Does anyone know of any good storyboarding software?

Features that would be appealing:

1. E-Learning specific
2. Web-based
3. Built-in collaboration tools and workflow approvals

Thanks,

Sheldon

You might consider this: Is designing as series of screen really the best way to ensure that learners will learn something? IMHO storyboard software has pretty much gone out of fashion because a lot of e-Learning these days is basically "presentation-level CBT", and tools that leverage PowerPoint to do that are a dime a dozen. For those, PowerPoint slides are in effect the storyboard. On the other hand, you will find instructional designers who take a more experiential approach and despise presentation level CBT. Storyboards are not very useful in designing a "learn by doing" learning experience which involves an internalized cognitive process rather than looking at things. Some of the more advanced authoring tools work with simulations or interactive features that are better described using narrative or TV script techniques than a traditional storyboard.

I should further clarify that I am looking for the type that captures the content, scripts for graphics, audio, and video, and perhaps the visual piece, but that's really secondary. Not looking for Powerpoint or similar.

We've developed many highly interactive Flash-based custom courses, and are looking at some technologies to assist with the process of capturing information from SME clients and using instructional design techniques to turn it into a course.

I've seen a good example, but they're out of business now, and looking for alternatives.

Thanks,

Sheldon

Storyboarding comes after the instruction is designed - it's a result of the sound instructional design. You don't need anything fancy -- we have created extremely robust, rich multimedia CBTs from simple storyboards that simply have columns that describe each element (script, stage, etc.)

Learning is not about throwing content up there. It's from creating opportunities to connect with new knowledge and skill. Design the learning, then layout how the learner can encounter it via the computer (assuming CBT is an appropriate delivery medium in the first place).

Sheldon,

I am just finishing development of a new software tool - the Storyboarder Pro - specifically tailored for creating e-learning storyboards in Microsoft Word.

The created storyboards are regular Word documents you can send out for review to your SMEs and clients (is this what you meant Web-basing for?).

The tool provides a rich library of storyboard templates (fully customizeable and extensible), a flowchart diagram where you design the navigation and branching sequence, and a tree view of your course where you manage the logical course structure - modules, lessons etc. Also it is planned to implement the export to XML feature, which is very promising in rapid development systems.

The Word itself provides very powerful collaboration tools and workflow control - such as version control, comments, track changes, shared workspace, online collaboration etc. and it is ubiquitous and familiar to everybody.

I plan to ship Storyboarder Pro in early March 2007, it has now entered the alpha testing phase and I'm working on the website - http://www.StoryboarderPro.com. You can read more about the product at http://www.AuthorJet.com and you are also welcome to participate in the survey for features also there, if you like. Also, I'll begin the public beta-testing phase soon, so anyone interested is invited to join. Subscribe to the AuthorJet newsletter to stay informed.

I'd like to hear what you think. It's a pity that the demo isn't ready yet, but I'd hate to lose your attention now, because you may become interested and provide some valuable opinions.

Oleg Krupnov
http://www.AuthorJet.com
http://www.StoryboarderPro.com