Session Descriptions

Monday: Captivate 3 Foundations

Session 1:  Captivate in One Hour

With this jump-start session, you will be up and running with Captivate in no time. Even if you already use Captivate, this session will give you tips and tricks to speed up the development process.  Produce one full lesson in an hour – let’s do it!

Session 2:  Templates

Templates are the foundation on which Captivate was built. Discuss how to set up templates for: soft-skill, simulation, quiz, and scenario based training. You will learn how to save development time by harnessing the power of Captivate templates.

*Attendee Bonus: Everyone will receive a starter pack of Lodestone Captivate 3 templates.

Session 3:  Adding Assets

This session will focus on the core elements that you add to a Captivate lesson. This includes: captions, images, flash animations, text animations and highlight boxes. You will receive best practice tips for each object while learning how to reduce your Captivate file size.   

Session 4:  Recording Demonstrations

Learn the inside secrets to creating impactful demonstration recordings in Captivate. We will explore recording strategies, how to properly set up Recording Settings, tips on Full Motion recording and getting your audio to sound amazing.

Tuesday: Captivate 3 Accelerate

Session 1:  Captions – In-Depth

During this session, you will take a detailed look at Captive captions and gain hands-on experience at creating a custom caption. You will learn how to add padding to a Caption by using the .FCM file, how to export and import caption text for multi-lingual delivery and determine the best methods for creating transparent text. 

Session 2:  Building Interactions

Master Captivate’s built in interactions including Rollover Caption, Rollover Image, and Zoom Area. Discover how to use the Rollover Slidelet object. Be amazed by the sample Lodestone interactions and all the different ways they can be leveraged for your eLearning delivery.  

Session 3:  Recording Simulations

Application simulations are one of the more difficult content items to build in any eLearning application. Watch how Captivate takes on the challenge and creates guided and assessment simulations for you. Discuss best practices and learn how to implement templates in order to streamline the recording process.

Session 4:  Branching and Scenario Training

Prepare to immerse your learners with engaging scenario based interactions in Captivate. Take advantage of the Branching tab by organizing structured question and answer slides.  Additionally, sample files, a detailed explanation of branching notation, slide grouping, and branching edits will be covered.

*Attendee Bonus: Example Branching slide templates will be provided.

Wednesday: Captivate 3 Power

Session 1:  Customizing Captivate Skins

Learn the nuances of Captivate’s Skin feature. Gain a better understanding of the interaction between your main .SWF file and the Captivate Skin .SWF. Customize your skin’s design, color and navigation bar, including removing the Info button. Discuss strategies for using Captivate’s Skin Menu for lesson branching and experience how the menu relates back to your course template.  

Session 2:  Captivate and Print Output

This session will cover the four main print outputs from Captivate: Handout, Lesson, Step by Step, and Storyboard. You will come away with advantages of using each print format and the options you can set. Learn how to modify your print document with custom headers and footers, including your corporate logo. Discuss how to use Captivate’s print output for both stand-up training supplements and for assistance during the development process. 

Session 3:  Flash CS3 Interactions and Games in Captivate

It’s time to spice up your Captivate movies with Flash CS3 interactions and games! See the relationship between Captivate and Flash and what you are able to do with imported animations. Get a better understanding of ActionScript and the Captivate object model. Review all the Flash animation options including Synch with Project and Looping.

Session 4:  Using Captivate Variables and Flash CS3

This session will take a closer look at Captivate variables and what you can create with them. You’ll jump into Flash CS3 and create animation widgets that: control the playback head, keep track of your current slide and exit out of your application.

*Attendee Bonus: Pre-made Lodestone variable widgets will be ready for you.

Thursday: Captivate 3 Media

Session 1:  Shooting Video for Captivate

Learn how to shoot sharp looking video for your training projects. Discuss how to use a green screen, lighting, audio and camera equipment. Get a primer for shooting video “on-the-fly” and how to keep your production costs low while producing high quality video.  

Session 2:  Editing and Publishing Video

Take your RAW video footage and learn how to make edits in Adobe Premiere CS3. Demonstrate how to add a key effect to your video, add a transition and export the final video out as .FLV. After this session, you will be able to explain .FLV video compression, and the differences between progressive and streaming video. 

Session 3:  Adobe Visual Communicator

Looking to produce headshots on the fly? With a webcam and Adobe Visual Communicator – you will be able to create amazing headshot video that will put your talent at any location. Learn how to set up the teleprompter, incorporate effects, titles and live video into one seamless presentation that can be used in Captivate.

Session 4: Audio in Captivate – Adobe SoundBooth CS3

Recording audio has never been easier with Captivate 3. You will explore the differences between object and slide audio and how to take advantage of each type. Additionally, learn: techniques for recording screen captures; USB microphones, audio editing and exporting.

Friday: Captivate 3 Applied

Session 1: Building Quizzes

Take a detailed look at all the various question types in Captivate, including:  Multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, short answer, matching, hot spot, sequence and rating scale. Discuss the logic behind the “flow” of a quiz, Graded questions versus Survey questions, and how to start tracking student information. You will also learn strategies for setting up Captivate Quiz templates for reuse in other projects.

Session 2: LMS Zen: Understanding SCORM

Have some fun with Learning Management Systems! – No really. This session will uncover the mysteries of setting up SCORM compliant files in Captivate. Review JavaScript communications with SCORM variables and discover how leading LMS communicate with Captivate, including SUM Total and Oracle iLearning.  

Session 3: Captivate on a iPod – Podcasting

Take advantage of Web 2.0 delivery by setting up your Captivate movies for iPod delivery.  Get the inside scoop on the best way to convert your Captivate .SWF files to MPEG4, and how to load the files on to an iPod.

*Attendee Bonus: Pre-made Lodestone iPod templates.