I am new to adobe captivate

Hi Mary,

1. To learn Captivate, we have compiled a list of resources, which you will find very useful. Please visit, https://elearning.adobe.com/2017/06/i-am-a-newbie-in-adobe-captivate-are-there-any-resources-to-get-me-started/

2 and 3. Please see the answers by other members.

Thanks,

Saurav

I will try to add some more information than what is already provided by other users

1. what is the best way to learn captivate? is it better to create a project or just import a ppt? what is the down side of importing a ppt?

Do not use a ppt as start for an eLearning project. Each PPT-slide will be converted in a movie slide and you'll have no way of editing the individual objects. Powerpoint is a presentation tool, Captivate is an eLearning tool. Focus of eLearning is to engage the learner, by using interactivity. You need to start Captivate from scratch to be able to create that type of courses. Look at this blog post, where I explained based on my experience what the big stumbling blocks are for newbies. Focus on them, try to learn how the Timeline is used to create interactivity, what the design and possiblities are for Quizzes and how you can streamline the design (and save time) by using Themes as they should be used. For step-by-step work flows you can turn to videos or to blog posts, depending on your learning style. But understanding those three important topics needs more than just step-by-step videos.

Challenges for Starters - Captivate blog

2. does it have the ability to have a student log in, take part of the course and log back in later to finish it?

This is indeed a typical feature of a Learning Management System. Captivate is designed to be used in collaboration with such a SCORM compliant LMS. Moodle is a free LMS, Captivate also offers the possibility to test a course in SCORM Cloud. You can use an internal server instead of a LMS, but than you'll need more programming skills.

3. does it have the ability to set up a course within a course.. for example, course one is slide 1-30, and course 2 is slide 1-65 (which is course one plus 35 more slides).. and if so, can the student get a certificate of completion after either one?

Again, typical feature of a LMS. Although it is possible to create a package of several SCORM-compliant courses using the Scorm packager included with Captivate. You can create a certificate inside of Captivate or link to it from Captivate and allow the user only to be able to get that certificate on completion.

As far as learning Captivate, I recommend the basic and advanced training on Lynda.com. I found their lessons to be lifesavers!

Hi Mary,

Welcome to Adobe Forum.

PFB my comments:

1. what is the best way to learn captivate? is it better to create a project or just import a ppt? what is the down side of importing a ppt?

The best way is to create a project. Importing a PPT will be a quick way of creating a project; however, captivate is way more than just importing a PPT and the options are limitless.

2. does it have the ability to have a student log in, take part of the course and log back in later to finish it?

Captivate is an authoring tool, means it can be used only to create an elearning moudle. To run this module you will require an LMS system.

3. does it have the ability to set up a course within a course.. for example, course one is slide 1-30, and course 2 is slide 1-65 (which is course one plus 35 more slides).. and if so, can the student get a certificate of completion after either one?

No, this is not possible. However, you can build blocks in an LMS system and join two different lessons. The initiation criteria of the second lesson can be attempt or passing marks in the first assessment.

I hope this answers your queries. Cheers!!