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Monday, June 01, 2009

eLearning Script Tools

I received an inquiry from a reader who was trying to find tools that they should use for creating their eLearning Script.  They are in a Mac and PC environment and they have to pass scripts around fairly widely for review and input.  The scripts are for eLearning with media (voice-over and video).  They are considering a pretty wide range of solutions from eLearning specific, to media specific, to standard tools like Word and PowerPoint, to doing it as rapid prototypes using an authoring tool.

I was going to respond and then I realized that I hadn't looked at tools in this space in quite a while, so I'd like to hear from readers:

What do you use to create your eLearning Scripts?

What tools should this person consider?

 

Please add your comments.  I'll try to compile things in this post a bit like we do in the Big Question so that it becomes a pretty good resource based on responses.

12 comments:

Robert Kennedy said...

Well, I personally don't use anything other than templates I have created in Word or Powerpoint. But I have heard of and come across software like Mindview, Script Wizard, Storyboard Tools, and StoryBoard Pro by Toon Boom. Some are more expensive and I think the majority of them were for use by filmmakers. But for eLearning scripting, its just as easy to use Word or Powerpoint once you have a template created.

Cheryl McNeil said...

I wish I knew more about create javascripts in Captivate. I use Captivate 3 all the time to create software application and soft skills training.

Cheryl McNeil

Anonymous said...

Assuming there are multiple reviewers, for prose-style scripts, I use a Google Docs online word processor.

For A/B scripts I use a Google Docs spreadsheet. I put the words on column A and the supporting graphics, pull quotes etc in column B. I usually include a column C for comments and notes.

To me, the benefits of doing it this include: it's free, it makes the collaboration part MUCH easier, and I never need to worry about document version control.

I've also used wikis in the past with good success.

Cheers,
Doug Flather

skolanet said...

After using Excel for a long time now I use Celtx: http://celtx.com

CStadler said...

I would suggest that you check out Celtx. It is free, easy-to-use, available for both Windows and Mac, and can do a lot more than just script writing.

I have used it to storyboard, script, and plan out everything from elearning voice-overs to instructional videos.

Another upside is that it will export the script, shot list, and schedule, to formats that professional voice talent and producers are familiar with.

They do offer a paid service that will host your project files and simplify collaboration and revisions.

http://celtx.com

I hope this information helps!
Chris Stadler

Sushil said...

Just a vague thought that if one can consider to use Articulate with Powerpoint templates for quick prototyping of media intensive elearning. Articulate provides easy way and interface to integrate these media into courseware. Not necessarily the end product should be Articulate based but one can review the material more properly than just Powerpoint and Word doc.

Technic Dude said...

Very informative post. Keep it up!

Laura said...

I use a MS Word table for script and text storyboarding. I also use PowerPoint for visual storyboarding. That works well for clients to be able to see some sort of product.

Joe Deegan said...

I try to keep it simple by using various templates I have created in Word. I find by using a simple table in Word you focus more on the content of the storyboard rather than the tool you are using to create it. If I need to provide a more visual prototype I will dump it into a power point. Another benefit of keeping it simple with Word is that everyone has Word making it easy to have others review. Not everybody is going to be edit scripts in fancy story boarding software.

Unknown said...

*Really* interesting that people are recommending Celtx. I think it's a great tool, but it hadn't occurred to me to use it for scripting, other than possibly for A/V work. The collaboration features seem especially promising for elearning design (and the fee-based service is VERY inexpensive). For anyone who is interested, I do know that Celtx is being used in K12 classrooms for some really creative assignments.

Unknown said...

BTW, Tony, in answer to your original question, I do think that Word is still the de facto tool for storyboarding in most organizations. A good template is available here: http://elearninglive.com/wordpress/2007/04/free-storyboarding-template/

MilesDavisSucks said...

We use a FileMaker database as it works on both Mac/PC and it's very easy to use and create database forms. The databases can also be published on the web for collaboration. Our content is exported to XML and we've written some scripts to output XML directly from FileMaker.