Audio and video media are a big part of modern course design. Most courses will include narration or use videos to teach key points. Media can be a powerful tool and Lectora® gives you the ability to use media to execute powerful actions. This is known as Media Sync Events.
Put simply, Media Sync Events allows you to use your media clip as a timeline to trigger Actions within Lectora. This could be used to illustrate a conversation between two cut-out characters from the ELB Learning Asset Library, changing poses when tied to an audio clip. Another common use case would be to pop up a question at key points during a video to engage the learner and check understanding. You could also use an Event to send an xAPI statement to your LRS when a learner reaches a certain point in a video. Really the possibilities are quite extensive!
In the video tutorials below I’ll show just a couple of these examples and walk you through how to build them using Media Sync Events. This process is actually quite easy and can be done by anyone with a basic understanding of Lectora.
Audio Sync Events
In this first tutorial, we’ll walk through an example using an audio clip to trigger the events.
Download the file I use in the video here.
For reference, the steps are included below. They will work in Lectora Online and Lectora Desktop in an identical fashion.
These steps work the same way no matter if you’re using audio or video as your timing mechanism.
- Select your audio file in the Project Explorer
- Navigate to Properties on the Ribbon. It will appear as a yellow tab when the media file is selected in the project explorer
- In the Playback Options section select Sync Events. This will open the Events Editor window.
- Use the preview window on the left side to preview your media clip.
- Tip: Although you can select the play/pause button on the controller, I find it easiest to select the playback window to play or pause my media
- When you reach a point in your media clip where you would like to trigger an event, select Add Event to pause the playback and insert the event.
- Select your Action and Target from the dropdowns.
- You can also name the Event by selecting its name in the Name column of the Events table.
- Repeat this process as often as you need to.
- Note: Unless you are using Action Groups you have already configured, you will need to add a new event to trigger multiple Actions at a particular timecode
- When you are done select OK
- Navigate to Run or Preview to preview your Events timed to your media.
- Fine-tune as needed.
- Note: You can enter the Event time manually if you would like to in the Events table. Be sure to use the correct format used in the table.
Video Sync Events
In this next tutorial, we’ll walk through an example using an audio clip to trigger the events. You’ll notice this is very similar to the first but I’ve added an action group to trigger multiple actions with a single event.
Download the file I use in the video here.
For reference, the steps are included below. They will work in Lectora Online and Lectora Desktop in an identical fashion.
These steps work the same way no matter if you are using audio or video as your timing mechanism.
- Select your video file in the Project Explorer
- Navigate to Properties on the Ribbon. It will appear as a yellow tab when the media file is selected in the project explorer
- In the Playback Options section select Sync Events. This will open the Events Editor window.
- Use the preview window on the left side to preview your media clip.
- Tip: Although you can select the play/pause button on the controller, I find it easiest to select the playback window to play or pause my media
- When you reach a point in your media clip where you would like to trigger an event select Add Event to pause the playback and insert the event.
- Select your Action and Target from the dropdowns.
- You can also name the Event by selecting its name in the Name column of the Events table.
- Repeat this process as often as you need to.
- Note: Unless you are using Action Groups you have already configured, you will need to add a new event to trigger multiple Actions at a particular timecode
- When you are done select OK
- Navigate to Run or Preview to preview your Events timed to your media.
- Fine-tune as needed.
- Note: You can enter the Event time manually if you would like to in the Events table. Be sure to use the correct format used in the table.
Media Sync events give you a powerful way to add action to your courses. You have tons of possibilities with this feature so experiment for yourself and see how it works.
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