Multimedia Best Practices

In this article, you'll learn about the types of multimedia you can use in Amplifire.
For more information on using Amplifire, checkout Toolbar Functions.

Images, video/multimedia, and audio can be inserted in the Question Intro, Question Stem, Explanation, and Additional Learning fields. Images and audio can be inserted in Answer fields.

Multimedia File Sizes

While file sizes typically increase somewhat with larger image sizes (or the length of audio or video clips), many factors and configuration options influence file size. Large image, audio, or video files may load slowly or not at all, depending on user hardware and bandwidth.

To ensure a satisfactory learner experience, reduce file size to the maximums listed below or smaller. Be sure to resize, edit, or process files to reduce the file size before inserting them into Amplifire.

Media Type	Recommended	Maximum
Images	<200 kb	2 mb
Audio	<500 kb	50 mb
Multimedia	<8 mb	100 mb

If you cannot reduce file size (especially for video files), consider hosting the content on an external site and embedding the content in Authoring using the Embed HTML option in the Authoring toolbar.

Amplifire’s display is adaptive; the platform is engineered to optimize how the content is displayed based on the screen resolution of each learner’s hardware (laptop, tablet, etc.). Images will automatically “shrink” to fit the area allowed by the learner’s unique screen resolution.

Recommendations:

The table below outlines recommended image display sizes for each Amplifire question field, as well as the maximum width allowed by each field (all sizes in pixels).
Image display height is not constrained, although it is best to avoid inserting “tall” images to prevent excessive scrolling.
Avoid inserting high-resolution images with display sizes larger than the maximums noted below. Amplifire will accept such images (as long as the file size is less than 2 mb), but the images will load slower than smaller images.
Avoid using very small or low-resolution images such as webpage thumbnails. These images cannot be enlarged satisfactorily.

Question Field	Recommended Size	Maximum Width
Intro	300w x 200h / 200 x 200	650
Stem	600w x 400h	650
Answer Choice Multiple choice Matching correct	275w x 150h / 150 x 150	515
Answer Choice Matching drag option (left) Matching drag option (right)	200w x 100h / 100 x 100 275w x 150h / 150 x 150	200 315
Explanation and Additional Learning	700w x 500h	900

Adding Media by Field

For Question Intro

Visual cues, used in the Question Intro field, are images related to the question, but not necessary to answer the question. They should not “give away” the question’s answer. Keep visual cues simple, as complex images can be distracting to learners. Avoid dark visual cues and visual cues with text. If text is necessary (dialogue, formulas, etc.), it’s probably required to answer the question and should be placed in the Question Stem field (see below).

Visual cues are removed periodically to prevent memorization of an image/answer choice combination.

For Question Stem

Images used in the Question Stem field give learners the context, background, or information needed to answer the question. These images are essential to the learning experience and are NEVER removed.

For Explanation and Additional Learning

Images placed in the Explanation and Additional Learning fields should be explanatory images. Note that these fields have a gray background, so it is best to use images with transparent backgrounds so they don’t appear “pasted in.” If you are unable to use a transparent background, consider adding a border around the image.

Adding Interactives

Amplifire supports interactives from the following sources:

Storyline
Rise
Captivate
H5P
HTML

For more information on how to upload interactives, check out Working with Dynamic Content.

Adding iFrames

To add an iFrame, click Insert HTML and then copy and paste your source code into the field.

Note: If the iFrame code you try doesn't work, try using the code snippet below (substitute your own URL):

The content will then populate into the panel you're currently editing. You can also edit the HTML code after you've clicked the green checkmark.

For more information on adding iFrames, check out Toolbar Functions.