Create A Spinning Wheel Interaction Easily

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. What is Articulate Storyline?
3. The Spin Wheel Effect in Articulate Storyline
   1. Overview of the Spin Wheel Interaction
   2. Obtaining the Spin Wheel Interaction File
   3. Setting Up the Spin Wheel Interaction
      1. Examining the Objects Used in the Spin Wheel Interaction
      2. Converting Objects to Rotate
      3. Understanding the Triggers
      4. Using Variables and Motion Paths
      5. Adding Audio and Result Variables
4. Previewing and Testing the Spin Wheel Interaction
5. Conclusion
6. Frequently Asked Questions

Article:

Introduction

Last week, I received a request from one of my YouTube viewers to create a video tutorial on how to create a spin wheel effect in Articulate Storyline. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I reached out to Joanne Chen and asked if I could use her spin wheel interaction as a basis for the tutorial. In this article, I will guide you step-by-step on how to set up the spin wheel effect in Articulate Storyline.

What is Articulate Storyline?

Articulate Storyline is a powerful e-learning authoring tool that allows you to create interactive and engaging online courses. With its user-friendly interface and extensive features, Storyline enables you to build custom learning modules without the need for programming knowledge.

The Spin Wheel Effect in Articulate Storyline

Overview of the Spin Wheel Interaction

The spin wheel interaction is a popular and interactive element that can be added to your Articulate Storyline courses. It mimics the spinning motion of a wheel and provides a fun way for learners to engage with the content.

Obtaining the Spin Wheel Interaction File

Before we proceed with setting up the spin wheel effect, you can find Joanne's spin wheel interaction file on the Articulate Storyline community forum. By downloading this file, you can easily customize and use it for your own projects.

Setting Up the Spin Wheel Interaction

To set up the spin wheel interaction in Articulate Storyline, we first need to examine the objects used in Joanne's spin wheel interaction. On one of the slides, she has used four main objects: a start button, a character image, an oval hotspot, and a rectangle.

Examining the Objects Used in the Spin Wheel Interaction

The start button serves as the trigger to initiate the spinning motion of the wheel. When the start button is clicked, several triggers are executed.

The character image displays a message instructing the learner to hit the start button to spin the wheel. Additionally, the image has a blue tint that can be toggled on and off by unchecking a checkbox.

The oval hotspot allows the learner to click on the dial of the wheel. It is placed strategically over the dial to capture the learner's interaction.

Converting Objects to Rotate

To create the spinning effect, Joanne has used a rotating motion path on the character image. By applying a motion path to the image, it rotates as the wheel spins. You can apply this technique to any object that you want to rotate in your own projects.

Understanding the Triggers

The start button has several triggers associated with it. When clicked, the start button sets a variable to false, disables the state of the start button, and sets the wheel variable to zero. These triggers control the initial state and behavior of the spin wheel interaction.

Another trigger is set on the character image along the motion path. This trigger moves the image along the motion path as long as the "stop" variable is set to false. This creates the spinning motion of the wheel.

Using Variables and Motion Paths

Joanne has utilized variables and motion paths to create a looping effect for the wheel's rotation. When the character image reaches the end of the downward motion path, it moves back up, creating a continuous spinning motion. These variables and motion paths allow you to check conditions, perform actions, and add randomness to the spin wheel interaction.

Adding Audio and Result Variables

To enhance the user experience, Joanne has added an audio file with a duration of five seconds. When the audio file completes, the "stop" variable is set to true, causing the wheel to stop spinning. Additionally, the audio file triggers the state change of the character image and sets the result variable to a specific number on the wheel.

The result variable determines the outcome of the spin wheel interaction. Joanne has set up triggers that jump to specific slides based on the result variable, allowing you to customize the content or actions associated with each outcome.

Previewing and Testing the Spin Wheel Interaction

Before finalizing your spin wheel interaction, you can preview and test it within Articulate Storyline. Clicking the start button initiates the spinning motion of the wheel, and the result is displayed once the wheel stops spinning. You can assess and fine-tune the interaction based on the outcome and user experience.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we explored how to create a spin wheel effect in Articulate Storyline. By using Joanne Chen's spin wheel interaction as inspiration, we learned how to set up the interaction, understand the objects and triggers involved, and add audio and result variables. With these techniques, you can create engaging and interactive e-learning modules that captivate your learners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I customize the spin wheel interaction to fit my own design and content?

A: Yes, you can easily customize the spin wheel interaction by modifying the objects, motion paths, variables, and triggers. Joanne's spin wheel interaction provides a foundation that you can adapt to align with your specific design and content requirements.

Q: Is the spin wheel interaction compatible with different devices and platforms?

A: Yes, the spin wheel interaction created in Articulate Storyline is compatible with various devices and platforms, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Articulate Storyline allows you to publish your courses in different formats to ensure compatibility across devices.

Q: Can I use the spin wheel interaction in other e-learning authoring tools?

A: The spin wheel interaction described in this tutorial is specific to Articulate Storyline. However, you can take the concept and adapt it to other e-learning authoring tools that support similar features, such as triggers, variables, and motion paths.

Q: How can I ensure a smooth user experience with the spin wheel interaction?

A: To ensure a smooth user experience with the spin wheel interaction, it is essential to test and preview the interaction thoroughly. Pay attention to the timing of the spinning motion, the clarity of the outcome, and the responsiveness of the interaction on different devices. Adjust variables, triggers, and audio cues as needed to optimize the user experience.

Q: Are there any limitations or drawbacks to using the spin wheel interaction?

A: While the spin wheel interaction can add an engaging and interactive element to your e-learning courses, it is important to consider the context and appropriateness for your specific learning objectives. Overusing interactive elements or using them unnecessarily can distract and confuse learners. Evaluate the learning goals and instructional design principles when deciding to incorporate the spin wheel interaction into your courses.

Q: Where can I find additional resources and support for Articulate Storyline?

A: The Articulate Storyline community forum is an excellent resource for finding additional resources, tutorials, and support. You can also explore online communities and social media groups dedicated to Articulate Storyline to connect with other users and gain further insights into using the software effectively.