Technology in Learning: Using 360 images & 3D images in Articulate Storyline
Do you ever feel overwhelmed with the what seems like constant barrage of new technology? Do you feel like you should be implementing and incorporating each new “fun tool” in your learning designs? Sometimes I do to! It can be so tempting to include a new piece of technology just because it’s cool and shiny! That’s why it’s important that we analyze the technology and only include tools that support learning for our users.
In this blog, I will break down the benefits and limitations of creating and using 360 images and 3D images in Articulate Storyline.
360 degree image in Storyline
Using 360 images in Storyline
Storyline recently added the 360 degree image feature and fully supports this technology. This allows a designer to create fully interactive and immersive learning experiences and engage learners with markers and hotspots. You can add stock 360 images or create your own. Since we are discussing the pros and cons of creating our own content, let’s walk through how you can create and use your own 360 degree image.
Benefits of creating and using 360 degree images
Google Street View is a free app that you can download on both Android and Apple products. When you open the app, you can click on Create and then Photo Sphere. The app will guide you in how and where to point your camera to capture images from all angles. When you are done, it will stitch the individual images together to create a 360 degree image without the need for another app or software. You can then either publicly publish the image (with location data) or privately share via email (with no location data).
Once a 360 degree image is added to Storyline, you can add hotspots, markers, and triggers to any area. In this example, I added a hotspot with a button to trigger a jump to another slide. Learners feel like they are immersed in an environment and can fully interact with it. The possibilities are abundant with this tool: think escape room, taking learners to new places for virtual tours, exploration and more.
Limitations of creating and using 360 degree images
While the app is very straightforward and easy to use, it does take some practice to create a realistic image. For example, the first few attempts at capturing the creek, I had trouble getting the entire area without holes or my feet in the image.
3D image of a fossil with a dial to rotate
Using 3D images in Storyline
3D images are another technology tool to help the learner interact with an eLearning module. Storyline does not currently support adding 3D images directly; however, there are a few ways to workaround this to give your learners the feeling that they are manipulating objects. You can upload the image and embed it as an object to your project or use images and states with triggers. You can use stock 3D images or create your own using a method called photogrammetry. Photogrammetry allows a user to take a physical object and convert it to a 3D image using pictures (a tutorial for doing this coming soon!).
Benefits of creating and using 3D images
3D images and models allow the learner to interact with objects that might otherwise be inaccessible. For example, it might be difficult for an educator to have various fossils available in the classroom, but with the 3D model in this module, students can manipulate the fossil and look at it from various angles. This gives them a closer look and better idea of what these fossils look like compared to still images. You can use dials and sliders in Storyline to mimic the effect of rotating an object. To create your own 3D image using photogrammetry, you need a camera (your phone should work just fine) and 3 pieces of software. Meshroom, Blender, and Instant Meshes are all free and open source and have many tutorials available online. This makes the process of creating your own 3D image low-cost and accessible.
Limitations of creating and using 3D images
As I mentioned above, Storyline does not fully support 3D images. While there are workarounds, it does take additional time and programming to achieve the desired effect (check out this tutorial to learn how to add this animation). Another limitation to creating your own 3D images is the time required to learn and execute the skill. While the programs are free and you can find multiple tutorials for each, they are complicated and not intuitive, so it does take time and trial and error to master them. These programs also require a robust computer to run and complete the steps.
Overview
As a learning experience designer, it is important that you understand and pay attention to new technology. Staying on the cusp of new tools will allow you to stand out and disrupt how learning is experienced in your industry. However, it is equally important that you research and understand the benefits and limitations of incorporating the technology - both from your perspective and the perspective of your learners. Just because something is new and cool, some ideas and technologies do not add to the learning experience and should not be added.
When creating eLearning experiences in Storyline, if your goals include creating immersive and interactive modules, 360 degree images and 3D images are great tools to incorporate. When used intentionally, they add to the learning experience and give the learner a sense of agency, create novelty, and can aid in retention of the material.
I’m curious to know your thoughts and hear about your experiences using these tools. Leave a comment below and let me know if you have used them or want to learn more about using them!
Megan