All-New Adobe Captivate - Variables

In this video, I introduce you to the concept of variables inside of the All-New Adobe Captivate.

FORGET Icons! Images CLICK REVEAL in Captivate (EASY HACK)

Use images instead of icons in Adobe Captivate and click to reveal (easy hack).

All-New Adobe Captivate - Partial Scoring in Multiple Choice

In this video, I show you how you can set up partial scoring in your Adobe Captivate multiple choice question slides.

Stop Wasting Time! Edit Captivate Audio FAST!

Are you tired of switching between Captivate and external audio editors? This video reveals a hidden gem—Captivate's built-in audio editing tools! Learn how to trim, adjust volume, and even record new clips without leaving Captivate. Save time, streamline your workflow, and polish your eLearning audio like a pro!

eLearning Lifehack - Get Adobe Captivate for FREE!

Adobe launched the Adobe eLearning Community in 2016 to grow the online community for Adobe Captivate. Shortly after, the Adobe LMS solution, originally called Adobe Captivate Prime, became Adobe Learning Manager. Adobe wanted their customers to talk together and share ideas informally rather than relying only on official help files. It has worked, as there are several hundred thousand members of the Adobe eLearning Community, including yours.

One little-known feature of the Adobe eLearning Community is its incentive program, which encourages participation in the community. Because of this program, I have not paid for Adobe Captivate since version 7. While you think Adobe has given me Adobe Captivate because of my YouTube channel, you would only be partially correct. Let me explain how this program works.

How does it work?

Visit elearning.adode.com and sign in using your Adobe ID. If you don't have an Adobe ID, it's free and easy to sign up and start using. If you don't already have access to Adobe Captivate, you can download a copy from here and start using it. The next step is to start sharing with the community. The easiest way to start participating is to post a blog post, ask a question, or start a discussion. For each of these activities, you will earn points. When you sign in, you start as a Newbie (I personally hate that word) and will have zero points. As you continue to engage with the community, your points will accumulate. You will graduate to an Explorer once you have gained 50 points, a guide at 150 points, a Master at 500, a Wizard at 1,000, and a Legend at 5,000.

Here is where it gets good

Here is where it gets good. If you get 150 points, you will receive one month of complimentary license usage for Adobe Captivate. Five hundred points get you 3 months of Adobe Captivate, 1000 gets you 6 months, and 5,000 gets you 12 months. For 1,000 or 5,000, you also get invited to Adobe Learning Summit, the conference in Las Vegas about Adobe Captivate, which includes a free pass and stay (you would need to figure out how to get there, though). This could include opportunities to present at the conference or within Adobe webinars and workshops.

How I use the program

Here is what I do. I'm making Adobe Captivate YouTube videos anyway, so once a week, when I release a new video, I merely post it to the Adobe eLearning Community, and just like that, I get 50 points. There are a couple of rules around posting videos. They should be more than 4 minutes long; the video must be about eLearning, or, better yet, specifically about Adobe Captivate; they should be well-produced and with recorded narration in English. I have enough points to cash that in for a 12-month complimentary license of Adobe Captivate. You can find all the details about the program here.

To check your current level and redeem your points, you want to visit your profile. To access your profile, click on the avatar of yourself in the upper right corner and click on My Profile. You will see your current points, lifetime points, the number of followers, and the number of other users you follow. 

My profile with accumulated points

You can request your points be converted into a complimentary license key to start using Adobe Captivate for free up to two times per year. One limitation of trial software is that anything you produce with it expires after 30 days. Not so with this version of Adobe Captivate. It is the full version.

Ideas for you to get started

If I were a new Adobe Captivate user, I would make it my goal to get to five hundred points as quickly as possible. Remember, five hundred points get you three months of Adobe Captivate, during which time you can focus on gaining an even higher level. Build something neat with Adobe Captivate and submit it as a free project. For this, you will earn two hundred points. That, along with a few separate blog posts, would be enough to become a Master and gain five hundred points. When you are ready to redeem your points, email elcommunity1@adobe.com and ask for your reward. Adobe doesn't issue the rewards daily, so be patient. For example, I have enough points for my following twelve-month complimentary license, which I will only need in October. To avoid disruption, I will request my redemption a few weeks before my license expires.

Learn more

If you have other questions about this program, be sure to look here. It includes an FAQ that should answer any questions you have.

Why I Focus on PAF for Simple Yet Effective Training

I was reviewing some of the learning theories that I have been taught over the years and discovered that many have either been completely debunked or have, at the very least, received some level of criticism. 

When I took a Teaching and Training Adults course at my local college, they taught me about learning styles. This popular theory proposes that learners have distinct styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) and absorb information best when presented in their preferred format. However, research needs more solid evidence to support this categorization. Learners can be flexible and adapt to different learning methods. Accurately identifying and catering to individual styles can be impractical in many training settings. 

Another such theory is Multiple Intelligences. This theory proposes eight distinct intelligences (linguistic, logical-mathematical, etc.) that individuals possess in varying degrees. While it highlights the importance of acknowledging diverse strengths, the theory is criticized for lacking a clear definition of "intelligence" and limited practical application in instructional design. There's also a debate on whether these intelligences are genuinely independent or simply different ways of using the same underlying cognitive abilities.

I often find myself drawn to a more straightforward, more natural, and direct approach to training: The PAF Model.

Why PAF?

Here's the thing: complex theories can get tangled up in their jargon, creating a labyrinth for learners. PAF, on the other hand, cuts through the noise with three simple pillars:

• Presentation: This is where you convey the knowledge or skill clearly and concisely. Think engaging presentations, demonstrations, or even well-structured handouts.

• Application: Don't just tell; make them do! This is where learners get hands-on, practicing what they've learned through activities, simulations, or role-playing exercises.

• Feedback: Learning is a two-way street. Feedback helps solidify understanding and identify areas for improvement. You can deliver through coaching, quizzes, or peer reviews.

The Power of Simplicity

The beauty of PAF lies in its straightforwardness. Learners can quickly grasp the flow of information, from introduction to practice to evaluation. This clear structure fosters engagement and helps them retain critical takeaways.

But what about those fancy learning theories?

Don't get me wrong, those theories have their place (well, some do). They provide a foundation for understanding how people learn. However, PAF takes those principles and translates them into actionable steps. It's the bridge between theory and effective training design.

Think of it this way: I imagine my father teaching me about computers when I was nine or ten years old. My father was a masterful teacher who understood how people learn without all the learning theory jargon. This is precisely what he would do.

• Show me how to write a line of code (Presentation)

• Get me to repeat the same steps but for my program (Application)

• Offered me guidance and feedback (Feedback)

PAF for the Win!

While complex learning theories can be interesting to explore, PAF offers a decisive and results-oriented approach to practical training design. It keeps things clear, engaging, and focused on the ultimate goal: ensuring learners walk away with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

So, the next time you design a training program, stay aware of the theoretical maze and embrace the simplicity and effectiveness of the PAF Model.

All-New Adobe Captivate - More than 1 Click Box

In this video, I show you how to add more than one click box in your software simulation.

Adobe Learning Summit 2024

This morning, I visited the Adobe Learning Summit 2023 website to look up something about last year's Adobe Learning conference. To my surprise, I discovered that the website has been revamped for the upcoming Adobe Learning Summit 2024, set to take place at the prestigious Resorts World, Las Vegas, on October 2 and 3.

I'm excited about the location. The Adobe Learning Summit has been held at the Mirage, The MGM Grand, and the Old Hard Rock Hotel (now Virgin Hotels Las Vegas). These are all older and somewhat tired Las Vegas resorts showing their age. Most of the conferences I've attended were at the Mirage, which looks impressive when you walk in, but by the time you get to your room, you see the resort's age.

Resorts World Las Vegas is different from your average Vegas hotel. Opened in 2021, Resorts World is the glitziest new addition to the Strip, boasting a whopping $4.3 billion price tag. It's all about luxury – spacious rooms, high-end shopping, and a world-class spa. If this conference will be your first Learning and Development Las Vegas Conference, Resorts World will combine extravagance and top-notch hospitality.

Check out the Adobe Learning Summit and Resorts World websites to learn about the conference and location.

https://adobe-learning-summit.elearning.adobeevents.com/

https://www.rwlasvegas.com/

The first year I attended the Adobe Learning Summit was in 2016. Adobe held the conference at the MGM Grand. At the time, it was a co-located event with DEVLEARN. Today, Adobe Learning Summit is an entirely independent conference. DEVLEARN, while a much larger event, tends to cater to other eLearning platforms and services, and there are seldom Adobe Captivate-specific sessions for people like you and me. If you are an Adobe Captivate designer or developer, the Adobe Learning Summit is the conference you want to attend.

The website needs more details on the conference at this time. However, you can expect Adobe to update the site occasionally as we get closer to the event. There is usually a fee for this conference, as Adobe is holding it at a Las Vegas hotel. Similar conferences can charge over USD 1,000 for registration. While there will undoubtedly be a special rate for the hotel for conference attendees, traditionally, the Adobe Learning Summits conference fees are reasonable. I would expect around USD 500. However, they often make early-bird pricing available during the summer, where you can save $100 or more.

If it interests you, I would discuss this conference with your supervisor or manager. Sometimes, convincing your boss to send you to Las Vegas can be an uphill battle, but your best bet is to prepare an email now focusing on your organization's benefits. Here is a sample I created with the help of AI:

---

Dear [Manager Name],

I am writing to express my strong interest in attending the upcoming Adobe Learning Summit in Las Vegas, which is scheduled for October 2nd and 3rd.

Staying at the forefront of learning and development (L&D) trends and technologies is crucial for our team's success. The Adobe Learning Summit offers a unique opportunity to:

• Gain in-depth knowledge of the latest version of Adobe Captivate: I am particularly interested in learning more about creating custom interactions. This knowledge will allow me to Optimize our current L&D workflows and create more engaging and effective learning experiences for our employees.

  1. Explore new possibilities for using Adobe tools to address emerging training needs within the company.

  2. Learn from industry experts: The summit features sessions led by leading L&D professionals and Adobe product specialists. This will allow me to Gain valuable insights on best practices in eLearning design and development.

  3. Discover innovative approaches to address current L&D challenges faced by our department.

  4. Network with peers: The summit provides a platform to connect with other L&D professionals from various industries. This will allow me to Exchange ideas and best practices that can be applied to our L&D programs.

  5. Explore potential collaborations that could further enhance our training initiatives.

The knowledge and connections gained at the summit will significantly benefit our L&D department. Upon my return, I am committed to sharing what I have learned with the team and developing a comprehensive report outlining key takeaways and actionable insights.

I am happy to discuss flexible work arrangements during the summit dates to ensure minimal disruption to our workflow.

Thank you for considering my request. I am available to discuss this further at your convenience.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

L&D Specialist

---

I will be throwing my hat in the ring to present a session on the All New Adobe Captivate. I'm working on a longer-form presentation on Accessibility that I might use for this conference. Often, Adobe asks me to present a particular topic. Many speakers at the conference are usually software users, just like you and me. There are other benefits to being a speaker. Most notably, you can attend the conference for free. Also, Adobe holds a pre-conference dinner for attendees the night before the first day. If you are interested in presenting a session, you can fill out the form  on this page, and perhaps I will see you in the "green room." 

https://adobe-learning-summit.elearning.adobeevents.com/speaker-application/

Unlocking the Power of Adobe Captivate 12.3: A Comprehensive Update

Adobe Captivate 12.3 has rolled out, and it's packed with new features and enhancements that promise to streamline the process of creating engaging and accessible e-learning content. Whether you're a seasoned instructional designer or new to the e-learning industry, understanding these updates can help you maximize your productivity and create more effective learning experiences. Let's delve into the compelling features of the latest update. Here are three minor additional improvements that have been made to Adobe Captivate in the 12.3 update.

Simplified Project Integration with Quick Start Projects

One of the standout features in Adobe Captivate 12.3 is the enhanced accessibility of Quick Start Projects. These ready-to-use templates have been a staple for rapidly deploying professional-looking courses. Previously, users could extract individual slides from these projects to incorporate into their classes. However, the latest update has streamlined this process even further.

You can initiate a project using a complete Quick Start template straight from the welcome screen. This integration allows instructional designers to customize an entire project swiftly — adjusting layouts, integrating brand elements, and tailoring content to meet specific learning objectives without constructing every element from scratch. This feature is especially beneficial for those needing to deploy quality content rapidly and maintain a consistent design standard across learning modules.

Improvement in Screen Reader Compatibility

Adobe Captivate 12.3 makes significant strides in enhancing the accessibility of e-learning courses. The update introduces improved header management in course content, which is critical for users who rely on screen readers. Titles and subtitles within the slides now include heading tags (like H1, H2, etc.), essential for screen readers to navigate content effectively. This change is behind-the-scenes—requiring no additional adjustments from the designer—yet it dramatically impacts learners, ensuring all users have equal access to educational content.

Streamlined Theme Management

For those moments when design experiments go awry, Adobe Captivate 12.3 introduces an invaluable feature: the ability to reset theme elements to their original settings. This functionality is accessed through the project properties panel, where a simple click can restore customized colors and fonts to their default state. This tool is handy when course designs need a quick reset to adhere to specific branding guidelines or when an experiment doesn't pan out as expected.

Broader Features to Enhance Your E-Learning Projects

Apart from the straightforward yet impactful enhancements, Captivate 12.3 also introduces several advanced functions to improve the review and deployment phases of e-learning development. A notable addition is the ability for stakeholders to review courses without needing a Captivate installation—only a browser and an internet connection are necessary. 

Furthermore, the update simplifies the management of closed captions and enhances the import of question slides from CSV files, facilitating smoother collaboration with subject matter experts. Enhanced image editing capabilities consolidate the tools needed to adjust visuals across different device layouts into a single interface, making it easier to ensure visual content looks great on any screen.

Conclusion: A Robust Tool for Modern E-Learners

Adobe Captivate 12.3 addresses many demands of modern e-learning professionals, from enhancing accessibility to streamlining design and review processes. These improvements not only save time but also open up new possibilities for creating dynamic, inclusive, and visually appealing online courses. Whether you are upgrading from a previous version or considering Adobe Captivate for future e-learning projects, version 12.3 offers compelling reasons to embrace its rich feature set. Stay tuned to our channel for more in-depth tutorials on each new feature and tips to get the most out of your e-learning development software. Don't forget to subscribe and share to help others in your network benefit from these insights!

Streamlining Quiz Creation in Adobe Captivate with CSV Files

Unlock the Power of Efficient, Scalable Quiz Creation in Adobe Captivate 12.3

Introduction:

Creating quizzes in educational software can be daunting, especially when dealing with large numbers. Adobe Captivate 12.3 significantly simplifies this process by allowing users to import quiz questions from a CSV file. This method saves time and enhances accuracy and consistency in quiz content across various projects or educational modules.

Understanding the Basics of CSV Files

CSV or Comma Separated Values files are fundamental tools in data manipulation that help organize large quantities of data into a simple, readable format. In Adobe Captivate, these CSV files allow for the bulk creation and importation of quiz questions. Users can list questions, answers, and other relevant data in a spreadsheet, which can be edited conveniently in programs like Microsoft Excel or simple text editors like Notepad.

Setting Up Your Quiz Questions in a CSV File

First, structure your CSV file by defining the essential columns: the type of question (like multiple choice or true/false), the points each question carries, the question stem, and the answer choices. In the video below, I show you each type of question with precise examples. For instance, for a multiple-choice question about the provinces and territories of Canada, the correct answer ten provinces and three territories. I marked with an asterisk to denote its correct choice, and additional wrong answers (distractors) are listed subsequently.

Importing Your CSV File into Adobe Captivate

Adobe Captivate facilitates an easy import process. After saving your edited CSV file, you need to open Captivate, start a new project, and choose to import the CSV through the file menu or directly on the new slide screen. The software smoothly integrates the content into your project, setting up each question per your document's configurations. This convenience is a game-changer for educators and instructional designers looking to deploy extensive tests or need frequent content updates without manually adjusting each quiz slide.

Managing Possible Errors During Import

I do highlight an essential aspect of the import process—error handling. If Captivate encounters issues with the CSV format, it doesn't leave you stranded. Instead, it provides an error log that points out exactly what needs to be adjusted, ensuring that users are aware of the issues and guided on how to resolve them effectively. This feature is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your quiz content and ensuring that the final outputs are as desired.

Benefits of Using CSV Files in Quiz Creation

Using CSV files for creating quizzes in Adobe Captivate offers multiple advantages:

• Efficiency: Import hundreds of questions simultaneously rather than entering them individually.

• Accuracy: Minimizes the risk of human error during data entry.

• Flexibility: It is easy to update or modify quizzes by simply editing the CSV file.

• Collaboration: Enables team members or subject matter experts who might not have Captivate to contribute directly to quiz content.

Conclusion

Importing quiz questions from CSV files is a powerful feature for educational content developers. More time to be spent crafting meaningful content and interactive learning experiences. Whether you're a teacher, trainer, or e-learning developer, understanding and using this feature can significantly enhance your productivity and content quality.

Call to Action

Are you interested in learning more tips and tricks about Adobe Captivate? Like, share, and subscribe to the Captivate Teacher channel on YouTube for valuable tutorials. If you need personalized help, consider hiring me for tailored one-on-one lessons to deepen your mastery of Captivate for your educational projects.

This integration promises to simplify question creation and ensure a robust mechanism for handling diverse question types and configurations, making it an essential skill for those working extensively with e-learning and quiz formats.