Articulate 360 – Detailed Explanation

Articulate 360 – Detailed Explanation

Articulate 360 is a comprehensive suite of eLearning authoring tools designed for creating interactive and engaging online courses. It offers a set of tools that enables educators, instructional designers, and businesses to design high-quality online courses and training programs.

1- On which platform are the tools used?

Articulate 360 is primarily a Windows-based tool but also provides cloud-based features.

  • Windows:
    Most of the tools in Articulate 360, such as Storyline, Rise, Replay, and Peek, are designed for Windows operating systems (Windows 7 or later).
  • Cloud:
    Rise is a cloud-based application that allows users to create courses entirely within a web browser, while other tools may require desktop installation.

2- What hardware requirements are needed?

To run Articulate 360 effectively, the following hardware is recommended:

  • Operating System:
    • Windows: Windows 7 or later (64-bit).
  • Processor:
    A dual-core processor or better, with a speed of at least 2 GHz.
  • RAM:
    At least 4 GB of RAM; 8 GB is recommended for optimal performance.
  • Disk Space:
    10 GB of free hard drive space or more for smooth operation.
  • Display:
    A screen resolution of at least 1280×800.
  • Internet:
    A stable internet connection is required for cloud-based tools, updates, and accessing Articulate’s resources.

3- Installation and membership stages

Installation Process:

  1. Sign Up:
    • Visit the Articulate 360 website and sign up for an account.
    • You can start with a free trial or purchase a subscription plan.
  2. Download and Install:
    • Once you’ve signed up or purchased a plan, download the Articulate 360 desktop app from the website.
    • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation on your Windows device.
  3. Access to Cloud Features:
    • You can access the cloud-based tools (such as Rise) directly through your browser by logging into your Articulate account.

Membership Stages:

  • Free Trial:
    You can start with a 30-day free trial of Articulate 360, which includes access to all the features.
  • Subscription Plans:
    After the trial, Articulate 360 operates on a subscription model, with the following main options:
    • Individual Plan: For solo eLearning professionals.
    • Team Plan: For businesses and teams with collaboration features.
    • Enterprise Plan: For large organizations with extended control and team management features.

4- What can it be used for?

Articulate 360 is a versatile eLearning toolset, and it can be used for:

  • Creating Interactive eLearning Courses:
    With tools like Storyline and Rise, users can build highly interactive, multimedia-rich courses.
  • Online Training Programs:
    Businesses and educators can design employee training programs, onboarding materials, compliance training, and more.
  • Assessments and Quizzes:
    Articulate 360 has built-in options for creating quizzes, surveys, and assessments, which can be embedded into courses for learner evaluation.
  • Collaborative Course Development:
    With cloud-based tools, team collaboration is easier, allowing multiple users to work on courses together in real time.
  • Mobile-Friendly Course Development:
    The courses created are mobile-responsive, which ensures they work seamlessly on smartphones and tablets.

5- What is its prominent feature compared to other tools?

Articulate 360 offers several notable features compared to other eLearning tools:

  • Storyline:
    It’s an industry-leading authoring tool that allows users to create complex, interactive courses with rich multimedia elements. It’s very similar to PowerPoint but with advanced interactivity options.
  • Rise:
    Rise is a web-based authoring tool that allows you to create responsive courses without needing to code. It’s ideal for creating quick, mobile-friendly courses.
  • Collaboration Tools:
    Articulate 360 includes Review, a collaboration tool that lets team members and stakeholders give feedback on courses in real time, making the feedback loop much quicker.
  • Content Library:
    Articulate offers an extensive content library with templates, characters, and assets that help users create professional-quality courses easily.
  • Mobile Compatibility:
    All Articulate 360 content is fully responsive across devices, meaning courses work on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

6- Sample application made with pictures

Example: Creating an Interactive Course on “Customer Service Training”

  1. Step 1:
    Create the course using Storyline or Rise. In this example, let’s use Rise for a quick, responsive course.
  2. Step 2:
    Add interactive modules that include videos, quizzes, and real-world scenarios.
  3. Step 3:
    Include a Knowledge Check quiz at the end to evaluate learner progress.

Picture of the Course Interface:

7- Which courses can it be used in and is compatible with?

Articulate 360 is suitable for a wide range of courses, including:

  • Corporate Training:
    Ideal for onboarding, compliance, leadership, and soft skills training.
  • Higher Education:
    Used by universities for designing interactive courses, assessments, and virtual classroom modules.
  • K-12 Education:
    Teachers can create engaging lessons and interactive educational content.
  • Professional Development:
    It is widely used for continuing professional development (CPD) programs, certifications, and skills training.
  • Custom Learning Projects:
    For creating tailored learning experiences for specific industries or sectors.

8- Is it free?

Articulate 360 is not free, but it offers a 30-day free trial that gives users full access to all the features.

After the trial, a subscription is required. Pricing depends on whether you are purchasing an individual license or a team/enterprise license.

9- Links related to Articulate 360

Articulate 360 is a powerful eLearning development suite that offers a range of tools for designing interactive courses and training programs. With a focus on mobile-friendly content, real-time collaboration, and professional-quality templates, it’s one of the leading tools for instructional designers and educators.