This is the 10th post in the Articulate 101 series. It was written by Articulate VP of Community Tom Kuhlmann.

Obviously, the power of Articulate Presenter is being able to quickly convert PowerPoint content into Flash. However, Presenter is much more than that. The secret is to think outside of the PowerPoint slide and play around with other ways to bring content into your course.

For example, Presenter lets you insert Web Objects. I think this is one of the most underutilized features that Presenter offers. In fact, with some creativity, you can make your elearning courses more than just PowerPoint to Flash conversions.

Learn to Insert Web Objects

Here’s a quick tutorial on inserting Web Objects. I show you how to insert web objects that open in a new browser window and inside the slide. I also show you how to insert custom-built web pages that are on your hard drive.

When using Web Objects, there are a few things to consider:

• The learner has to have access to the site you insert. Don’t insert a site that your firewall will block or that requires special access.
• Be careful that the learners don’t wander from your course. Providing a link that takes them away from the course content might mean they stay away.
• Play with the web technology. What’s really intriguing today is the ability to create website mash-ups where you can combine data from multiple sites.

Leverage Your Use of Web Objects

Here’s an example of some different uses of the Web Object.

Here are a couple of ideas submitted by one our super users, Flavio Fusuma. He’s got a lot of cool ideas.

The first demo is a mash-up of Google Maps and YouTube. I can see something like this working for a school project. It’s also a way that a corporation could highlight information based on its various locations around the world.

Can’t see the video? Just click and drag the map and position the video on screen.

The next idea is more about concept than practicality. Flavio took some iPhone web apps and built those into the slide. On one of the slides he included Facebook. You could probably use something like that to connect users who go through the same course.

I’d be interested to know of any mash-up ideas or other ways you can use the Web Object feature.

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