U7d1 Authoring tools and transfer:

After completing u07s2, write and post an evaluation of the software that examines features and limitations. Which of these tools appears better suited to encouraging transfer?

Qarbon ViewletBuilder provides information in a slideshow or running video format using Flash technology. Most of the interaction with the viewer involves starting, pausing, reversing, and forwarding the recorded program.

Below are some of the features of the Qarbon ViewletBuilder 4

Customizing the viewer experience through branching and hyperlinking.

Features that allow non-technical people to create effective online content.

Publishing and playback features that allow content presentations to every Internet user.

The users of the program are generally 1) Marketers and trainers who need to make online demos and computer software simulations. 2) Support and documentation organizations creating online visual tutorials. 3) Professionals creating online presentations using screen captures 4) and Teachers illustrating principles and sequential information to be learned by students

Below are some of the features found in Macromedia Authorware 7:

Authoring power (knowledge objects, learning management system (LMS) knowledge objects, custom buttons, Windows controls, one-button publishing to LMS systems).

Media support (enhanced rich-media support, Macromedia Flash MX support, media synchronization, MP3 streaming audio, DVD playback, anti-aliased text, rich text editor, Apple Mac OS X Playback).

Standards support (built-in data tracking, XML import/export, JavaScript support, ActiveX support, learning standards support, SCORM metadata editor

Accessibility (Authorware application accessibility, accessibility/text-to-speech Xtra)

Flexibility (powerful navigation, full-text search and retrieval, external media, media management, enhanced calculation editor, alpha-channel support, versatile delivery).

Extensibility (user-defined script functions, nonmodal commands added, fully scriptable, Xtra extensions, extensible commands menu).

When speaking of Macromedia products one is justified in using superlatives to describe their products since the company seems to always be at the vanguard of industry developments (this is also true with Adobe products). The range, variety, complexity, and capabilities of Authorware is astounding but some of the procedures might involve more expertise than the ordinary user might possess. Both of these products would promote transfer of knowledge to occur but the ViewletBuilder would use a more passive approach from the learner whereas Authorware could offer a more active or interactive method of learning from the learner. The difference in creating the programs though would be that ViewletBuilder presentations would be easier to construct whereas presentations using Authorware would involve more complicated procedures to create.

References:

http://www.qarbon.com/presentation-software/product_comparison.php

http://www.macromedia.com/software/authorware/productinfo/features/

Clark, Ruth. (2003). Building Expertise: Cognitive Methods for Training and Performance Improvement. Silver Spring , MD : International Society for Performance Improvement.

U7d2 Accelerating Transfer:

Chapter 9 presents the theory associated with the concept of transfer. Chapter 10 provides strategies to encourage transfer and decrease the learning/performance gap. Prepare a referenced response to this question: Identify specific strategies that will accelerate transfer and expertise in the design of instructional media tools and describe how you might implement them.

Transfer is the ability to apply learned information and skills. Transfer not occurring can be the result of poor organizational support, lack of transferable skills to specific jobs, insufficient training for new situations or difficulty in transferring skills to different contexts. Transfer can occur in specific job situations or as generalized analytical skills and both can be applied to near (tasks that have a very similar context each time they are performed) and far (tasks that have a generalized application) tasks.

Near transfer can be instilled with the use of drill and practice exercises and how to training. Far transfer can be taught using contextual examples, inductive and deductive learning techniques, simulations for guided discovery, and the use of cognitive aids.

The use of these programs could facilitate transfer which could be strengthened using interactive approaches such as those that could especially be offered by Authorware. --- Richard

Reference:

Clark, R. C. (2003). Building expertise: Cognitive methods for training and performance improvement . International Society for Performance Improvement: Silver Spring , MD.

My Comment to Mark:

I think you use some very good examples for ways to accelerate transfer:

1. The use of simple introductions by using streamlined initial examples.

2. The use of the identical elements principle by not giving information overload and to give appropriate, applicable knowledge making well-targeted information (such as not teaching the thermodynamics when teaching someone to operate an automobile).

3. Using the scientific method of hypothesis, experimentation, and observation to determine cause and effect (using trial and error or test and perceive methods).

4. Using �steps to generalization� in arriving at solutions to specific problems thus helping students develop abilities to be able to arrive at standards and generalizations. --- Richard

U7d3 LMS Features:

List some of the features contained in the delivery and learning management systems in u07s2 and features that should be added to provide flexibility in meeting the needs of your designs. Note whether these systems provide opportunities for adaptive instruction, providing different instructional approaches to different learners, or to individual learners based on performance.

Important in the development of learning designs, in using all software including Qarbon ViewletBuilder 4 and Macromedia Authorware 7 are the capability for the creation of demos, simulations and tutorials being able to customize the viewer experience through branching and hyperlinking, and the capability to use publishing and playback features.

Also necessary are the use of authoring tools, authoring techniques (especially knowledge objects and learning management systems), media support, standards support, accessibility considerations, flexibility, and extensibility. All of these methods can be adapted to the level of the informational content to be delivered to the learner as well as the leve of the learner's present knowledge and ability. --- Richard