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E-Learning Challenges
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Share Your E-Learning Storyboard Templates #251

DavidAnderson's avatar
DavidAnderson
Staff
6 years ago

E-Learning Storyboard Examples #251: Challenge | Recap

Whether you prefer scripts, blueprints, or rapid prototypes, chances are you’re using some type of storyboard to plan and organize your e-learning projects. In most cases, successful projects depend on the designer’s use of a storyboard.

Storyboards are also one of the most popular discussions in our forums. New designers ask to see examples, download templates, and learn more about workflows and using storyboards. Experienced designers share their favorite tools and tips while debating the use of storyboards and prototypes.

Regardless of your experience, storyboards are a critical element in the course design process. And that’s what this week’s challenge is all about!

Challenge of the week

This week your challenge is to share an example of your preferred e-learning storyboard, blueprint, or scripting template. We want to see what you use and learn how you use it!

Share your storyboard templates

Do you have a storyboard template you’d like to share with the community? Great! Share your template in the comments and we’ll feature it in our downloads gallery.

Questions to answer

Whether you share a template this week or just want to join the discussion, I’d love to get your feedback on one or more of following questions:

  • How do you define scripting, storyboarding, and prototyping? Which method do you prefer?
  • Do you use different types of storyboards? When do you use each?
  • How do you storyboard interactivity?
  • What are your top three storyboard tips for new course creators?

Last Week’s Challenge:

Before you storyboard your challenge demo, check out the creative ways course designers are combining text and images in e-learning courses:

Combining Text and Images in E-Learning Design #250: Challenge | Recap

Wishing you a great week, E-Learning Heroes!

New to the E-Learning Challenges?

The weekly e-learning challenges are ongoing opportunities to learn, share, and build your e-learning portfolios. You can jump into any or all of the previous challenges anytime you want. I’ll update the recap posts to include your demos.

Published 6 years ago
Version 1.0
E-Learning Challenge
Storyboarding
  • TracyCarroll's avatar
    TracyCarroll
    Community Member
    6 years ago
    Ah, no example or download from me this week! I don't use storyboards--I've never figured out how to use them in a way that is helpful for me. Describing interactions and/or animations I want to take place takes longer than just doing them. Copying and pasting from a Word doc into Storyline drives me nuts. Even importing a PowerPoint into Storyline can turn out to be problematic.

    I start with a blank Storyline template, and go on developing my prototype (or first draft ) from there. Unless a client requires me to use a specific storyboard document. In that case, I generally end up reverse-engineering the project in order to comply. :)
    • JackieVanNice's avatar
      JackieVanNice
      Super Hero
      6 years ago
      Me too, Tracy! I do have a downloadable storyboard template on my site, but have only used it on the rarest of occasions.

      I use prototypes to do the heavy lifting.
    • RebeccaPatte460's avatar
      RebeccaPatte460
      Community Member
      6 years ago
      Being a newbie, this makes me feel better! I tend to just take what my project owner has and start designing. I send Review 360 links along the way so things can be seen and changed if needed, but I'm like you. I have seen the benefits of following a storyboard from a project owner, but designing one on my way seems to be more time consuming than just jumping in and getting to work.
      • SteveMorey-1c99's avatar
        SteveMorey-1c99
        Community Member
        6 years ago
        So pleased to see people saying this. I've always struggled to sit and describe the interactions when I could just build them.
        Unless I'm making video/amiation then I have a storyboard. But even then I'm happier with pen and the paper stolen out of the photocopier.
    • TraceSymonds's avatar
      TraceSymonds
      Community Member
      6 years ago
      I am right here with you. I get frustrated when people ask me for storyboards in Word, PPT, etc., because like you, I can build the slides faster in Storyline and then just use a review tool to show it to them. I'm only making changes in one system.

      I use outlines more than storyboards and that works best for me. I'm so happy to read your post - I really thought I was the only one!
  • JodiSansone's avatar
    JodiSansone
    Community Member
    6 years ago
    Jodi's Planning Template
    Download: https://bit.ly/2mqVzmJ

    If you're following the thread, you'll see that I really like Jackie's template and used it recently with a new client. So to add to the conversation, I created a template that demonstrates what I consider when I am thinking about an individual slide and how I will set it up.

    Before this stage I always develop a creative brief (objectives, audience essentials, tone, style requirements like fonts and colors, graphic libraries) and then I always have a high level outline or structure that looks like a story flow. But this template articulates what I would think about for individual slides and what choices or decisions I would be making.

    Hope it helps! My best advice would be to start with Jackie's template. :)
    • JackieVanNice's avatar
      JackieVanNice
      Super Hero
      6 years ago
      I like it, Jodi! I knew you'd come up with something; though I honestly didn't expect the inclusion of dogs and cats. (How does she do it??)

      I especially like columns 2 and 3 for the critical content and visuals. I can't imagine a more succinct summary of available options. It's a really useful cheat sheet!
      • JodiSansone's avatar
        JodiSansone
        Community Member
        6 years ago
        I wish I could share how I used your template this summer with my new client--regulatory compliance for a hedge fund. They were new to giving direction on e-learning. Your template was a good device to help them think about what they wanted. Before the storyboard I developed the project brief requirements and a "mood" board. I'm definitely more skilled at the upfront project briefing (from my brand management and advertising days). I kind of lost control of the development process on the individual slides as my clients started having more fun with the project. Once they saw all the cool things they could do with Storyline the process broke down a little. I have to get better at listening to them before I sit down to execute.
  • Jonathan_Hill's avatar
    Jonathan_Hill
    Super Hero
    6 years ago
    Hello! This is certainly a different challenge.

    I don't have a digital template to share, as I'm pretty 'old school' when it comes to storyboarding, favouring pen, paper and sticky notes. So here instead is a short module illustrating my go-to storyboarding technique...

    STIK-IT STORYBOARDING
    Demo: http://bit.ly/elhc251
    • KarynJones-5c19's avatar
      KarynJones-5c19
      Community Member
      6 years ago
      That is a really cool approach, Jonathan! Definitely something I will use for my next project. thanks for sharing!
    • AnoukVanDijk's avatar
      AnoukVanDijk
      Community Member
      6 years ago
      Nice! In addition to the Excel file I shared I must say I used sticky notes as well. But lately i just start building the prototype and move around the slides in Storyline. I always has a scene called "Parking lot" where I park my unused slides or the slides I haven't positioned yet.
  • CandicePitman's avatar
    CandicePitman
    Community Member
    6 years ago
    Hello everyone!

    I'm loving this post and plan to soak it in like a sponge. I rarely storyboard, but I started to plan out my modules so that my leadership team could review it before I invest too much time into a concept. This is a small draft I made for an upcoming module. We ended up changing things a bit... but it got the ball rolling. For this module we are going to be exploring places our brands travel.

    This storyboard was made in Publisher.
    My example: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aCSkQSFLcUBANm3MPmu_hBga1rkvZm2v/view?usp=sharing

    Template: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rxkuW0_zCSQMPEIFHyx5bL6ExTMwYl3y/view?usp=sharing
  • ErnestoYannini's avatar
    ErnestoYannini
    Community Member
    6 years ago
    Hi, everyone!

    For this challenge I’m sharing an infographic with general concepts of our creation process, which has improved with time and has brought us very positive results. I hope it can be useful for your projects too! This process has four stages: analysis and strategy, content, multimedia and implementation and trials.

    Everything starts with a detailed user profile analysis, which from it’s possible to identify learning objectives and define the didactic sequence to follow. Once this is determined, the next step is adaptation or creation of the content and development of the personalized graphic concept, according to the user’s interest and the produced content. At last, resources are programmed and tested for internal final users to evaluate their performance before and after they’re loaded into platform.

    Thanks to this process our final user’s level of satisfaction has been positive and we’ve been able to reduce the execution time and common problems that arise in our resources. I hope you enjoy it!


    http://odas.we-know.net/demos/odas/Challenges/Proceso_creacion_de_contenidos.png
  • FarahAzadeh-1d8's avatar
    FarahAzadeh-1d8
    Community Member
    6 years ago
    Hello Articulate Community!

    When I prepare to create a new course, I like to have a storyboard because it allows me to get all my thoughts and images on paper. It lets me organize the course, assessments, and anything else I think is needed. Very similar to Jonathan Hill, I use a system where each scene goes on a piece of paper. ( I wish my budget was larger, and I could afford sticky-notes!)

    https://360.articulate.com/review/content/9571d3fb-e6af-4a8f-9fb6-87d600ca4a0c/review

    In addition to my paper and pencil storyboard, I have used PPT to create a basic outline. I use the transcript from my meetings with the SMEs as a script and adjust where needed. I have tried creating courses without an outline, and although they are good, they are better when I actually plan things. I'm also very lucky and blessed to have stakeholders who trust me.
  • KellyChristian-'s avatar
    KellyChristian-
    Community Member
    6 years ago
    Hey Everyone!

    I find it really helpful in my design process to storyboard. It helps me plan out all the small details of course functionality and work through interaction ideas. I also find storyboarding helpful when working with other IDs. If I have to hand development off to someone else all they have to do is follow the plan!

    Here is a PDF example of what I use: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wAKszXD1Q7rsasGJCuzjpOLqInnu1dp4

    The working file is in PPT, which makes it easy to move things around and add mock-up elements!
    • ErinMeenan's avatar
      ErinMeenan
      Community Member
      6 years ago
      I love how you have examples for all different types of interactions. That is so helpful for an SME who might not know where to begin. Thank you for sharing!