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ChatGPT as SME, Part 1

Policewoman hugs a little girl.

Creating a Video Script with ChatGPT

Cool Tool: I used Artificial Intelligence (AI), in the form of ChatGPT, to create the video script for the short promo video above. This blog post is a response to Articulate eLearning Challenge #416: Using AI to Build Online Training. It’s Part 1 in a short series about AI tools.

ChatGPT is a chatbot that creates AI-generated content. It can create an answer or response to whatever prompt you give it. I decided to see if I could get ChatGPT to generate a coherent short script for a promotional video for police who want to upgrade their skills to become detectives.

I chose the topic because I know virtually nothing about police or detective work, and I wanted to see if ChatGPT could act as my Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the subject.

The assignment I gave myself was to create a prompt that would cause ChatGPT to write me a short script to promote a course offering police a pathway to becoming a detective. Just about the only thing I know about detective work is that they create a Murder Book to store evidence on homicide cases, so I used that in my prompt.

The prompt: Act as a marketer. You will write me a video script to promote an upcoming webinar. Make it educational with a professional tone. My requested target audience: Police who want to become detectives. Webinar topic: Murder Book Essentials.

Policewoman hugs a little girl.

In the video, answer the following questions:

  • Why keep a Murder Book?
  • What information goes into a Murder Book?

In less than a minute, ChatGPT produced the following script for the Murder Book Essentials promo:

Opening shot of a police badge with the words “Murder Book” written over it.

Narrator: “Being a police officer is a challenging and rewarding career, but have you ever considered taking the next step and becoming a detective? One crucial aspect of being a detective is keeping a thorough and organized Murder Book.”

Cut to animation of a detective writing in a notebook.

Narrator: “A Murder Book is a collection of all the evidence and information related to a murder case. It’s the foundation of any investigation and is used to keep track of leads, suspects, and the progress of the case.”

Cut to animation of a detective flipping through pages of a notebook, highlighting different sections such as “suspects,” “witnesses,” and “forensic evidence.”

Narrator: “A well-maintained Murder Book can mean the difference between solving a case, and it going cold. It’s a vital tool for detectives to use, in order to keep a clear overview of the investigation, and to ensure that no detail is missed.”

Cut to animation of a detective holding up a completed Murder Book with the words “Case Closed” written on the cover.

Narrator: “Join our upcoming webinar, ‘Murder Book Essentials,’ and learn from experienced detectives how to organize and maintain a Murder Book that will help you to become a successful detective. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best and take your detective career to the next level.”

Closing shot of the police badge with the webinar information and registration link overlaid.

Narrator: “Register now and take the first step towards your detective career.”

Evidence of a crime

My Assessment

I think ChatGPT did a very good job of producing a short video script, based on my prompt. I was surprised to see that it gave me tips for visuals to go along with the script!

Unfortunately, focusing on the murder book in my prompt has narrowed the course. Without a human SME, I didn’t catch this error. The course was supposed to be about police who want to upgrade their general skills to become detectives, not just about murder books, specifically.

Ultimately I didn’t follow the specific visual suggestions offered by ChatGPT, because it was faster to use whatever came to mind as I was creating the video in Canva, rather than hunt for specific images and graphics. I used a Murf.ai text-to-speech voice as a quick alternative to human narration, which would be my preference for a finished product.

Although of course I wouldn’t actually rely on ChatGPT as a SME, I was impressed at how quickly it came up with a usable script. I can see using the tool as a way to produce first drafts of documents and scripts, and to spark creativity.

Authoring Tools:

  • ChatGPT
  • Canva
  • Camtasia
  • Murf.ai text-to-speech voices

In Part 2, I ask ChatGPT to create a course outline with learning objectives for this course.

Articulate Challenge: TikTok Style Videos

Articulate’s eLearning Challenge #400 is Using TikTok-Style Videos in Online Corporate Training.

My demo is the fictional ACME Corporation’s FAQs site. It’s a menu template featuring three short Tiktok-style videos, giving answers to some of their FAQs about working from home, signing up for healthcare, and who to call when you need help. It’s best viewed on a desktop or laptop.

Authoring Tools:

  • CreateStudioPro
  • Canva
  • Camtasia
  • Articulate Storyline

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

Science Fiction Generator

Click the image above to give the Science Fiction Generator a spin! You can personalize your sci fi story by choosing the locations, characters, and actions. The sci fi generator is my entry for Articulate’s Scrolling Panels in E-Learning Challenge #387.

Instructions

To use the generator, simply click each button as many times as you need to choose your desired components: characters, locations, and actions. Clicking the buttons will generate random words or phrases for each category.

Then, click NEXT to view your customized science fiction story. Want to make changes? Click BACK to go back to change the components, then advance the slide again to see how your fairytale has changed.

Choose Your Villain!

JavaScript

The generator uses JavaScript with Storyline variables to generate the random words. In the example below, the button associated with the Storyline variable “character2” will generate random villains (the Rabbit, Jabez, Bright Eyes, Gorgoneau) when clicked.

Authoring Tools:

  • Articulate Storyline 360
  • CreateStudioPro animation
  • Camtasia video editor

Organize the Animals

Accessing Prior Knowledge

In this eLearning demo, Organize the Animals with Carolus Linnaeus, the learner can customize their own learning experience based on their prior knowledge of the subject. Answer correctly, and you have the choice to skip ahead without having to view the “Learn More” lesson. Or, you can learn more just for fun! Answer incorrectly, and the Learn More lesson becomes mandatory.

This short demo is a submission to E-Learning Heroes Challenge #382: Using Pre-Test Activities to Tailor Content in E-Learning.

Authoring tools

  • Plotagon animation
  • Camtasia video editing
  • Murf text-to-speech voiceover
  • Storyline 360

Become a Space Cadet!

Click the image above to view the Articulate Rise demo.

Become a Space Cadet was submitted to Articulate’s eLearning Drag-and-Drop Challenge #380.

Authoring Tools

  • Articulate Rise 360 – I used the new Rise Horizon theme for this demo
  • Articulate Storyline 360 – the Solar System drag-and-drop interaction was created in Storyline
  • Powtoon – the two videos in this demo were created in Powtoon, and edited in Camtasia

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.

Work from Home Tips

Check out the demo by clicking the image above!

If you’re working from home, do you feel like you’re losing the right work/life balance? Here are 4 tips to help!

4 Tips for Working from Home is an Articulate Storyline interaction I created as a response to Articulate’s eLearning Heroes Challenge #374, Zooming and Magnifying Parts of an Image in eLearning.

Users select each employee to enlarge each image into a full-size video, where the employee explains their work-from-home tip.

Custom Closed Captions Settings

In this demo, I decided to have the closed captions on by default. I accomplished this by using a trigger on the Storyline master slide:

When the timeline starts on this slide
– Set Player.DisplayCaptions to value True

The user can click the cc button to turn off the captions, if they desire. I also decided to increase the size of the cc text, by using a setting on the Storyline player, in the Colors & Effects section. You can increase the size of the captions font by adjusting the percentage in the player. In this case, I chose 160%. Finally, I designed the Vyond video to leave about an inch of blank space at the bottom, to make room for the cc to display without blocking the view of the bottom of the video.

Cool Tool: I used Vyond animation software to create the videos for this demo.

I frequently use animation in the eLearning modules I design. It’s a great way to capture and maintain audience engagement! Authoring tools for this demo:

  • Vyond
  • Camtasia
  • Articulate Storyline 360
  • Murf text-to-speech voices

Use Disinfectants Safely

Check out the demo by clicking the image above!

Should we be aiming for a germ-free existence? How zealous should we be when using common disinfectants around the house?

Use Disinfectants Safely answers some FAQs about what to do if someone who is positive for COVID-19 has been in your home within the last 24 hours.

I created this interactive infographic as a response to Articulate’s eLearning Heroes Challenge #367,  about using hints to guide and challenge learners. The hints in this presentation are provided by hyperlinks that lead to short animated videos.

I used several authoring tools to create this presentation:

  • Canva
  • Powtoon
  • Camtasia
  • Storyline 360

To create this demo, I started out with a Canva infographic, then changed the color scheme and typography, and swapped out the icons using the Storyline Content Library. This is my favorite way of using Canva. It has so many assets that you can start out with one thing but end up with something completely different.

I used Powtoon to create the animated video hints, and customized the colors to go with the infographic presentation.

Ice Core Timeline

Check out the demo by clicking the image above!

Articulate eLearning Heroes Challenge #369 was about using interactive timelines in eLearning design. I created an Ice Core Timeline video and interaction, about the fact that scientists are collecting and using ice cores to learn about the ways the earth’s climate has changed through the years.

I used several authoring tools to create this presentation:

  • Powtoon
  • Camtasia
  • Storyline 360

Home Computing Quiz

Check out the demo by clicking the image above!

Articulate eLearning Heroes Challenge #365 was about using video in quizzes and scenarios. I decided to create a video quiz about the rise of home computing in the 1970s and beyond.

I used several authoring tools to create this presentation:

  • Canva
  • Powtoon
  • Camtasia
  • Storyline 360

To find vintage 1970s images, I used Canva, an easy-to-use graphic design platform. Canva can be integrated with Powtoon, an application I frequently use to create videos.

After uploading my chosen images from Canva to Powtoon, I created a video by adding text, speech bubbles, slide transitions, animated shapes, and background music. I downloaded that video to edit it using Camtasia.

In Camtasia, I cut the video into several shorter videos, to be used to introduce the quiz questions in Articulate Storyline 360.

I exported the entire music track to be used on the base layer of Storyline, because that application doesn’t allow music to play continuously over several separate slides. Each video and quiz question in this presentation exists on a separate layer of a single Storyline slide.

Vinegar Valentines

Check out the rude, crude ‘Vinegar Valentines’ of the Victorian Era by clicking the image above!

What’s a Vinegar Valentine?! is my submission to Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #359Design an E-Learning Template or Interaction for Valentine’s Day.

In the 1840s, brash Americans invented a novel way to let potential suitors know they were barking up the wrong tea.

The solution? Send them the ultimate insult: the Vinegar Valentine, complete with a caricature, and an obnoxious saying!

Authoring Tools:

Powtoon, Camtasia, Storyline 360

Click-and-Reveal Portfolio Tips

Check out the demo by clicking the image above!

eLearning Portfolio Tips is my submission to Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #349: Using Click-And-Reveals to Show More Info in eLearning.

Ned Newbie is a former teacher who is seeking a career change. He wants to be a freelance instructional designer who can work remotely.

This has been happening a lot lately, as more people have been changing careers for a variety of reasons, including the COVID 19 pandemic.

He’ll need an eLearning Portfolio, so he’s seeking some feedback on his first try at developing an online presence.

This demo features click-to-reveal interactions, and a Resources tab filled with eLearning Portfolio tips from highly regarded instructional designers and eLearning developers.

Authoring Tools:

Powtoon, Camtasia, Storyline 360

Vyond Demo Reel

I frequently use animation in the eLearning modules I design. It’s a great way to capture and maintain audience engagement!

Vyond was the first animation program I used, back when it was called GoAnimate. I found Vyond very easy to learn, and it allowed me to quickly develop professional animated videos for my clients.

Click on the video below to see the Vyond Demo Reel.

Authoring Tools

  • Vyond animation
  • Camtasia video editing

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

Meet Bei Bei

This demo is a response to Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #346 – Using Anthropomorphic Characters in E-LearningAnthropomorphism means attributing human characteristics to animals and non-living objects. Using animals as characters can make the subject matter–in this case, the declining population of wild pandas–seem more friendly.

Click the image below to meet Bei Bei, and experience A Day in the Life of a Giant Panda.

Authoring Tools:

Powtoon animation, Canva images, Camtasia video editing, & Articulate Storyline 360

Audio Soundboard

Domestic Violence Statistics in the USA

This demo is my Interactive Audio Soundboard for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #317. Click the image below to view the demo.

Powtoon Animation

The introductory animation was created in Powtoon, and edited in Camtasia. The voice-over was done by Joanna, one of Storyline 360’s text-to-speech voices. I find that using text-to-speech voice-overs in eLearning demos is a real time-saver when creating interactive eLearning examples for clients–but nothing beats professional voice-over for the finished product, of course.

Storyline Lightboxes

The learner can click on any statistic in the soundboard, and a lightbox with more information will pop up.

Authoring Tools: Storyline 360, Camtasia, Powtoon

Word Search

Coronavirus Word Search Puzzle

Coronavirus Word Search Puzzle is my eLearning lightbox demo for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #316.

Click the image below to play the online eLearning game.

Lightbox Slide for Optional Information

Like many other eLearning developers, I frequently use lightboxes to allow learners to access optional information, as they see fit. In this case, the Instructions button leads to a short video describing how to play the game.

Game Mechanics & Free Download!

To create the game mechanics, I am indebted to Paul Alders, who shared a free word search interaction demo and Storyline download in the Articulate community website. Select the image below to view Paul’s demo, and download the file he shared.

Customizing the Interaction

The first step I took to customize the interaction above was to enlarge the puzzle–I’ve had poor eyesight all my life, and that’s generally the first step I take customizing any eLearning template! I also changed the color scheme/background and added a Powtoon character.

Next, I decided to use sentences as hints for the terms in the puzzle, rather than giving the learner the terms outright. Finally, I created the lightbox slide with a short video to explain how to play the game.

Authoring Tools: Storyline 360, Camtasia, Powtoon

T. Rex to Tweety Bird

Using Interactive Timelines to Present Sequenced Information in E-Learning

Timeline: From T. Rex to Tweety Bird is my interactive timeline demo for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #315.

Click the image below to view the online demo.

Combining Animated Video with Storyline Layers

The base layer of this Storyline 360 presentation is an animated video I created with Powtoon, which includes background music. I wanted the background music to play across the entire presentation, but Storyline does not support playing music across several slides. So, I added the timeline links I created with Storyline to the end of the video. The timeline links lead to the various slide layers with dinosaur information.

This way, entire presentation is kept on a single Storyline slide, so that the background music can play without interruption.

Authoring Tools: Powtoon, Camtasia, 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

Passenger Safety Card

Health and Safety at Desert Air is my demo for Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #309: Creating Interactive Passenger Safety Cards. Click the image below to view the online demo.

Powtoon

I created the animated cartoons with Powtoon, and edited the videos with Camtasia. Storyline 360 was used to add the interactive aspects of this eLearning sample. Powtoon published an excellent review of this eLearning demo on their YouTube channel:

Authoring Tools: Powtoon, Camtasia, Storyline 360

Clinical Trials

Articulate’s eLearning Heroes Challenge #307 is about building the most common e-learning interactions. I decided to create a tabs navigation interaction about clinical trials.

Before a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 could be released to the public, it had to successfully go through randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trials. Select each term in the tabs interaction demo to learn more about why such trials are referred to as the “gold standard” of clinical trials.

Click the image below to view the demo.

Authoring Tools

To create this presentation, I used Powtoon to create the intro video, and Camtasia to edit the video. Articulate Storyline 360 was used to create the tabs interaction.

Immunity Game

Articulate E-Learning Challenge: Use Animation in E-Learning #201

Click the image below to view  my short eLearning Game Demo for Mobile Devices: Can You Get Immunity?

I created this demo specifically to be viewed on phones, by altering the default slide size and orientation in Articulate Storyline 360. The game features videos created with Plotagon animation, edited with Camtasia.

Authoring tools for this presentation: Storyline 360, Plotagon, Camtasia

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

Your Brain on Soccer

Click the image below for the demo.

Powtoon Animation

Soccer Training, Drills, and Examples in E-Learning is Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #241. My example is a short public service announcement video that highlights the danger of brain injury from excessive head trauma. I created the video using Powtoon animation, and included an interactive hotspot (a hyperlink to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) by editing the video in Camtasia.

Authoring Tools: Powtoon, Camtasia

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

 

Aussie Bushfires

Animation doesn’t have to be reserved for humorous topics! In Breaking News – Aussie Bushfires, I’ve used Plotagon 3D animation to portray a serious dialogue between a news anchor and reporter, about the recent devastating Australian wildfires. At the end of the presentation, there are links to several reputable charitable organizations, should you want to lend a hand.

This video is my second submission to Articulate E-Learning Heroes Challenge #233: Showing Dialogue and Conversations in E-Learning.

Click the image below to view the informational demo.

Authoring Tools

To create this presentation, I used Plotagon Animation, Camtasia, and Articulate Storyline 360.

 

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.

Jet Lag

5 Facts About Jet Lag is my submission to Using Dials to Design Interactive Infographics, Articulate’s E-Learning Challenge #261. Click the image below to view the demo.

Powtoon

I created the videos in this online infographic using Powtoon animation. I used Camtasia to edit the videos–primarily to separate the 5 Facts video into five short lightbox segments, accessed by using the Storyline 360 dial feature.

Authoring Tools: Powtoon, Camtasia, Storyline 360.

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

Meet the Team

Meet the team at Generica, a warm and inviting workplace! Click the image below for the demo.

The presentation is my response to Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #244: Meet the Team and Interactive Org Charts in E-Learning (2019).

Creating the Video with PowToon

I created this animated demo using PowToon, then edited the video in Camtasia.

Interactivity

To add some interactivity to the presentation, I imported the video into Storyline 360, and included a couple of interaction slides and feedback.

Authoring Tools: PowToon, Camtasia, Storyline 360

Food Safety in the Wild

Click the image below for the demo.

Food Safety in the Wild is my response to Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #242: Use Audio, Music, and Sound Effects in E-Learning.

Plotagon Animation

My example is a short public service announcement video that highlights the potential dangers of handling and cooking food while camping. I created the video using Plotagon animation, and added ambient noise using the application (crickets, birds, wolf howling, etc.) The character’s voice was added using Plotagon’s text-to-speech option. For this video, a chose a Southern accent for my character.

I edited the video in Camtasia, to add additional graphics. Finally, I housed the video in Storyline 360, to add a hyperlink to view or download a pamphlet from the US Food and Drug administration on handling food safely in an outdoor environment.

Authoring Tools: Plotagon, Camtasia, 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.

Medline

Articulate’s E-Learning Challenge #233 is to show how dialogue can be shown in e-learning courses. I chose to demonstrate an animated conversation between two characters on a televised medical show called MEDLINE.

Click the image below to watch the MEDLINE demo and learn about the recent measles outbreak!

Interactivity

To add interactivity to the Plotagon animated video, I used a Storyline 360 quiz slide to assess user knowledge.

All of the information in the demo comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I used a Storyline marker to provide a link for more information.

Authoring Tools: Plotagon animation, Storyline 360, Camtasia for video editing

What do you Hear?

How many musical instruments can you identify accurately, by listening to the sounds they make? Play What do you Hear? to find out!

Click the image above to view the eLearning game demo.

This Storyline eLearning game demo is a response to Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge #231: Interactive Audio. The challenge is to share an eLearning example that demonstrates how eLearning can be used to help students learn about music.

Gamification

I created the What do you Hear? game using Articulate Storyline 360, and Plotagon Animation software. To increase learner engagement, the game is personalized throughout with the learner’s name, by employing a Storyline UserName variable.

Authoring Tools

Plotagon Animation, Camtasia 2018 for video editing, Storyline 360

Map Reading with Magellan

Learn the lost art of map-reading, with world explorer Ferdinand Magellan! Click the image below to view the demo.

This Storyline demo is a response to the Articulate’s E-Learning Heroes Challenge: Reviving the Lost Arts with E-Learning. Articulate defines the “lost arts” as the basic life skills for self-sufficient living that have been forgotten or replaced by modern technology.

Animation & Personalization

I used Plotagon Animation software to create the Ferdinand Magellan character. The demo is personalized throughout with the user’s name, by employing a Storyline UserName variable.

In this way, the learner is incorporated into the scenario-based adventure, to increase their engagement in the story.

Authoring Tools

Plotagon Animation, Camtasia 2018 for video editing, Storyline 360

Name that Color!

This eLearning game demo is a response to Articulate E-Learning Challenge #214: Using the 2019 Pantone Color of the Year. I designed the game with a vertical interface in Storyline 360, to be played either on your phone, or your computer.

Plotagon Animation

I used Plotagon’s animation application to create the animated segments, and edited them using Camtasia’s video-editing software.

To view the eLearning game demo, click the image below.

Authoring tools for this presentation: Storyline 360, Plotagon, Camtasia

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

Who Said That?

Who Said That?! is my submission to Articulate’s Using Badges, Awards, and Achievements in E-Learning Courses Challenge #197.

Gamification

This demo is a short American history e-learning game, where the learner must correctly identify the quotes of four famous figures in American history. Answering all four questions correctly will earn the learner the coveted Simply the Best badge!

Animation & Video Editing Tools

The animated videos in the demo were created with the Plotagon animation application, then edited with Camtasia video editing software. I imported the short videos into Articulate Storyline 360 to complete the quiz.

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.