Using JavaScript and Articulate Storyline #132

Using JavaScript with Articulate Storyline #132: Challenge | Recap

Extend Your E-Learning Development Skills with JavaScript

In a recent screencast challenge, we looked at using variables in e-learning. Since most course designers don’t work with variables, it was a good opportunity to learn how variables can be used to create more dynamic and personalized learning experiences.

Another way to create dynamic courses is by using JavaScript, which is a scripting language that allows users to interact with web pages. Events like hovering, clicking, and typing can execute JavaScript to trigger an action.

In Articulate Storyline, this is all handled for you with built-in triggers. You don’t need to know a thing about JavaScript to build advanced courses.

But Storyline is designed to grow with you. If you look down the list of triggers, you’ll find one dedicated to executing JavaScript.

Keep in mind that you do not need to learn JavaScript to create highly interactive projects in Storyline. Storyline’s states, triggers, and layers are all you need to create Guru-worthy projects.

Challenge of the Week

This week, your challenge is to share a Storyline example that features JavaScript. You don’t need to build anything complicated or overly technical. Instead, focus on learning how to insert JavaScript and make something happen.

JavaScript isn’t the easiest thing to learn. If your project doesn’t work as intended, don’t sweat it. I’ll still feature your work in the recap.

Finally, keep in mind that Articulate doesn’t provide support for using JavaScript. If you run into any sticking points this week, please post your questions in the Building Better Courses forums. If the community can help, they will.

JavaScript Examples from the Articulate Community

The Articulate community has shared some amazing examples, source files, and tutorials that can help you get started. Feel free to use any of the Storyline-JavaScript downloads as the starting point for your project.

Zsolt Olah

Zsolt Olah comes up with some highly creative ways to include JavaScript with Storyline. He also does a fantastic job of writing about his projects.

Here are some articles, demos, and tutorials that will help you get started working with JavaScript in Storyline:

• JavaScript & Storyline
• Keep Your Head in the Game: Advanced Storyline
• Voice Recognition Experiment
• Storyline Communication with a Web Server
• How did I make the gamified video interview challenge?
• QR Code Generator
• Full Control Over YouTube Videos in Storyline
• Storyline Variables for Non Coders
• Storyline Variables and JavaScript
• JavaScript And Storyline: Time Saver
• Hook them! JavaScript and Storyline to engage learners!

Melissa Milloway

Every time I open Twitter, it seems Melissa Milloway has posted another advanced idea for blending programming languages with Storyline. Here are a few of my favorites:

• 5 ideas on using JavaScript to change background color in Storyline
• E-Learning and Retro Games Sample
• Gamify your next e-learning project's background with this trick

Aman Vohra

If you follow the weekly challenges, you know Aman Vohra is someone who likes to share advanced ways to push Storyline’s limits. Here are a few of Aman’s examples that feature JavaScript:

• Adding a Live Chat Box to Your Course
• Weather App in Storyline 2
• Leaderboard example in Articulate Storyline

Kristin Anthony

Kristin Anthony shared some super-cool projects that feature JavaScript and Storyline. Check out her posts below because she does a great job of writing about her development process.

• A Medical Demo and a bit of Coding, too!
• GDS Challenge No. 2: Zombie Acme U

Storyline+JavaScript Source Files

• Storyline 2: L&D Title Generator By Trina Rimmer
• Storyline 2: Word Count JavaScript By Phil Mayor
• Storyline 2: Controlling Variables from JavaScript By Zsolt Olah

Resources

Product support articles

• JavaScript Best Practices and Examples
• Articulate Support resources for Storyline and JavaScript

Last Week’s Challenge:

Before you geek out on this week’s e-learning challenge, take a look at the blurred background designs your fellow community members shared over the past week:

Blurred Backgrounds in E-Learning RECAP #131: Challenge | Recap

Wishing you a JavaScriptastic week, E-Learning Heroes!

New to the E-Learning Challenges?

The weekly 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.