A practical guide to using interactivity in the new Adobe Captivate

The new Adobe Captivate represents a major shift in the way instructional designers create interactive e-learning. Rather than relying on complex schedules and advanced operations, the latest version focuses on Block-based responsive interaction Build faster and easier to maintain.

This article takes a practical approach and shows how these interactions can be effectively used to create engaging learning experiences.

How interactions are different in the new version of Adobe Captivate

In earlier versions of Captivate, interactions often required advanced actions, triggers, and precise timeline control. The new Adobe Captivate simplifies this process by providing the following features Pre-built interaction blocks Can be added directly to the slideshow.

These interactions are:

This allows designers to focus more on learning design rather than development work.

Common types of interactions and when to use them

Click to show interaction

Click-to-show interactions allow learners to control how and when information is displayed.

Best used for:

Keep each presentation concise and focused on one idea to avoid overwhelming learners.

Accordion Interactive

Accordion interactively presents layered information that learners can expand upon as needed.

Great for:

• policies and procedures

• FAQ

• Support details

Use clear, descriptive titles so learners understand what each section is about before opening it.

Tag interaction

Tabs help organize related content into clearly defined categories.

Common use cases:

• Compare features or options

• Explain roles or responsibilities

• Present stage or model

Tabs reduce scrolling and make content easier to navigate, especially on smaller screens.

process interaction

Process interactions guide learners through a series of steps in a structured way.

Valid for:

Adding a brief introduction can help learners understand why the process is important before exploring each step.

knowledge check

The new Adobe Captivate makes it easy to add knowledge checks throughout your course, not just at the end.

Benefits include:

• Reinforce learning now

• Encourage self-assessment

• Get learners actively involved

These can be used with or without grading, depending on your learning goals.

Best practices for designing effective interactions

• Align interactions with learning goals
  Every interaction should have a clear teaching purpose.

• Keep interactions simple and intuitive
  Avoid unnecessary complexity that distracts learners.

• Use consistent interaction patterns
  A familiar layout helps learners focus on content rather than navigation.

• Balance text and visuals
  Short, focused text combined with meaningful visuals improves comprehension.

Why the new Adobe Captivate is perfect for interaction design

The new Adobe Captivate enables faster development and a more consistent learner experience by removing the technical barriers traditionally associated with interaction design. Designers can now build interactive, responsive courses while focusing on teaching quality.

in conclusion

Interactions play a vital role in modern e-learning, and the new Adobe Captivate makes it easier than ever to design and deploy. Through careful use of built-in interaction blocks, instructional designers can create engaging, learner-centered courses that run seamlessly across devices.

This practical approach helps ensure that interactions enhance learning, not just visual appeal.