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T
TheEricE
Inspiring
May 20, 2014
Answered

Can the playbar widget be "non-linear?"

  • May 20, 2014
  • 2 replies
  • 651 views

Okay, guys, here's the scenario:

A relatively short lesson that has "branching" (in quotes because it's not real quiz branching that's dependant on user inputs) where a student lands on a "menu" slide (slide 9) that has buttons leading to 3 content groups (slides 10-12, slides 13-14, slide 15).  The student can choose which  order they want to view "content groups" and after each, are prompted to return to the menu (slide 9) to choose one of the remaining two etc.  After each "content group" is successfully completed/viewed, the student is prompted to take a quiz (slides 16-19).

Here's what I want to do:

I want the playbar buttons to follow those loops.  If a student is coming to the end of the first content section on 12 and hits next on the playbar, I'd like him/her to return to the menu on 9.  Same for hitting next on 14 and 15.  We want to avoid having the student getting to the quiz before clicking through all the content "branches."

Can I do it?  Can the "Next" button be made to follow those little content loops back to the menu slide on 9?  Should I build it as an aggregator project?  Would that do it?  I'll try and post my results while you guys are thinking about it....

Thanks in advnace. 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer TLCMediaDesign

No it cannot. Even though your course may have branching it it still linear to Captivate and will always go to the "Next" slide.

2 replies

eLearning Guy
eLearning Guy
Inspiring
May 20, 2014

This is a case where you may want to consider creating your own navigation using buttons/smartshapes. I haven't seen Captivate 8's playbars yet but I would be surprised if they didn't ditch the linear ones anyway as they are not very useful for mobile. Lilybiri's blog has all the info you need to create a better set of navigation controls than what Adobe provides. Between the actions and variables you can definitely do what you need. You could even set progress indicators from branch to branch (via variables), etc.

Lilybiri
Lilybiri
Legend
May 20, 2014

Thanks for pointing to my blog. I will almost never use a playbar, but with the present shape buttons, and shared actions, creating custom navigation is a breeze.

T
TheEricEAuthor
Inspiring
May 20, 2014


tireduser and lilybiri,

I agree with you guys.  "Do it yourself" usually works out better than the "do it automatic/fast" boxed options.  I was just hoping we could keep using our existing template (which includes the Captivate generated playbar and TOC) for this lesson as well.  Shouldn't be too hard to convince the bosses it isn't the best option in this case.  Might have to resize some content to make space for custom nav but it's what we'll do.

I do wish there were a way to have up, over and active states for smart shape buttons on the quiz slides though.  That's another ass kicker captivate threw in there just to bug me...no placing buttons on quiz slides but able to "use as button" w/ smartshapes.  Still a great program.  Just a few things that slow life down.  As a rule, do you guys use the quiz slides or create your own and "include in quiz?"

Thanks for the responses.  Did they take away the "helpful answer" points when they redid the forums?  I'm all about giving credit where credit is due.

TLCMediaDesign
TLCMediaDesignCorrect answer
Inspiring
May 20, 2014

No it cannot. Even though your course may have branching it it still linear to Captivate and will always go to the "Next" slide.

T
TheEricEAuthor
Inspiring
May 20, 2014

Yeah, that's what I was thinking but hoping wouldn't be the answer.  Thanks for dashing all my hopes and dreams TLC.  Aggregator comes close to what I want because it keeps everything as separate "modules" and won't progress from one to the other w/out navigating via the TOC but it doesn't link back to that common menu slide.  No worries...  I guess now I have to make the decision between inlcuding and excluding the playbar.  They're used to seeing it in they're other lessons but I'm not sure they'd ever have reason to actually use it in this one.  Might just be best to exclude it in this one...  I'll run it up the decision tree.

Thanks, TLC.  Have fun.

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