eLearning Script Template and Worked Storyboard

Choose an eLearning script template that connects a learning objective to the screen action, narration, learner response, and feedback. This original storyboard teaches one task: sorting lesson files by their role. Adapt its nine screens or use the blank worksheet rows for your own lesson.

The editable storyboard CSV includes every worked screen and six blank rows. This is a planning example with an invented folder convention; its duration and learning results have not been tested. The complete exercise can be answered in text without real project files.

Start with an objective you can check

The intended learner already understands files and folders. This lesson teaches a classification decision, rather than how to operate a particular file manager. The objective is:

Given the stated roles of three lesson files, assign each to a source, working, or export folder and explain why a PDF extension alone cannot decide its folder.

Learning objective for the original practice lesson

Carnegie Mellon University's instructional alignment guidance connects objectives, activities, and assessments. Apply it by demonstrating the role decision, asking for classifications, and checking the reason.

These checks describe intended responses. Before release, observe people from the intended audience trying the lesson and revise any ambiguous instructions.

Keep production directions separate from spoken copy

Use the CSV's screen_action and on_screen_text fields for the visual plan. Put only recordable words in spoken_narration. Use learner_action, check_question, and answer_and_feedback for the response sequence. The accessible_equivalent field carries relevant information in text; review_note and revision_status track outstanding checks. row_type, lesson_id, beat_id, and learning_objective keep each row identifiable. These are the worksheet's 13 columns.

Worked eLearning script: sort three lesson files

The quotations are complete spoken copy. The screen notes summarize the visual plan; the CSV contains full directions, visible text, and equivalent text. No file movement is required to answer the exercise.

Screen 1: state the task

Screen: Show the goal and the three file labels with their roles.

In this lesson, you will sort three sample files into source, working, and export folders. You will also explain why two PDF files can belong in different folders. We will use a reference document, an editable slide deck, and a finished handout. These are practice examples; use the descriptions to make each choice.

Original spoken copy: 01-objective

Screen 2: explain the folder convention

Screen: Display 01-source, 02-working, and 03-export with their definitions. This convention belongs to the example.

Our practice project has three folders. Zero one, source, holds reference inputs. Zero two, working, holds editable files we are still developing. Zero three, export, holds finished copies prepared for learners. Decide by the file's role in this project. A PDF can be a reference input or a finished output.

Original spoken copy: 02-folder-rule

Screen 3: model a source decision

Screen: Show reference-notes.pdf, labeled reference material, inside 01-source.

Reference-notes dot PDF was supplied as reference material for the lesson. It goes in zero one, source. Its role is an input to our work. The PDF format does not tell us that; the description of how we use the file does.

Original spoken copy: 03-model-source

Screen 4: model a working-file decision

Screen: Show lesson-slides.pptx, labeled editable draft, inside 02-working.

Lesson-slides dot P P T X is the editable deck we are still revising. It goes in zero two, working. We expect to change this file while developing the lesson. The folder describes that current role; it does not mean every slide file is always a working file.

Original spoken copy: 04-model-working

Screen 5: model an export decision

Screen: Show lesson-handout.pdf inside 03-export and compare its role with the source PDF.

Lesson-handout dot PDF is the finished copy prepared for learners. It goes in zero three, export. Compare it with reference-notes dot PDF in source. Both files are PDFs, but one is an input and the other is a finished output. Their roles explain the different destinations.

Original spoken copy: 05-model-export

Screen 6: request a practice response

Screen: Show all three roles, blank destinations, and the explanation prompt. Keep the answer hidden.

Now make the three choices yourself. Reference-notes dot PDF is supplied reference material. Lesson-slides dot P P T X is the deck still being revised. Lesson-handout dot PDF is the finished learner copy. Write the folder for each, then explain why the two PDFs have different destinations. Pause here to answer before continuing.

Original spoken copy: 06-practice

Screen 7: explain the answer

Screen: Reveal all three mappings and their reasons. Keep the correction readable, rather than using color or a chime alone.

Check your choices. Reference-notes belongs in source, lesson-slides in working, and lesson-handout in export. The two PDFs have different destinations because their roles differ: reference input and finished output. If you put both PDFs together, revisit the role descriptions, then try again. If you matched all three, check that your explanation mentions their roles.

Original spoken copy: 07-practice-feedback

Screen 8: check a new example

Screen: Show the new file role and three folder options. Keep feedback on the next screen.

Here is a new file: review-checklist dot PDF. You received it as reference material while planning the lesson; it is not a handout prepared for learners. Which folder fits: source, working, or export? Write your choice and the role that supports it. Pause here, then continue to compare your answer.

Original spoken copy: 08-new-file-check

Screen 9: close with the rule

Screen: Reveal 01-source with its reason and the three folder definitions.

Review-checklist belongs in zero one, source, because it is a received reference input. Its PDF extension does not make it an export. For this project, ask what the file is doing: informing the work, being edited, or being delivered to learners. Use that role to choose source, working, or export.

Original spoken copy: 09-new-file-feedback

Plan narration, captions, and equivalent text

W3C's description guidance explains how important visual information can be included in the narration. Speak the file role and destination, rather than “move this here,” so the decision remains understandable without the animation.

The CSV supplies equivalent text for every screen. Use it to prepare a descriptive transcript, then reconcile it with the finished lesson. W3C's transcript guidance covers meaningful audio and relevant visual information in text.

For video, prepare synchronized captions and check filenames, folder numbers, and feedback wording against the recorded take. W3C's caption guidance includes meaningful non-speech audio and checking automatic captions for accuracy.

Adapt the editable CSV

1. Open the CSV in a spreadsheet app and retain its 13 columns.
2. Duplicate the six blank rows as needed; replace bracketed prompts with your lesson details.
3. Write the question and answer key before polishing narration.
4. Review each screen with its speech, learner response, and equivalent text.
5. Keep stable beat IDs and update related answers, captions, and transcript text when a rule changes.

Review the script before generating audio

Check that the lesson supplies everything needed to answer each question. Feedback should state the reason and explain a likely error. A video can ask learners to pause and write; an interactive course needs actual response controls and feedback logic. This worksheet supplies the copy, rather than implementing either format.

The speech time calculator estimates voice-track duration from words. Measure the finished lesson and allow additional learner-controlled time for answering. The Mac narration workflow covers audio preparation. For producing multiple lessons, use the separate course narration guide.

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