e-Learning Blog

iSpring Suite is an e-learning toolkit that can be used as an add-in software for PowerPoint.
In addition to iSpring Suite, there is a package called iSpring Suite MAX that offers various features and materials.

※Add-in software: When installed, it adds functionality and provides extensions. When iSpring Suite is installed, a tab is added to PowerPoint.

(As of December 2023)

iSpring Suite MAX offers a wide range of materials such as illustrations, icons, and characters, as well as customizable options. It also has the ability to automatically generate narration audio in various languages from text. In other words, with just the features of iSpring Suite MAX, you can complete the entire process of creating educational materials without having to request work from an illustrator or professional narrator.

With iSpring Suite MAX, you can create the following learning materials:

• ・Animation teaching materials with narration
• ・Interactive learning materials that respond to the learner's actions
• ・Video tutorials with recorded screen operations and added explanations and supplements
• ・Quiz that can check for correctness, provide explanations, and determine pass or fail
• ・Select HTML5 format or mp4 format
• ・SCORM compatible

For more details, please see here.

Let's take a look at the specific usage.
First, we will perform the installation.

1) Installation and Activation

Once you have obtained iSpring Suite, you will need to install and activate it.
Activation is the process of receiving online authentication as a valid license, allowing you to use it without any time or feature restrictions (for subscription licenses, there is an expiration date).

The necessary information for downloading and activating the application will be included in the email sent to the user from iSpring.
For instructions, you can also refer to the User Guide published by iSpring.
For installation and activation, please click here.

After installation and activation, a tab for iSpring Suite 11 will be added to PowerPoint, and the user's name will be displayed in the "Workspace" (as of December 2023).

2) "iSpring Suite 11" Tab

"Use each function from the "iSpring Suite 11" tab."

The "Narration" group includes functions such as recording and automatic generation of narration, and synchronization with PowerPoint animations.
Audio can be recorded using the microphone or camera function of the user's computer, or by reading the text file and creating synthesized audio.

In the "Insert" group, you can add "parts" that cannot be created with PowerPoint alone.
With "quizzes", "interactions", and "dialogue simulations", you can create content that progresses based on the learner's actions.
With "screen recording", you can record on-screen actions, add annotations, cut out unwanted scenes, and even edit other videos.
"YouTube" and "Web objects" are features that allow you to insert videos from YouTube or websites on the internet into your content.

"In the "Content Library" group, you can use parts to compose slides.
In "Slide Templates", you can set the design for the entire PowerPoint.
In "Characters", you can use photos and illustrations of people of various races, ages, occupations, emotions (facial expressions), poses, and angles. Illustrations can be customized as needed.
"Backgrounds" include backgrounds that can be used for case studies (offices, stores, city streets) and designs that can be used for slide templates.
"Objects" are what are commonly referred to as "props". Illustrations and photos of materials such as computer monitors, surgical masks, and wheelchairs are available.
In "Icons", you can select illustrations in a pictogram style and designs for "controls", which are buttons. Icons and controls inserted into PowerPoint using this function can be edited for color, size, etc. in PowerPoint.

"Presentation" group will handle the settings and translation to other languages when delivering as e-learning materials.
In "Slide Properties", you can create a hierarchy of slides and set the transition method to the next slide. You can also set the display/hide of slides.
In "Translation", you can extract the necessary text information for translation.
In "Player", you can set the "appearance" of the materials. You can set what elements (table of contents, subtitles) to display in the materials, the range allowed for learners, and the display content when interrupting and resuming learning.

From the "Publish" group, you can use the function to finish the writing of teaching materials, which means you can distribute them.
You can check the completed image in "Preview".
In "Publish", you can set the file format, screen size, and SCORM compatibility for the completed teaching materials, and export them.

"About iSpring" group displays update information.
If there is an application update, an icon will be displayed in "Number of updates".

In the "Workspace" group, you can check if your application is activated. If the user's name is displayed, it means that the authentication is correct.
You can also launch iSpring Space and manage teams from here.

3) Procedure for Creating Training Videos

Now, let's take a look at the specific steps for creating training videos with iSpring Suite MAX.
Here, we will consider the case of turning a group training into teaching material.
In this example, the following has already been completed.

• ● PowerPoint presentation materials to be projected at group training
• ●Explanation from the instructor (narration text)

The completed image of the teaching material is a material that allows you to view videos of instructors explaining based on the materials while looking at presentation materials.
This is the finished image. On the left side is the instructor's video, and on the right side is the PowerPoint slide being displayed.

What kind of operation is necessary?

1. (1) Open the PowerPoint presentation and display the "iSpring Suite 11" tab.
2. (2) Select "Narration Management" from the "Narration" group
3. (3) Insert the instructor's commentary manuscript into "Slide Annotations" in the narration editor
   The content entered here can be used as subtitles.

1. (4) Select "Video Recording" in the narration editor and record the instructor's explanation
   In the narration editor, the recording will be displayed on the right side of the slide.
   When you start recording, you can set the synchronization with PowerPoint animations.

1. (5) Edit as needed, such as removing NG takes and unnecessary "spaces", and applying screen transition effects
   After selecting "Video" on the timeline, you can launch the video editor by selecting "Edit Clip" and make edits.

1. (6) Select "Save and Close" in the narration editor and return to the PowerPoint screen
2. (7) Export from the "Publish" tab of the "iSpring Suite 11" tab in PowerPoint

In the previous chapter, we introduced an overview of how to create teaching materials using "Video Recording" in iSpring Suite.
iSpring Suite MAX also offers a variety of features for creating rich content.

Images, icons, and buttons can be used (in the "Content Library" group).

Images such as office and store backgrounds, furniture, stationery, masks, icons, and buttons are available as materials that can be freely used.
Icons and buttons can also be edited for color and borders using PowerPoint functions.

Create characters ("Characters" in "Content Library")

Characters (people) are also abundantly available as materials.
You can choose between photos and illustrations.
Among these, for illustrations, you can create original characters by using the "Character Builder" function to specify hairstyles, skin and eye colors, clothing, and poses.

Can create quizzes ("Insert" group's "Quiz")

By using "Quiz Maker", you can create confirmation tests and more.
A variety of templates such as multiple choice questions, keyword selection questions, and sorting are available, and you can easily create quizzes by selecting from the menu.
Automatic correctness judgment is also performed, and if you enter an explanation, you can also display it after answering.
If you set the criteria for passing or failing, the total score will be judged and you can also display the result.

Create tutorials with screen recording (in the "Insert" group, "Screen Recording")

You can also record operations on the screen.
By recording a series of steps and making them public, users can access and review them as many times as needed.
In addition to recording the screen state, you can also supplement the content of the operation with speech bubbles, making it easier to understand. The supplementary explanation is automatically inserted at the timing of the operation, so the creator only needs to make modifications or deletions as needed to complete it.
Also, even if you make a mistake during the operation, you can edit it later, making your work more efficient.

Human Science Co., Ltd. is a certified reseller of iSpring Suite and iSpring Suite MAX.
If you are interested in implementing these products, please do not hesitate to contact us.

In addition to business plans, we also offer plans for non-profit organizations/educational institutions and freelancers.
Furthermore, we offer plans and volume discounts tailored to your needs and requests, such as multi-year contracts and licenses that can be used by multiple people.
We also co-host seminars with iSpring Co., Ltd. on an irregular basis. These seminars, from the perspective of a production company, have been well received.

In addition, we also offer a service to assist with creating teaching materials using iSpring Suite MAX.
One of the benefits of creating materials with iSpring Suite MAX is that the source files become PowerPoint files, making it easier for our clients to manage, operate, and update them.

In addition, we also support courseware creation using tools other than iSpring Suite. So, for example, if you have courseware you want to create and would like to consult with us on how to create it, please feel free to contact us.

We also have a translation and manual department within our company, so we can provide one-stop support for multilingual deployment. We also respond to inquiries from corporate clients and educational institutions regarding LMS for delivering e-learning materials.
Since our business started in 2000, Human Science has assisted in the development of over 2,800 materials. Please leave it to us.