Can I Create a Pre-Test that Allows Learners to Test-Out of Viewing the Course Content?

On Day 2 of Articulate training, we tackle quizzing. The exercises highlight features in Storyline that support the creation of robust assessment activities where the learning doesn’t stop when the quiz starts. One question that is often raised that morning is whether Storyline supports pre-tests. Pre-tests could be used to:

• Introduce a course or topic and whet the appetite of the learner.
• Give experienced learners an opportunity to prove that they have already achieved mastery, and therefore do not need additional training.
• Tailor course content to the specific needs of the learner.

In this blog entry, we’ll focus on how the second type of pre-test could be designed and developed using Storyline, allowing learners to “test out” of taking the content by passing the pre-test.

Give the Learner a Choice

There is more than one way to approach this, but here is one possible solution that may work for you. For the sake of simplicity, we are presenting an option that uses only one Results Slide. Variables are not required, but we have used one True/False Variable to provide custom messaging and to allow for a different passing score on the pre-test vs. the post-test.

1. At the very beginning of the course, give learners the choice to either attempt the pre-test or go through the course content.

2. Create a True/False Variable and use it to track whether the learner chose to attempt the pre-test or not.

Build a Knowledge Check Scene

3. Create a scene that contains a quiz introduction slide and your quiz instructions. In our example, which can be downloaded here, we chose to utilize the Question Bank feature and inserted a Draw from a Question bank, which contains all your quiz questions.

Tip: This quiz will be used for both the pre-test and the post-test.

4. Design the “Quiz Introduction” slide to provide customized instructions to the learning, depending on whether they are taking the pre-test or the post-test. In our example, the post-test instructions are on the base layer, and the pre-test instructions are on a separate layer. There is a trigger to show the”Pre-test Introduction” layer if the “PreTest” variable is equal to True.

Develop a Results Slide

5. Insert a Results Slide (this may be done in a new scene, if you wish), and configure the passing score to match the threshold that the learner will have to achieve to pass the post-test.

6. Insert a “Failure-Pretest” layer on the Results Slide that will only be shown if the learner fails the pre-test. In this instance, the trigger to show the “Failure Pretest” layer would include conditions based on both the “PreTest” variable True AND the Quiz score being less than 100%.

Tip: To demonstrate mastery, you may require the learner to score 100% in order to pass the pre-test.

7. Configure the “Failure-Pretest” layer properties to hide the base layer. Then, on the layer, display the learner’s score and the passing score for the pre-test.

Tip: If the learner passes the pre-test, the “Success” layer will be shown. The learner can then be directed to exit the course.

8. Insert a “Start Course” button on the “Failure-Pretest” layer that jumps to the scene/slide that begins the course content. Create two additional triggers for this button: one to adjust the “PreTest” variable back to False, and a second to reset the results slide.

Tip: Adjust the trigger order so that the latter two triggers fire before the learner jumps to the content. This is a case where TRIGGER ORDER MATTERS. (We’ll cover this concept more in-depth in next month’s blog!)

Summary

That’s it! Take a look at our example in action at this link.

This simple framework will allow you to give your learners an opportunity to prove that they have already acquired the knowledge covered in your course. Seasoned pros will likely appreciate not being forced to take training they really don’t need.

This is just another example of the power and flexibility that are available when building your assessments in Storyline. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments.

~Shane

Update: Please note that the interface of the faster new trigger workflow (in Storyline 360 update 3.33.20625.0 or later) will appear slightly different! While the process is the same, this article uses screen captures from the classic trigger workflow.