Supported Storyboard Types
Storyboards are the building blocks of the content created in the Impression Content Creation Tool and cover a wide range of functionality. They can be used to display text, graphics, and animations; and are used to present information, provide interactivity, and test learners.
Integrated Storyboard Types
Note that the available storyboard types (and options) for any given content database are controlled through the selected project properties.
The Impression Content Creation Tool includes explicit support for the following storyboard types:
| Storyboard Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | The Title storyboard type is a screen with a fixed visual appearance that is used to introduce students to lesson content. |
| Summary | The Summary storyboard type is a text screen typically used to reinforce and wrap-up lesson content. It is often used to present aggregate information, such as student scoring. |
| Canvas | The Canvas storyboard type is a still graphic-based storyboard that can be assigned overlay elements and interactive actions. |
| Flash Video | The Flash Video storyboard type places both “traditional” and “stepped” .SWF Flash animations. |
| Rich Text | The Rich Text storyboard type displays a screen of formatted text. This screen type supports a subset of the RTF specification. |
| Flash Object | The Flash Object storyboard type displays an embedded Flash .SWF file that can be built for one- or two-way communication with the runtime engine. |
| Placeholder | Placeholder storyboards are common screens that do not change from lesson to lesson within a course, such as a copyright or disclaimer screen. |
| Menu | The Menu storyboard type is used as an organization and navigation tool when developing courseware with nonlinear navigation. |
| Container | Container storyboards are typically used as an aggregation and navigation aid when developing courseware with a nonlinear learning pathway. |
| Multiple-Choice Text | The Multiple-Choice Text storyboard is the same as the Multiple-Choice Graphics type, but uses text for the answer and distractors. |
| Multiple-Choice Graphics | The Multiple-Choice Graphics storyboard type is a multiple-choice question that can be formatted with one correct graphic answer and up to three graphic distractors. |
| Matching Text to Graphics | The Matching Text to Graphics storyboard type is a matching question that can be formatted with directions, four text question/graphic answer pairs, and one graphic distractor. |
| Matching Text to Text | The Matching Text to Text storyboard type is the same as the Matching Text to Graphics type, but uses text for the answers and distractor. |
| Matching Graphics to Graphics | Identical to the other Matching types, but uses graphics for questions, answers, and the distractor. |
| Matching Graphics to Text | Matching with four graphic question/text answer pairs, and one text distractor. |
| Flash Question | Flash Question storyboards support the same communication mechanisms as a Flash Object storyboard, but include editing support for the shared question-related properties defined in the project. |
| Simulation | The Simulation storyboard type supports scripting and management of interactive simulations. |
Custom Storyboard Types
In addition to the specific storyboard types listed above, the Content Creation Tool also supports custom storyboard types. These storyboard types have no specific role, but allow for entry of any data required for a project.
The Impression Content Creation Tool includes support for the following custom storyboard types:
| Storyboard Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Command Sequencer | The Command Sequencer storyboard supports editing of a user-defined collection of common properties and an ordered list of commands, where each command is a collection of properties. Any number of commands can be defined. |
| Audio Sequencer | Similar to the Command Sequencer, but includes an explicit reference to an audio file in the collection of common properties, and an audio timestamp in each command. Typically used to create screens that synchronize their display to audio. |
| Time Sequencer | Similar to the Audio Sequencer, but without the mandatory reference to the audio file. Each command includes a timestamp. Typically used to create screens that synchronize their display to a clock. |
| Command | The Command storyboard supports a single collection of user-defined properties. Any number of collections can be defined, but only one collection can be selected per storyboard. Typically used to create screens that have no integrated equivalent. |
Further Reading
To learn more about custom storyboard types and storyboard commands, refer to the article in the Support section of the Impression web site.
To learn how to use the Command storyboard to create a Multiple-Select Text and/or Multiple-Select Graphics question, refer to the technical article “Supporting Multiple-Select Questions in the CCT” in the Support section of the Impression web site.