Storyline - Articulate
What is Articulate Storyline
Articulate Storyline is a Windows desktop application for authoring interactive modules. These modules can be exported and used in OWL through the Lessons Tool or the SCORM tool. Articulate storyline supports branching, quiz questions, video, and audio. It easily creates modules based off of powerpoint presentations.
What is the purpose of Articulate Storyline
The purpose of Articulate Storyline is to provide information to students in an engaging way and then to allow them to check that knowledge with integrated activities. This becomes useful for delivering lectures and training to students.
While the SCORM tool makes it possible for grades from an articulate storyline module to be entered automatically into the gradebook, this should be approached cautiously. Failing to thoroughly test the articulate module with OWL may result in incorrect scores being published.
How to use Articulate Storyline
This tool must be purchased from articulate and downloaded to a desktop computer. The articulate interface is similar to the Microsoft PowerPoint interface. Modules can be created based on a PowerPoint presentation or from scratch using images, text, shapes, audio, and video files.
When the instructor is happy with the presentation, it can be exported. Since Flash is now deprecated, exporting as HTML5 is strongly recommended. If exporting for SCORM, the target file format is SCORM 2004, 3rd edition.
Where to find Support
This tool is not centrally supported
Help and Documentation
Tool Evaluation
Functionality
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ScaleThe tool can be scaled to accommodate any size class but lacks flexibility to create smaller sub-groups or communities of practice. |
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Ease of UseThe tool has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and personalize. |
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Tech Support/Help AvailabilitySupport through the eLearning Heros forums is readily available and aids users in troubleshooting tasks or solving problems experienced. |
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HypermedialityThe tool allows users to communicate through different channels (audio, visual, textual) and allows for non-sequential, flexible/adaptive engagement with material. |
Accessibility
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AODA FriendlyThe tool fully supports compliance with AODA standards for accessibility (W3 WAI), and makes it easy for materials to be made AODA-friendly. See more information on Storyline Accessibility. |
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User-focused participationThe tool is designed to address the needs of diverse users, their various literacies, and capabilities, thereby widening opportunities for participation in learning. |
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Required EquipmentProper use of the tool does not require equipment other than a computer and access to the internet. |
Technical
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OWL IntegrationThe tool can be embedded and fully integrated into OWL maintaining full functionality of the tool. |
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Operating SystemsUsers are limited to using the tool through the Windows operating system or a virtual machine that supports Windows. |
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Web BrowserThe modules created by the tool can be accessed by any modern, up to date browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc...) |
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Additional Tech RequirementsThe tool requires the instructor to download software. The students are able to access the content without any downloads. |
Mobile Design
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Mobile Operating SystemsModules can be access via the web browser on any mobile device. A mobile application is not required. |
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Mobile FunctionalityStoryline modules are responsive for different devices. |
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Offline AccessStoryline modules can be created offline using desktop software. However, the modules cannot be accessed online without an internet connection. |
Usage and Account Set Up
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Sign Up/Sign InAn instructor account/login is required but students are not required to create an external account or additional log in. |
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Cost of UseUse of the tool requires a paid subscription. |
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Archiving, Saving, and Exporting DataThere are limitations to archiving, saving, or importing/exporting content or activity data |
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Data Privacy and OwnershipUsers maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data; the user can keep data private and decide if/how data is to be shared |
Social Presence
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CollaborationThis tool is not intended to promote collaboration. |
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User AccountabilityInstructors cannot control student anonymity and there is no technical solution for holding users accountable to their actions. With this noted, Students' actions are limited to those the instructor provides. |
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DiffusionStudent familiarity with the tool is likely mixed, some will lack basic technical competence with its functions. |
Instructor Presence
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FacilitationThe tool has not been designed to support an instructor’s an instructor’s ability to be present with students via active management, monitoring, and engagement |
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CustomizationTool is adaptable to its environment: easily customized to suit the classroom context and targeted learning outcomes |
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Learning AnalyticsInstructor can monitor students’ performance on limited measures |
Cognitive Presence
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Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s)The tool enables functional improvement to engagement in the targeted cognitive task(s) |
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Higher Order ThinkingThe tool may engage students in higher order thinking skills (given significant consideration to design, facilitation, and direction from instructor) |
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Feedback on LearningOpportunities for receiving formative feedback on learning are available, but infrequent or limited (i.e. poor opportunities for tracking performance, monitoring improvement, testing knowledge on a regular basis) |
Security and Privacy
This tool has not been formally reviewed by Western’s Technology Risk Assessment Committee
Security and Privacy Flags
Accounts
- Users are required to create and use a non-Western account. It is highly recommended that users do not use the same username and password that is in use at Western.
Information Collection
- This application may use profile information and/or provided data for marketing purposes
EULA
- EULA is complex and difficult to understand
Last Updated: September 16, 2020
Rubric
The eLearning Toolkit Evaluations are made available under the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
Feedback
Leave feedback to comment or request that the tool be re-reviewed
Topic at a Glance
Articulate Storyline is a Windows desktop application that allows instructors to create interactive modules for students. These modules can be embedded in OWL Lessons or used through the OWL SCORM player.
