By the end of this article you will be able to take your coursensu designs and use them in the next step of your development journey. Exporting gets your completed designs into a state for production or transfer into a learning content platform. There are different export formats and you'll want to check which is most compatible with your workflow. Export is powerful when your production workflow includes expanding content with expert contributors, producing media assets and having your learning content platform.
Contains
Start the export process - where to find the export feature
Deciding on the export format - deciding which is the most appropriate for your needs.
Documents (.doc) - suggested uses: outlines, storage and sending to subject experts
Spreadsheet (.csv) - suggested uses: data transfer to other platforms and storage
Slides (.pptx) - suggested uses: for visual storyboards and import to other platforms
HTML (.html) - for when you need the pure, plain, html content for any learning, production or storage system.
Markdown (.txt) - a commonly used text-based language that creates headings, links and more
Terminology
doc - a portable document format that enables exports to be presented with a content item per table layout. Can open in most document editors (Word, Docs, Writer, Pages)
csv - a flexible data storage format that enables exports to be presented in rows and columns. Can open in most data and spreadsheet processing tools (Excel, Sheets, Calc, Numbers) and text editors.
pptx - a slides format that enables exports to be presented with a single content item created per page/slide. Can open in slideshow editors (PowerPoint, Slides, Keynote, Impress).
html - the standard format for rendering and displaying web pages. Can be opened in any web browser and all plain text editors.
markdown - stored as text but uses a language to show headings, lists, formatting, links and more.
Content item - each item added to your coursensu designs
Ready? Let's export our content and send it onto it's next step ↗️
Start the export process
Step: Navigate to your design and select the Export button in the toolbar.
Select the export option from the learning designer
Select the export format
Deciding on the export format really depends on the next step in your workflow. You will want to decide which is the most appropriate for your needs.
Documents are great for sending to subject experts who will complete transcripts and outlines of their content in a richer format.
Spreadsheet is best used for data transfer to other platforms, as it's a flexible format that can be read, or manipulated, across different platforms.
Slides is best used for taking a learning design to become a visual storyboard, either as slides or in a visual learning content platform.
HTML gives you a clean version of your content in a format that any online platform will understand. The resulting HTML is clear of added styles or layouts, only keeping the simplest tags you've set.
Markdown is a simple, clean format that produces highly accessible rich text. It is popular on some platforms and conversion of plain text, or HTML to markdown can add extra steps. We convert it automatically, to speed up your content creation process.
Step: Decide what to export (optional)
Each export format provides you with additional Export options - a selection to decide what will be exported. You can use this to craft exports for different stakeholders or destination platforms.
Examples:
Media producers can receive an export of all resources, to show the media requirements.
Subject matter experts can receive a document with just their section needing their contribution.
Content developers can receive all the details in markdown, to add the content into a compatible learning management system.
Sections (content items)
Select one or more sections of content to include it in the export. Default: everything is exported.
Fields
Select which 'fields' (design data) is exported. This means you can select different combinations for various purposes
Export as sheet
Step: Select 'Export as sheet' from the Sheet option presented
Selecting Sheet from the options to create a spreadsheet (cvs) version of your design
Step: Wait for the Export in progress to complete.
Preparing the sheet's contents
Step: Once it's finished select the Finished button.
Your export is ready for download
Step: Now your design export is prepared, you can preview the export line-by-line to check it is exporting as you expect.
A preview of the download
Optional Step: Delete any selected items - simply click the checkbox and then delete to remove them from the export.
Tip: This will not delete anything from your design, only the export!Step: Select the Export (.csv) button to download the export as a file.
If happy - you can proceed to download the .csv version
Step: Open your file in your preferred editor (we're using Numbers here as an example).
Opening the design in spreadsheet software
Outcome: Your design is now in a sheet friendly format.
Export as document.
Step: Select 'Export as storyboard' from the Document option
Selecting document will export your design as a .doc based storyboard format
Step: Wait for the Export in progress to complete.
Preparing the document
Step: Once it's finished select the Finished button.
The document is now ready to preview
Step: Now your design export is prepared, you can preview the export in a view that is very similar to how it will be presented in a document editor.
A (basic) preview is provided in Coursensu
Step: Select the Export (.doc) button to download the export as a file.
Downloading the prepared .doc file
Step: Open your file in your preferred editor (we're using Google Docs here as an example).
Opening the doc file in software
Outcome: Your design is now in a document friendly format.
Export Presentation / Slides
Step: Select 'Export as storyboard' from the Presentation option
Selecting slides or presentation to export a storyboard or template into slides (pptx)
Step: Wait for the Export in progress to complete.
Preparing the presentation version
Step: Once it's finished select the Finished button.
The slides are now ready for preview
Step: Now your design export is prepared, you can preview the export in a view that is very similar to how it will be presented in a slides editor.
Previewing (in a simple format) on the Coursensu platform
Step: Select the Export (.pptx) button to download the export as a file.
Downloading the slides as a pptx file
Step: Open your file in your preferred editor (we're using Keynote here as an example).
Opening the slides in your presentation software
Outcome: Your design is now in a slides friendly format. Export as HTML.
Export HTML
Step: Select 'Export as web' from the HTML option
Exporting HTML for the web, your LMS or any other online platform that supports pure HTML
Step: Review the preview of your exported content - make changes within the Designer (if you need to)
A preview of the rendered HTML
Step: Select the Export (.html) option to download the .html file
Exporting the HTML file
Step: Review the .html file in a text editor, or in a browser.
Viewing the exported HTML in software
Outcome: you now have your learning design in HTML format.
Export markdown
Step: Select 'Export as markdown' from the Markdown option
Export as markdown for any compatible platform
Step: Review the preview of your exported content - make changes within the Designer (if you need to)
Preview the markdown in your browser, before downloading the file
Step: Select the Export markdown button to download the markdown in a .txt file
Outcome: you now have your learning design in Markdown format.
Top 3 next steps:
Send your design to a SME or subject expert for their richer content contributions.
Import your design's export into your learning content system to develop content directly on there.
Store your export in a document repository as a locked version for future retrieval.
