Testing UTM Codes

Hi there!

The sole purpose of this post is to generate some UTM code data on my Google Analytics site for a course I'm making on that same thing... Anyway.  Thanks for clicking the link that brought you here.

Storyboarding for Video – The Video Script

This week's tip is the next in our series on creating storyboards and the first of two tips on storyboarding for video - one on scripting and one on visual storyboarding. This week we're talking about scripting.

What exactly is a video script? 

Simply put, a video script is a written document that describes the writer's idea for the video- what they want to SEE and HEAR on the screen.

Storyboarding your Training Content

What is a storyboard? Basically, a storyboard is a visual guide to a piece of media. Filmmakers use it to lay out scenes, animators use it to organize sequences and instructional designers use it to map out courses, videos and interactive training content before they start building it. With that definition in mind, let's talk about what a storyboard is in the world of Instructional Design and eLearning. In the Instructional Design process I use, the term storyboard is a catchall term including the pre-development that occurs after outlining our content. I call anything I use to make my rough draft a storyboard - whether it's a script, a template or a conventional storyboard.

Taking “Fixed Region” Screen Captures in SnagIt

I don't know about you, but I can be very picky about the look of images I use in my courses, storyboards and job aids. I want them to be the same size and this often means I spend a lot of time editing them in whatever program I'm creating my final project in - resizing, cropping, etc.

Recently, I discovered (and by "discovered" I mean googled…) that SnagIt has a great feature that solves this!

Writing Effective Scenario Questions

The goal of training is often to change behavior and improve performance, but this can be hard to accomplish when the learner is tested on recall and understanding. Effective scenarios give learners the chance to apply the information they're learning, engaging them in the content and showing them why the training matters.

Types of Scenarios

Not all scenarios are the same. Depending on your goal or objective, a different type of scenario may be chosen:

• Simulation: performance of a process or use of product is simulated; learner may have the option to interact.
• Observed Story: A complete, linear scenario. May have questions interrupting the flow or at the end.
• Choose your own Adventure: A branching scenario. Learner makes decisions throughout the scenario and is provided feedback and different results based on the choice.
• Assessment: short, complete scenarios where the learner must choose the correct solution.

Finding Inspiration

I don't know about where you are, but here in Cleveland summer is in full swing - it's hot and humid, the sun is shining more than it's not and my poor nose has a bit of a sunburn! Summer is the time of year I feel most inspired to create and I've been thinking a lot about inspiration this week. I'd like to share with you some sites I visit regularly to help spark my e-learning creativity - whether it's for visual or instructional design!

Copying and Pasting Text from PowerPoint to Lectora

Do you use PowerPoint to storyboard your eLearning courses? I do. When I use Storyline, it makes sense because I can import the PowerPoint and retain all of my hard work!

When I use Lectora, I actually have a storyboard template that has my Lectora course background and pre-built pages from the course template I use. This gives me a good idea of the space I have to work with in Lectora and I can just copy and paste my text from PowerPoint!

Writing Learner-Focused Course Goals and Objectives

Below is a course goal written in two different ways. Which one makes you want to take the course described?

a. Understand how to drive a car.
b. Drive a car.

Did you choose Objective B? I did - I want to actually be able to DO what I'm learning about!

And… ACTION!

It's great to understand, know, define, explain and describe things… but how often is that what our learners have to do with the things they learn from us? I'm going to go out on a limb and say almost never. Our learners are DOING - they're consulting, they're brainstorming, they're brainstorming, they're advising, they're creating, they're prospecting - and while they do these things they're using information they've learned, but most likely they aren't giving their customers definitions or memorized statistics.

At least, we hope not, right? Right.

Transferring Video and Photos from your iPhone to your PC

If your company is anything like mine, you were issued a Windows laptop and an iPhone when you started... An iPhone that can take high resolution photos and high quality HD video making it the perfect tool for taking on-the-go photos and videos to add to your elearning.
But how do you get the photos and videos from your phone to your PC? You could email it to yourself, but the downside of taking such high res photos and HD video is the file size.
It can take forever to email something to yourself and what if you took 30 pictures? That could take at least a couple hours. There's a much faster solution! All you need is your computer, your iPhone and your iPhone charging cable.

2012 Wrap Up

At the start of this year, I had high hopes for a 2012 full of innovation and creation. At the end of this year, I’m looking back with a bit of a sigh. Innovation and creation are slow coming, but we haven’t stopped trying.

The Benefit of Good On-Screen Talent

I just wrapped production on a video about selling skills. We didn't have a lot of time for production and I was nervous that we wouldn't get everything done in time… but we did. You know why? Not because my script was incredible or because I’m a brilliant director [even though it totally was and I completely am! :)]. It was because the talent we had on set was amazing. I've worked with all sorts of actors before- good, bad, amazing and terrible. Nothing is better than being on set with a good actor who is interested in the project, prepared and ready to go.

Webinar Scripting

Do you use a script for your webinars? If not, you should! Far too often webinars are bogged down with “umms” and “wells” and awkward pauses while you or your presenters take time to gather your thoughts. Using a script gives you the chance to gather your thoughts BEFORE you’re on the air. This leaves your audience with the best impression of you possible.

Software Review: Articulate's Storyline

I’ve used a lot of different elearning software, all the basics- Trivantis Lectora, Articulate Presenter, Adobe Captivate. Each one of these has strengths that make it a leader in the industry. I’ve enjoyed working in Lectora and Articulate’s Presenter suite a lot over the years.

Despite that, there’s no arguing that Captivate has bugs, Lectora has a big learning curve and Presenter just isn’t powerful enough sometimes for what you want to do… Well, the gang at Articulate sure listened to those concerns. They created a new software platform that has the screen capture and recording of Captivate, the power of Lectora’s variables and the simplicity of Presenter’s PowerPoint integration all wrapped in to one program. Sound too good to be true? I thought so, too- until I tried Storyline. Let’s look at how it compares to the three software programs I mentioned.

Help Stop SOPA and PIPA!

We're going to take a break today from our normal subject and talk about something really important- stopping internet censorship.  You may have noticed something a little different at some of your favorite websites (check out Google, Wikipedia, Reddit, this website!).

Engaging and Entertaining your Learners

Our company recently reorganized. My department went from supporting one specific group of users, to a much broader group. One of the new groups I work with are the agents at our call centers. As anyone who as ever worked in a call center knows, this is a tough job. Generally speaking, customers don’t call a company (or a help desk) when things are going well. So you spend your work week fielding concerns, issues, instruct opportunities and the occasional venting via scream. I can tell you right now, I’m not sure I’d last a week. But the people in our call center? They’re wonderful- Funny and nice and excited and generally interested in the company, the product and the tools available to them.

Where are You Going in 2012?

Happy New Year and welcome to Learntastic! If you’d like to know about the author, click the Megtastic tab at the top of the screen. A few things you should know before you get started, sometimes we make up our own words, concepts or sayings here at Learntastic. If we ever make you go “What?” click the Wordtastic tab at the top of the screen for a definition. We’ll try to link you there when necessary. Alright, let’s get started!