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Do you need to send data from Articulate Storyline 360 to Google Sheets? Learn how.
Do you need to send data from Articulate Storyline 360 to Google Sheets? Learn how.
An empowering Hands-On Technical Tutorial
In this interactive tutorial, beginners are systematically guided and have plenty of opportunities to prepare themselves through various interactive activities (sorting, experimenting, building through software simulation, etc.). At the same time, more seasoned developers also enjoy the tips and tricks sprinkled throughout.
Audience: Articulate Storyline developers and instructional designers using Storyline to send data to Google Sheets for analysis.
Learning objective: Being confident in implementing data transfer from Storyline to Google Sheets, then following through with data analysis.
Responsibilities: Instructional design from conception to development.
Tools used for development: Articulate Storyline 360, Google Sheets, confetti.js.
The context
The context
Sending data from a learning experience developed in Articulate Storyline to Google Sheets for analysis can help answer various questions regarding the experience's content and usage. Additionally, the data and its analysis in Google Sheets can be pertinent and easily accessible to clients or collaborators.
The problem
The problem
Although sending data from Storyline to Google Sheets is fairly straightforward, it requires particular steps more adapted to coders than to the average instructional designer: extracting the data from Storyline using JavaScript and writing and deploying a Web Application in Google Apps Script.
An online search for guidance returns either outdated methods or examples too specific to be useful with various data sets.
The solution
The solution
This tutorial employs a well-thought-out strategy, in line with the ARCS model of instructional design, that will enable any determined instructional designer to purposefully transfer data from Storyline to Google Sheets.
Attention
Attention
The tutorial solves a real-life issue for instructional developers.
Various kinds of hands-on activities liven up the learning path.
The style of the tutorial is both straightforward and engaging.
Relevance
Relevance
The topic of the tutorial is relevant for many instructional designers.
Diverse hands-on activities are appropriately relevant to each section at hand.
Confidence
Confidence
I paid special attention to promoting the learner's confidence and sense of empowerment:
The endeavor is structured as a sequence of defined steps to be completed in a logical order.
There are testing steps in place to ensure that data extraction from Storyline and data input in Google Sheets go as expected.
For each stage, the tutorial enables the learner to engage with the concepts through a variety of interactive activities (sorting, experimenting, building through software simulation, and so on), mentally preparing the learner to carry out the steps independently in their own setting.
Two steps refer to the data analysis in Google Sheets for the learners less familiar with the tool.
Along the way, extra options, potentially useful for the learners' setting or interesting for the seasoned learner, are mentioned.
Satisfaction
Satisfaction
The tutorial, implemented itself with Articulate Storyline, allows for satisfying real Storyline data extraction examples. The new skills are applied in a realistic setting and learners are set up for success.
In addition, the simple mood-enhancing essential oils experience, described in this portfolio, is used as a practical example throughout, bringing forth an easy-to-follow real-life setup.
The learners get a certificate on which they assess the benefit of the tutorial for themselves, highlighting their satisfaction with their growing skills.
My process
My process
My familiarity with manipulating Google Spreadsheets using Google Apps Script was an asset when transferring data from Storyline to Google Sheets for the mood-enhancing essential oils experience described in this portfolio. To accomplish this task, I devised a logical process involving intermediary testing steps, which gave me the idea for this tutorial.
I analyzed the problem: The tutorial needs to guide and empower the learners throughout the entire process, knowing that the target audience may have very little knowledge of using JavaScript in Storyline and no knowledge of Apps Script in Google Sheets.
I identified the learning objective: In addition to learning to transfer data from Storyline to Google Sheets, I decided to include some data analysis in Google Sheets in the tutorial, as some instructional designers may be more familiar with Excel.
I mapped the main obstacle toward the learning objective: The tutorial had to include my testing steps to ensure the learners could truly understand the process and appreciate the control they could have over it.
I developed an organized interactive tutorial with many opportunities to engage with the concepts: For every step in the process, the learner is first learning about what it entails (Learn section) and then is prompted to participate in an activity that will prepare them to work the step for themselves (Prepare section).
I strived to empower the learners through auto-corrective activities throughout: In addition to a well-thought-out step-by-step approach, I devised diversified and engagingly challenging but auto-corrected activities to minimize frustration and maximize concept integration. Also, I created a customized certificate for the course, a well-deserved token for the learners' time and effort.
I created an interactive custom menu: I kept the Storyline Player Menu accessible but discreet and added access to an interactive custom menu with the benefit of clarifying the tutorial steps and methodology.
I ensured learners could copy and reuse the code templates: I used the Resources option in the Storyline Player for the learners to access PDF versions of the code templates.
Tutorial Step 1 : Why and How?
Tutorial Step 1 : Why and How?
Learn Section
Learn Section
Why? There is nothing more motivational for adults than knowing why it is useful to learn something.
How? This is the first introduction to the series of steps necessary to transfer data from Storyline to Google Sheets and then analyze the data.
Prepare Section
Prepare Section
This is the interactive opportunity to get familiar with the steps necessary to transfer data from Storyline to Google Sheets: First, sort the steps in the correct category and then use the interactive timeline for the summary.
Tutorial Step 2 : Gathering Storyline data
Tutorial Step 2 : Gathering Storyline data
Learn Section
Learn Section
The JavaScript First, identify the data to extract and the point(s) of extraction in Storyline. Then, write a JavaScript to extract the values of the Storyline variables and launch it through a well-placed trigger.
The Console An interactive video shows how to use the Developer Tools' Console to check what data has been extracted from Storyline through the JavaScript. The example of extracting data from the Mood Enhancing Essential Oils experience is introduced.
Prepare Section
Prepare Section
The learner can immediately experiment with sending values from Storyline and viewing them in their own Console. Additionally, the know-how to extract Storyline built-in variables is revealed during the learners' interaction.
Tutorial Step 3 : Initializing the Spreadsheet
Tutorial Step 3 : Initializing the Spreadsheet
Learn Section
Learn Section
Initializing the Spreadsheet Take a guided tour to learn how to set up your receiving Google Spreadsheet appropriately.
TryItOut function Going from tab to tab, follow the process to write your own testing tryItOut function. Then assess if you can populate your spreadsheet with your own data. Use the file available through the Resources menu to copy a code template.
Prepare Section
Prepare Section
Challenge yourself to select the appropriate line of code. Click on the hint button for help or to review the concepts.
Tutorial Step 4 : doPost
Tutorial Step 4 : doPost
Learn Section
Learn Section
Writing the doPost function Using most of the code from the tryItOut function, add a doPost function to your Apps Script. Use the file available through the Resources menu to copy a code template.
Deploying the Web App Follow the guiding video to learn how to deploy your Apps Script code as a web application.
Prepare Section
Prepare Section
Using the interactive video, prepare yourself in case of code change/correction, when you need to know how to maintain the web application without changing its URL.
Tutorial Step 5 : Fetch API
Tutorial Step 5 : Fetch API
Learn Section
Learn Section
Sending Storyline data Go back to the JavaScript triggered to extract data from Storyline and add the call to the Fetch API using your Web App URL. Use the file available through the Resources menu to copy a code template.
The Network Tab An interactive video shows how to use the Developer Tools' Network tab to check on what data has been extracted from Storyline through the JavaScript, and received by the Web App.
Prepare Section
Prepare Section
Let's fill-in-the-colors (a version of fill-in-the-blanks) to get comfortable with the difference between the terms JavaScript, Apps Script, and Web App.
Tutorial Step 6 : Data Analysis
Tutorial Step 6 : Data Analysis
Learn Section
Learn Section
Data Analysis Use Google Sheets functionalities to analyze the data from Storyline to eventually visualize it.
Data Preparation Examples of how basic formulas can be used to isolate pertinent information from the data.
Prepare Section
Prepare Section
Watch videos showing how to build a column chart and a donut pie chart. Or be guided, through software simulation, to build a specific bar chart!
Tutorial Step 7 : Real-Time Dashboard
Tutorial Step 7 : Real-Time Dashboard
Learn Section
Learn Section
Real-Time Dashboard Gather the live results of your data analysis in one convenient place, and choose which types of visuals are the most relevant.
Dashboard Content Example of the visual choices for the pertinent information from the Mood Enhancing Essential Oils experience. Some charts do not need intermediary steps to be created.
Prepare Section
Prepare Section
Following a template, challenge yourself to organize dashboard charts in a meaningful way.
Tutorial Step 8 : Keep in mind
Tutorial Step 8 : Keep in mind
Learn Section
Learn Section
Keep in mind Use the flipcards to explore data security concerns and possible extensions.
Certificate A custom certificate for the learners and a little anonymous feedback for me.
Prepare Section
Prepare Section
Learners can use Storyline Print functionality to print (or save as PDF) their custom certificates. They can also send anonymous feedback with the now-acquired know-how to verify its anonymity with their browser's Developer Tools.
Ready to turn knowledge into action with learner-focused, effective learning experiences? Let's chat.
Ready to turn knowledge into action with learner-focused, effective learning experiences? Let's chat.
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