PowerPoint shapes and drawing tools:

Authoring tools for this presentation: Storyline 360, PowerPoint

 

FREEBIE: Construction Theme E-Learning Template #183

This is an entry for Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #183 – Course Starters: Construction Theme E-Learning Templates. Click on the image above to view the demo.

I leveraged the trusty Articulate Content Library and some of my old Storyline 2 presentations to create this course starter template. The themes available in the Content Library are easy to customize, and you can replace the generic images with specific photos from the content library to suit your needs. I added animations, and used PowerPoint to create some visual effects on some of the images.

FREEBIE Download:

The Construction Course Starter Template is compatible with Storyline 360 & Storyline 3.

Click to download: https://tracycarroll.net/Construction%20Template%20SL360.zip

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint (for editing images), Storyline 360

Teaching with Plotagon Animation

How Are Course Designers Using Educational Animations?

Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #76 is about creating educational animations. My entry demonstrates how teachers can use animation tools, such as Plotagon, in the the classroom to engage students in learning.

DRIVER’S EDUCATION

In my example, a Driver’s Education instructor would have a class discussion about the most important defensive driving tips. Allow students to express their own views on the driving issues they believe are the most critical. Next, allow students to create short videos concerning the tips they determine are most important. Devote a class period to watching and discussing the videos the students create!

PLOTAGON VIDEO

To create my animated video example, I used Plotagon, an application that allows users to easily turn written text into animated videos. I inserted the Plotagon mp.4 video into a PowerPoint presentation, to add some text overlay at the beginning and the end of the video:

Then, I published the PowerPoint as a video presentation and uploaded it to YouTube:

Authoring Tools: Plotagon, PowerPoint

Rotoscoping Animation for E-Learning Courses #167

Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #167 is all about creating a rotoscoping animation demo for e-learning courses. To see my demo, click the image below.

I had actually never heard the term “rotoscoping animation” before, but when the classic Take On Me music video from the ’80s was referenced, I recalled the cool hand-drawn animation effect that was used.

Rotoscoping is a technique used by animators, where they trace over motion picture footage, frame by frame, when realistic action is required. I wanted to try to replicate the effect. The problem is, it takes a long time to do that!

Since I don’t have time to spend several hours on producing this effect for e-learning, I tried using a shortcut involving PowerPoint’s Artistic Effects filters. 

Tutorial

I created my “rotoscoping animation” effect in less than half an hour! To view the tutorial on how I did it, click the image below.

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint 2016, Storyline 360

FREEBIE Health Care Tabs Template

This is yet another entry for Articulate’s E-Learning ELH Challenge #171: Course Starter Templates for the Healthcare Industry. This Storyline 360 template can be customized to suit your needs.

Select the image below to view the demo.

For this health care tabs template, I used the “scrubbed” font below to create characters with a medical theme.

   

Using PowerPoint, I added color to each font picture, before uploading them to the Storyline template.

Download the the FREEBIE:
E-Learning Hero Inspiration

This template was inspired by Trina Rimmer’s Storyline tabs template, available at: https://community.articulate.com/download/storyline-2-progressive-tabs

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint, Articulate Storyline 360

Hand-Crafted Explainer Videos – Articulate Challenge #170

Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #170 is to create and share your own “hand-crafted” explainer video, similar to a Common Craft style video. Select the image below to view my demo.

The idea is to draw the images on paper, cut them out with scissors, and film your hand-drawn images as you move them about by hand. Record your e-learning script and add your narration to complete the e-learning module.

Use Analog Tools?!

Common Craft - Tools of the Trade

Pens, markers, rulers, scissors… I had a few challenges with this challenge!

  1. I can’t draw,
  2. I don’t own a tripod, and
  3. I don’t have the time necessary to use this approach.

So I decided to create my own version of a quick Common Craft style video, using some of my trusty computer tools:

  • Common Craft cutout icons

  • PowerPoint – to customize the Common Craft icons, and use the PowerPoint Pen tool to draw the Mona Lisa.

  • Vyond, to animate the characters
  • Storyline 360, to add the audio narration and publish the module for the web
  • PowerPoint, to draw the Mona Lisa

Visual Storytelling with Photo Collages #27

Click the image to see the colorful interaction.

For the E-Learning Heroes Challenge #27, Visual Storytelling with Photo Collages, I decided to use the labeled graphic lesson format in Articulate RISE to display my “collage.”

I used PowerPoint to create a comic-book slide, using colorized Kartoon Kutz font characters for images. Then I saved the slide as an image, and used that as the basis of my labeled graphic interaction.

Authoring Tools: PowerPoint 2016, Articulate RISE

 

Freebie – ELH #165 E-Learning Graphics Using Free Font Icons

View the Demo

Articulate’s ELH Challenge #165 is to create custom e-learning graphics using free font icons. Click the image below to see a Storyline 360 demo of my challenge entry.

Download the Freebie!

Get the editable PowerPoint file by clicking here: https://tracycarroll.net/165%20elh%20font%20icon%20challenge.zip

Authoring Tools for this demo: PowerPoint 2016, Articulate Storyline 360