Tips for Building Scenarios

[DavidAnderson]

I wanted to start a thread for scenario resources. Going through Tom's blog and the Word of Mouth blogs I found a lot of great resources. I'm consolidating those here but please feel free to share your own favorites!

Blog Articles:

• Build Branched E-Learning Scenarios in Three Simple Steps The Rapid eLearning Blog
  
• How I Built that E-Learning Scenario The Rapid eLearning Blog
  
• How to Add Scenarios to Your Rapid E-Learning Courses…Rapidly! The Rapid eLearning Blog
  
• 7 Tips for Better E-Learning Scenarios The Rapid eLearning Blog
  
• Here’s How to Build Your Next E-Learning Scenario The Rapid eLearning Blog
  
• How to Create a Visual Design for Your E-Learning Scenario The Rapid eLearning Blog
  
• 3 Simple Steps to Create Background Images for Your Next E-Learning Scenario The Rapid eLearning Blog
  
• Create E-Learning Scenarios By Bringing the Virtual World into the Real World The Rapid eLearning Blog
  
• Create Custom Characters for Your E-Learning Scenarios The Rapid eLearning Blog
  
• How I Use Inexpensive Stock Photos to Create E-Learning Characters The Rapid eLearning Blog
  
• Build Interactive Scenarios in Presenter ’09 - Articulate – Word of Mouth Blog
  
• The Secret to Building Decision-Making Branches Using PowerPoint - Articulate – Word of Mouth Blog

Screencasts:

• Free rapid elearning scenario template based on "Where Should I Eat" http://is.gd/59bGU @EatingTheRoad
  
• How to create a rapid audio elearning template. Source file available: http://is.gd/6ESvH
  
• Hands-On: Creating Branching Scenarios
  
• Forum thread: Free Branching Scenario - Where Should I Eat?
  
• Interactive, animated scenarios using motion paths in PowerPoint 2007.
  
• How to create simple, interactive scenarios for rapid elearning #PowerPoint #Articulate

Mindmaps are also another way to brainstorm scenarios. We have a thread, screencast and template on one possible use for mindmaps and elearning design: Mindmaps for Visual Analysis

[aw2008]

Helly, David. Thanks for posting these wonderful tutoirals. I have a question regarding custom cursors. I am working on a scenario where I would like to create a custom arrow cursor which would prompt the viewer to visit certain parts of the screen. So far, I haven't been able to figure out how I could create this effect. An example of what I am talking about can be viewed at this web link.
w/ custom e-learning solutions :: e-learning NOT as usual
(Click on the "Launch Experience" button to view the custom arrow cursor.)
Thanks for your assistance.
~Annette

[DavidAnderson]

Hi Annette - Welcome to the forums

I've seen that demo and it's a great example of blending virtual spaces with 2d courseware.

In fact I started putting a mock demo together a while ago on how a similar model could be used in our tools.

Second Life Test

Note there isn't a way to simulate cursor changes right now (Feature Request: Articulate Support - Request a Feature) but considering the how easy it is to use basic hyperlinks in PowerPoint, the tradeoff is you can create something quickly without any programming background.

The arrows I'm using are too bold for what I'd ultimately go with. I like how your example uses subtle, faded navigation icons. I did leverage Second Life's map metaphor in top right corner to simulate direction and learner position.

This is simple demo but you could easily make each "destination" it's own mini module and use the faux 3D approach as a transition and establishing effect.

Let me know what you think. I'd be happy to share the files with you if you thought they'd help. I think I'm going to need to return to this project now:-)

David

[aw2008]

This is so exciting, David. I have also been looking at Second Life set-ups for inspiration. Articulate has the BEST group of gurus, and I'm happy that I selected Articulate as my course authoring software! I would love to view your files for your Second Life demo. I also found it interesting how you used Engage's timeline feature.

I have sent in the Feature Request for the custom cursor feature. I like how W Slash uses the subtle white arrow. W Slash is using CodeBaby avatars, but the price for the software is ridiculously high ($5,000 to purchase it and $900 recurring yearly licensing fee.) I've been experimenting with other softwares - Adventure Maker and Daz 3D Studio.

I still have sooooo much to learn, but you guys really make learning fun and EASY with the great tutorials and EXCELLENT customer care.

Best regards,

Annette

[DavidAnderson]

Thank you so much for that feedback. I started that demo a while ago and never fully flushed it out. I'll definitely get it back in the queue:-)

I like Second Life for the reason they don't impose any limits on image or graphics usage. I can use screenshots from any content I create or own in SL.

We had a thread a little while ago on avatars: Using Avatars in elearning

Thank you again and we're glad to have you in the community!

David

[islabucasgrande]

I've been browsing over on the discussions posted here and they're indeed loaded with tons of information. I am planning to make a new graphic template using Powerpoint, does anyone here have information on how am I going to effectively make it? Thanks

[DavidAnderson]

Hi and welcome to the forums!

What do you mean by graphic template in PowerPoint? Are you asking about customizing the Slide Master?

David

[islabucasgrande]

I actually want to build a website template and start building the same using some sort of replica from powerpoint, that way I will be guided on where to go from time to time. Do you have information about it?

[DavidAnderson]

Did you see Stephanie's example of building a Flash web site from PowerPoint & Presenter? Twitter / Stephanie Harnett: Sample of a flash website ...

The key is using hyperlinks to link to slides and hiding the player controls and presenting in "slide only" mode.

It's a neat way of looking at the tools and helps you to think about projects in non-linear ways.

[islabucasgrande]

Thanks David. I'll hope it would not be difficult enough for me as I don't have much idea yet on how to do it.