Written by:

Mark Aston

Date:

October 15, 2025

Creating engaging online courses is an art.  It requires creativity, innovation, and the right tools.  Articulate tools, like Storyline and Rise, are game-changers in this field, since they empower educators and designers to craft interactive learning experiences.  Throughout this article, we provide engaging Articulate examples to transform your organization’s online courses using these tools.

Articulate Storyline is known for its custom interactions and allows for complex branching scenarios, enhancing learner engagement and retention.  While learners praise Rise Articulate for its responsive design and modern look on any device.  But which one should you use for your next new course?

The Articulate course examples presented showcase the potential of these tools, highlighting creative ways to enhance online courses.  We’ll also delve into interactive storytelling with Rise Articulate – an approach that captivates learners and makes content memorable.  We’ll also explore gamified learning experiences that bring fun and motivation to the learning process.

But we’ll also discuss Articulate examples of

  • Visual learning with infographics
  • Real-world application scenarios using Storyline
  • Branching simulations offering personalized learning paths
  • Comparing Rise Articulate and Storyline examples to uncover their unique strengths. This will help you decide which tool suits your needs best.

We’ll also explore how to combine the best of both worlds to create highly engaging online learning at a budget-friendly cost by incorporating both tools into your course, as demonstrated in several Articulate examples.   Suppose you’re a decision maker trying to decide whether the additional time and expense of having your course built in Storyline is worth it.  In that case, these Articulate examples will inspire and educate you to make a more informed decision.

Introduction to Articulate Tools

Articulate course authoring tools are renowned in the eLearning industry for their versatility and ease of use.  They have transformed the design of online courses to create engaging and interactive training and education.  Storyline and Rise are the flagship tools from Articulate.  Each has its distinct strengths to meet an organization’s course needs.  This flexibility is key to their popularity.

Learners celebrate Storyline for its dynamic and custom interactions.  It allows course creators to build captivating scenarios that engage learners deeply.  This tool is perfect for courses that benefit from detailed interactivity and personalization.  Conversely, Rise Articulate excels in simplicity and responsiveness.  Its clean, modern design adapts seamlessly to any screen size, making it ideal for mobile learners and ensuring they have access to information anytime, anywhere.

Both tools foster creativity and innovation in course design.  They provide educators and developers with the freedom to experiment and create unique learning experiences.  Course developers can integrate multimedia, quizzes, interactive videos and other instructional activities.

Articulate tools emphasize a facet that’s the primary focus of what we at Spark + Co. do –  learner engagement.  We focus on building an interactive and immersive experience that enhances knowledge retention.

In addition, these tools provide compatibility with most Learning Management Systems (LMS).  It ensures a smooth integration of courses into existing educational frameworks.  This capability is invaluable for institutions aiming for broad accessibility.

Overall, these authoring tools empower instructional designers to create courses that are not only functional but also inspiring for their clients.  As we explore further examples, you’ll see how these tools can transform ordinary content into an extraordinary learning experience.

Rise articulate webpage

Comparing Rise Articulate, And Storyline

Rise Articulate and Storyline each empower instructional designers to craft remarkable e-Learning experiences.  However, they serve distinct purposes and audiences.  Understanding their unique features is crucial for selecting the right tool for a specific project.

Rise excels with a clean design and mobile-friendly capabilities.  It’s optimal for straightforward content delivery where visual consistency is key.  The platform is designed to create polished and professional courses swiftly.

Storyline, in contrast, thrives in environments demanding intricate interactivity.  It supports complex animations and branching scenarios, making it indispensable for projects requiring custom and layered learning paths.

Each tool has unique strengths:

Rise Articulate:

  • Known for responsive design across devices.
  • Suitable for content-heavy courses with linear navigation.
  • Rise suits uniform, content-heavy courses.
  • Rise offers a modern, intuitive interface with pre-built layouts.

Storyline:

  • Features rich interactivity and customization.
  • Storyline provides a blank canvas for detailed customization.
  • Ideal for training that simulates real-world scenarios.
  • Supports variables and triggers for dynamic content.

Both tools incorporate multimedia elements seamlessly, enhancing engagement.  However, Storyline allows for deeper personalization and immersive experiences.  Conversely, Articulate Rise shines in consistently delivering sleek and minimalist courses.

The choice between Rise and Storyline often hinges on the project’s nature.  Simpler courses with a focus on readability benefit from Rise’s strengths.  Meanwhile, courses that aim to challenge and engage learners deeply often require Storyline’s advanced features.

Overall, deciding on a tool involves considering the nature of the content, learner needs, and the desired level of interactivity.  Understanding the unique capabilities of each tool aids in creating impactful educational experiences.

Blending Both Articulate Storyline And Rise In The Same Course

Knowing when to employ Rise or Storyline makes a significant difference in course effectiveness.  Choosing the right tool depends on several factors, ranging from project scope to learner engagement.  However, there are times when it’s advantageous to use both in creating a course.

In this situation, we can utilize the Rise platform for the majority of the course, incorporating complex instructional activities designed in Articulate Storyline.

This approach combines the benefits of both tools, reducing the cost and time required to design a fully developed course in Articulate Storyline.  For more information on whether this is suitable for your organization’s new course, contact us or set up a complimentary consultation.

Articulate Examples:  Storyline And Rise For College Courses

There are instances where your organization needs to develop a professional, clean-looking course in a timely manner, involving complex interactions.  The following articulate examples illustrate a situation where Spark + Co. developed a course for a regional college on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.  The course was initially developed in Rise Articulate but required additional engaging and more complex interactions, which we created in Storyline and embedded within the Rise Articulate course.

Articulate course examples: EDI

DEI Articulate examples

Rise Articulate Examples

Rise is a game-changer in eLearning design.  Its flexibility and responsive design make it a top choice for organizations seeking professional courses on foundational topics and education.

1.  Sleek, Modern Look – Rise

Rise Articulate courses are known for their sleek, modern look.  Designers can easily create them to be both visually appealing and easy to navigate.  This tool provides a wide array of templates and blocks that cater to various learning objectives.

The following is a sample extract of a course on change management.  You can see the sleek, modern look and easy navigation.  This course was created solely using Rise Articulate.  Top instructional designers can make this style of course for a very modest cost.

Course image from Rise Articulate

2.  Interactive Storytelling With Rise

Interactive storytelling is one of the most powerful features of Rise Articulate.  This feature enables educators to craft narratives that engage learners.  It transforms ordinary content into memorable experiences.

Instructional designers can create scenarios that mimic real-life situations.  This allows learners to explore different outcomes based on their decisions.

Some key elements of interactive storytelling in Rise include:

  • Rudimentary branching scenarios that adapt to learner choices.
  • Use of multimedia elements like audio and video to enhance narratives.
  • Embedded quizzes to reinforce learning through storytelling.

But these can be more successfully achieved by creating the course primarily in Rise Articulate, and incorporating more complex and engaging interactions made in Storyline.  This approach is beneficial in situations where understanding outcomes is crucial.  Learners can see the implications of their choices, thereby improving decision-making skills.

Rise structure also supports easy updates.  This is vital for keeping content relevant and engaging.  Educators can refresh story elements to align with evolving learning goals.

Articulate Examples – Sexual Harassment In The Tourism Industry

An excellent Rise example of Storytelling is a course developed by Spark + Co. for go2HR, focusing on sexual harassment in the tourism industry.  These Rise articulate examples effectively use fictional stories to enhance learning.  A staff member in the story disclosed to her manager that she had been harassed.  This led to an exploration of the situation, options for dealing with it, and included reflective instructional activities and quizzing.  We created the majority of the course in Rise, while engaging learning interactions were created using Articulate Storyline.  This approach can significantly elevate learner engagement at a fraction of the cost of a fully Storyline-created course.

articulate course examples on sexual harrassment

sexual harrassment articulate courses examples

3.  Gamified Learning Experiences

Gamification in Rise Articulate makes learning enjoyable and engaging.  It incorporates game-like elements that motivate learners.  This transforms traditional learning into an exciting adventure, complete with points, badges, and leaderboards.  These components provide instant feedback and reward progress.  This helps in sustaining learner interest over time.

Rise allows for the seamless integration of games.  Course creators can develop interactive challenges within course modules.  This enhances the competitive spirit among learners.

Key aspects of gamification in Rise Articulate are:

  • Use of challenges and quizzes to test knowledge.
  • Encouraging collaboration through team-based activities.
  • Offering rewards and recognition to boost motivation.

Gamification improves not only engagement but also retention and comprehension.

Course creators can choose from a range of templates to design their courses.  This streamlines the development process while still allowing creative freedom.  The ease of customization ensures that each course can maintain a unique identity.

4.  Visual Learning With Infographics

Visual learning using infographics has a profound impact on learners.  Rise excels at integrating infographics to convey complex information simply.  Visual aids complement textual content beautifully, making it more comprehensible.

Infographics in Articulate Rise 360 can be used in several meaningful ways.  They help illustrate processes, compare data, and highlight key points effectively.  This makes them an invaluable tool in eLearning.

Some effective uses of infographics include:

  • Visual representation of step-by-step processes.
  • Comparison charts for data or concepts.
  • Highlighting key statistics or findings.

The simplicity of Rise design tools makes it easy to create visually appealing content.  With drag-and-drop functionality, even those with limited technical expertise can produce high-quality infographics.  Importantly, courses leveraging infographics on Rise are accessible across devices.  This ensures that learners can view and interact with the content, regardless of their location.

The focus on visuals also aligns well with modern learning trends.  Learners are increasingly visual, making infographics an essential component of modern course design.

Articulate Course Examples – Climate Change

Below are some samples for a course that Spark + Co. developed for the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, the University of Victoria and the BC Ministry of Forests.  We designed the course for professionals (engineers, foresters, planners) to enable them to consider better climate impacts in their work, leading to larger-scale changes and climate benefits.  It takes a unique approach by incorporating justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as indigenous ways of knowing and being, and rural and youth perspectives.  This is another of the Articulate examples that combined Rise and Storyline to ensure an interactive and engaging experience.  It also includes lots of infographics.

PICS training course

Climate change Rise Articulate course

Articulate Storyline Examples

Storyline stands out for its robust capabilities and adaptability, and its features cater to a wide array of learning environments and objectives.  Instructional designers really like Storyline for its creative freedom and interactive potential.

Users leverage Storyline for its customization options, including creating personalized learning paths, which are instrumental in catering to diverse instructional needs.  The platform’s versatility accommodates everything from basic tutorials to elaborate simulations.

Some popular use cases of Articulate Storyline examples include:

  • Designing interactive case studies that challenge critical thinking.
  • Creating immersive scenarios where learners take on specific roles.
  • Developing sophisticated branching simulations with multiple outcomes.

ELearning developers use Storyline to simulate real-world environments.  This approach ensures that learners can practice skills in a controlled, risk-free setting.  It also allows for adaptive learning, where course paths change based on user choices.

The integration of multimedia elements like videos, animations, and voice-overs further enriches the learning journey.  Storyline’s advanced features, such as variables and triggers, enable the creation of dynamic content.  These features allow real-time feedback and enhanced interactivity, making Articulate Storyline examples far more engaging learning experiences.

Additionally, Storyline supports various assessment formats.  These range from drag-and-drop interactions to quizzes with real-time feedback.  This versatility ensures tracking of learner progress and understanding.

5.  Scenarios For Real-World Application

Scenarios are vital in bridging the gap between theory and practice.  They enable learners to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations.  Storyline excels in scenario-based learning, offering realistic applications for educational content.  Incorporating scenarios into eLearning courses helps learners visualize concepts, enhancing the retention and application of knowledge and enabling them to practice decision-making skills.

Creating scenarios with Storyline is straightforward, thanks to its adaptable features.  These features allow designers to simulate workplace interactions, such as customer service or technical troubleshooting.  This simulation approach makes learning interactive and practical.

Using this simulation approach allows learners to benefit from understanding how theoretical concepts apply in real-world contexts.  Moreover, scenarios foster critical thinking as learners navigate decision-making processes.  This high level of engagement promotes more profound understanding and long-term retention.

An instructional designer can create realistic, articulate examples using Storyline, which allows for the addition of rich media, interactive elements, and complex decision trees.

Articulate Storyline Examples – Property Assessment

Spark + Co. designed several courses for a government agency responsible for property assessment.  These Articulate storyline examples demonstrate how to train employees on complex theoretical and practical concepts by applying real-world scenarios.

For example, one course focused on employees doing a desktop review for property assessors.  The course utilized real data and images to instruct employees on updating property records using aerial photos and other relevant data.  For instance, after reviewing aerial photographs to identify new or changed features, such as a new roof, an extension, a temporary structure or a deterioration in property condition.  The course guided employees on how to adjust property values based on these and other factors.

6.  Branching Simulations

Branching simulations are a hallmark of Storyline’s capabilities.  These simulations adapt to user choices and pathways, offering personalized learning experiences.  They are perfect for situations demanding adaptive learning and critical thinking.

With branching simulations, learners engage deeply as their actions influence outcomes.  This fosters an exploratory learning approach where the learner’s curiosity is rewarded.  Storyline’s power lies in creating intricate branches that reflect real-life scenarios.

Aspects of branching simulations include:

  • Tailored learning paths that adjust to user decisions.
  • Multiple endings or outcomes that highlight consequence awareness.
  • Instant feedback loops that provide guidance and reflection opportunities.

Branching simulations are particularly effective in training scenarios, and there are many articulate storyline examples.  They create safe spaces for practicing skills without real-world risks.  This element is invaluable in training settings like healthcare or customer service.

Storyline’s versatility allows for unlimited branching complexity.  Designers can introduce several decision points that guide learner progression.  Each decision point opens up new learning possibilities and fosters active participation.

Storyline also supports detailed analytics, giving insights into learner choices and preferences.  These insights help educators understand learning behaviours and adapt content accordingly.  The ability to iterate and improve based on this data ensures courses remain effective and aligned with learning objectives.

Articulate Storyline Examples -An Ethics Course

A regional community services organization required courses on Ethics for volunteers dealing with sensitive situations involving family members and social services.  Learners encountered many situations that required them to make ethically based decisions, where they chose one of three options.  Each option would lead to a new scenario and outcome.  At the end of each situation, the learner was provided with instructional feedback.  In addition, the course asks learners what to do if the circumstances in the scenario were changed.

PSS Articulate training

articulate storyline examples PSS

7.  Articulate Multi-Language Capabilities

Articulate Storyline and Rise both can create multilingual courses that are both engaging and accessible.  Its flexible features allow instructional designers to develop eLearning content in virtually any language, making it an ideal choice for global audiences.  With built-in tools like text-to-speech and customizable closed captions, you can quickly localize audio, video, and written content.

The translation workflow in Storyline is particularly user-friendly—allowing designers to export all text content into a single document for translation and easily re-import it back into the course, saving time and effort.  Also, course developers can adjust font styles to accommodate scripts like Cyrillic, Arabic, or Mandarin, ensuring your course looks polished in any language.  For courses requiring language-specific navigation, Storyline’s variables, triggers, and states give designers complete control over customizing user experiences.  However, this does not translate audio or video.

However, although importing and exporting translations does not translate audio and video, their localization services offer functionality to do so, providing an alternate way to create courses in multiple languages, including AI voice-over and text translation.

Articulate Storyline Examples- Business Course For Women Entrepreneurs

Spark + Co. has developed many courses for WeBC to develop the business skills of women entrepreneurs.  These courses include theory and numerous practical, articulate examples and activities, produced in multiple languages.  The courses are produced in fully in Storyline.

WeBC articulate training

articulate examples

Rise And Articulate Storyline – The Best Of Both Worlds

By combining Rise and Articulate Storyline, we can deliver an eLearning experience that’s both engaging and efficient.  Rise enables us to create clean, mobile-friendly courses quickly, ensuring your content appears professional and consistent across all devices.  It’s ideal for presenting structured information, knowledge checks, and interactive elements in a way that’s easy for learners to follow.  Storyline adds depth and flexibility — giving us the power to design custom interactions, branching scenarios, and simulations that bring your real-world challenges to life.  Together, these tools let us balance efficiency with creativity: scalable where you need it, and customized where it counts.  The best part is that it’s often 40% less than the cost of creating your course using Articulate Storyline alone.

Contact us or book a complimentary consultation to discover how we can help you create a course,

  • With a modern, clean and professional look
  • Is mobile-friendly
  • With engaging custom interactions, scenarios and/or simulations for your real-world challenges

Conclusion – Articulate Examples That Inspire Engagement And Creativity

These Articulate examples demonstrate that choosing between Rise and Storyline doesn’t have to be daunting if you leverage their strengths wisely.  These tools unlock vast potential for crafting engaging online courses.  Both offer unique features tailored to diverse learning needs.  But making this decision often requires the input of an experienced instructional designer.  Rise Articulate excels with its quick and streamlined course development.  Its mobile-friendly design ensures learners can access the content anywhere, anytime.  This seamless usability appeals to creators focused on speed and simplicity.

But for projects that demand deeper interactivity, Storyline has been the go-to tool.  It enables designers to build complex scenarios and branching paths.  This empowers learners to experience real-world decision-making within a controlled environment.  But Spark + Co. can offer a third option:  one that combines the benefits of both tools at a significant cost savings over using Articulate Storyline alone.

These Articulate examples can include interactive storytelling, gamification, and visual learning.  Rise and Storyline provide robust platforms for these elements, enabling courses to be highly engaging, which motivates learners and enhances their knowledge retention.

When choosing the best tool, consider the resources available, including time, budget, and the level of engagement required for the course.  By selecting the right tool, or combining them, you create powerful learning experiences that leave a lasting impact.

Here’s a quick summary to guide you:

Opt for Rise when:

  • You need rapid development.
  • Simplicity and consistency are key.
  • The audience benefits from mobile-first design.

Opt for Storyline when:

  • Complex interactions enhance learning.
  • Project demands intricate branching paths.
  • Personalization adds significant value.

Consider a combination of both when you need the benefits of Rise and the benefits of Storyline in your course.  Combining Rise and Storyline can transform your online education at a significantly lower cost than creating a 100% Storyline course.

Find out which is the best choice for you and how most organizations save 40% and get an elegant, highly engaging course.  Book your complimentary consultation below, or contact us for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Storyline And Rise Articulate

1.  What is the difference between Articulate Storyline and Rise?

Storyline and Rise Articulate are both powerful course authoring tools, but they serve different purposes.  Storyline is ideal for creating complex interactivity, custom branching scenarios, or highly personalized learning experiences.  Rise, on the other hand, excels at quickly creating sleek, mobile-friendly courses with a modern, consistent design.  Using both Rise for structured content and Storyline for deeper engagement will lead to inspiring results.

2.  Which tool is better for my course: Rise Articulate, or Storyline?

As you can see from the Articulate examples discussed, it depends on your learning goals, content complexity, and budget.  If your course is straightforward, content-heavy, and needs to be built quickly, Rise Articulate is a great choice.  If it involves decision-making, realistic scenarios, or adaptive learning paths, Storyline will deliver a more impactful experience.  Often, the most effective solution is a combination of both.

3.  Can I use Rise and Storyline together in the same course?

Yes, as demonstrated by the Articulate examples provided— and in fact, that’s one of the most potent ways to create engaging and cost-effective learning.  Use Rise to structure the course and embed Storyline interactions for simulations, branching, or custom activities.  This approach blends efficiency with depth while significantly reducing the cost compared to building the entire course in Storyline alone.

4.  How does combining Rise and Storyline save money?

Building a full course entirely in Storyline can be more time-consuming and expensive due to its customization capabilities.  By using Rise for most of the content and Storyline only where complex interactivity is needed, you can achieve the same learning impact at up to 40% lower cost — without sacrificing quality or engagement.

5.  Are Articulate courses mobile-friendly?

Yes.  Rise Articulate courses are designed to be fully responsive, automatically adapting to any device.  Storyline courses are also mobile-compatible, though they require a bit more planning to ensure optimal display on smaller screens.  Combining the two tools gives you the best of both worlds — mobile accessibility and interactive depth.

6.  Can Articulate courses support multiple languages?

Absolutely. Both Storyline and Rise support multilingual course creation.  Storyline makes it especially easy to export text for translation and re-import it into the course.  You can also localize navigation, captions, and on-screen text.  Audio and video translation require additional tools or services for integration into your course.

7.  What kinds of interactivity can I create with Storyline?

As shown in the Articulate course examples, Storyline supports a wide range of interactive elements, including branching simulations, scenario-based learning, drag-and-drop activities, adaptive quizzes, and personalized learning paths, as demonstrated in the Articulate examples provided.  You can also integrate multimedia elements like video, audio, and animations to create immersive experiences tailored to your learners’ needs.

8.  Is Rise suitable for more complex or scenario-based training?

Rise is best suited for structured, linear content and foundational training.  However, you can enhance it with Storyline elements — for example, embedding interactive scenarios, storytelling, or simulations — to deliver a richer experience without building the entire course in Storyline.

9.  What are some examples of when to use Storyline vs. Rise?

  • Use Rise Articulate for compliance training, onboarding, policy overviews, or content-focused modules where visual consistency and speed are priorities.
  • Use Storyline for soft skills training, leadership development, customer service scenarios, or any course requiring decision-making practice and branching logic.
  • Use both when you want a balance of scalability, interactivity, and cost-effectiveness.

10.  How do I know which approach is right for my organization?

Choosing the right tool depends on your learning objectives, audience needs, budget, and desired level of interactivity, as shown in the Articulate course examples provided.  At Spark + Co., we help organizations assess their goals and recommend the most effective approach — whether that’s Rise, Storyline, or a blend of both.  Book a complimentary consultation to explore the best option for your course.