Moving forward with the topic of extending slide content in Articulate Storyline, I wanted to show you two very easy and functional ways that you can use Lightbox Slides to extend display content – this works particularly well with navigation instructions and media carousels (which I’ll discuss on another day).
Screencast Monday: Extending Slide Content in Storyline Part 1 – Slide Layers
My apologies for the late post; I was going to do a first impression type of screencast with a new technology that has me pretty excited, but there was a bit of a glitch during the demo, and I’m still waiting for technical support to get back to me. Maybe you’ll see the demo next week…maybe not at all – who knows?!
This week we’ll look at how you can easily extend slide content using layers in Articulate Storyline.
Understanding all of the ways in which you can extend slide content is essential as it may allow you to reduce overall slide count in your projects, leading to a more streamlined and efficient project structure.
Terminology Tuesday: Sandwiching
Following on the coat tails of last week’s discussion of Tell, Show, Do, I figured I would share another training tip I learned during my tenure at Starbucks: Sandwiching. And no – I’m not talking about the process of making a killer Peanut Butter and Jelly.
Sandwiching?
Sandwiching is a fun training term that is related to professional development and training. The premise is that when providing feedback to someone, you sandwich the constructive criticism between two positives.
This method is effective with regard to providing feedback because it gives the recipient relevant compliments on a task, with a small constructive criticism of the task – something for them to improve on in the future. It lessens the blow of the critique, which can be critical, especially if you work with some very sensitive souls.
The important thing with this method is that all points must be relevant. Below, I’ll illustrate a bad sandwiching conversation and a good sandwiching conversation.
Bad Sandwiching
Supervisor: Hey, Becky! I just thought I would tell you that your new polo shirt fits you really well, but you suck at making lattes. Great hairstyle – did you just get it cut?!
This is an example of bad sandwiching because all points are not relevant to the constructive criticism. The positives are superfluous. Nice compliments, but a terrible training strategy.
Good Sandwiching
Supervisor: Hey, Becky! Your milk aeration is on point! Although, when you make your lattes, could you please hold the foam back with a spoon or give the milk time to separate from the foam? Otherwise your lattes will be too light and will be closer to a cappuccino – more foam than milk. You did also do really well keeping steaming your milk to the appropriate temperature.
This is an example of good sandwiching because all points are relevant to the constructive criticism.
Good sandwiching conversations may take a bit longer to have, but that’s because they aren’t superfluous. They have the goal of hitting three relevant points, all providing feedback related to the task at hand, in this case, making a latte.
Screencast Monday: Easy Ways of Choosing Colour Schemes for E-Learning
This week I wanted to show you some quick and easy ways to come up with colour schemes for your e-learning. Within this screencast, I discuss three websites for hunting down your finest e-learning colour palettes:
Terminology Tuesday: Tell, Show, Do
Back when I was working through my undergraduate degree, I managed a busy Starbucks. It was an incredible experience because it allowed me to foster some of my longest standing friendships, and I had a pretty friggin’ amazing staff.
With management comes training. This was one of my first tastes of training and professional development (of others), and I take some of the principles used in this corporate training experience with me as I move throughout my current role and even my life.
One such training principle that Starbucks introduced me to is: Tell, Show, Do.
Tell, Show, Do?
The idea behind tell, show, do is exactly how it sounds. You begin your training experience by telling the trainee what they will learn. You then show them what they will learn. Finally, you let the trainee try their hand at whatever it is you’re training them to do.
As a kinaesthetic learner, especially when it comes to procedural training, I found this training method extremely effective.
Great. Now I know what you’re talking about, but how would this type of training look?
You know how Starbucks comes out with new drinks every now and again, or even re-introduces old favourites (hey, Pumpkin Spice Latte, amiright?)? Well, every time there’s a new product launch, an old drink is reintroduced, or a recipe changes, a whole training requirement comes down the pipeline. Each employee needs to complete the training, regardless of time spent at the company or proficiency.
Scenario: A new employee is learning to make a latte.
- Step 1 – Explain to the trainee that they will be learning to make a latte, that the recipe card is located in x location, and explain the procedure for making the latte.
- Step 2 – You, as the trainer, make a latte, explaining each of the steps as you make the latte. Steps will align with the recipe card.
- Step 3 – Finally, you let the trainee make a latte, in accordance with the recipe card specifications.
Once the training session is completed, the trainer will assess the training and will provide constructive feedback to the trainee. Such feedback will allow the trainee to improve their performance on the next attempt. Ahead of the next attempt, the trainer should use Tell, Show, Do as they emphasize elements of the training where the trainee missed the mark. This feedback should also help the trainee improve performance in their next attempt.
Stay tuned next week for another training tip I learned at Starbucks and continue to bring with me!
Screencast Monday: Modifying the Storyline Course Player Part 1
This week I wanted to discuss how I modified the Storyline course player for my recent course starter template, which you can download for free by clicking here.
To do this, I made some very simple modifications to the player tabs and controls, and then to the player colours. Check out the demo below to find out what I did!
