WEB BASED TRAINING-DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

Design Process

Design of the Interface Design of content design of the learning materials

Design: Rule 1

Create a clear structure / sequence of Web pages.

For example sections such as introduction, instructions, resources /syllabus, news, schedule of course, assignment, communication with trainer, examples

Interface Design

The design should encourage the user to explore while intuitively leading them safely through the learning materials in the appropriate order to effectively teach them what they need to know.

The design must support the learning materials.

Layout of the presentation should lead the user to focus on the learning materials.

Learning Materials Content Design

Plan and conduct source material recording sessions.

the audio and video have to be recorded onto cassette or videotape and then digitized and encoded for use on the web.

The higher the quality of the recording used as source material, the smaller and faster the streaming video file will be.

The objective here is to plan the multimedia source materials appropriately taking into consideration the time, resources, and funding required to realistically achieve your design goals.

Design: Rule 2, 3

Maintain a clear focus. Include only those links that truly enhance the lesson

Keep things simple. An informative Web page requires little more than the simplest HTML coding

Simplicity is usually the best guarantee of reliability.

Rule 4, 5, 6

Consider the level of computer literacy of the intended participants

Specify hardware and software requirements clearly

Test your modules from different type of computers and different software (e.g. browsers)

Rule 7

Place course objectives first and foremost

If we do not focus on the content, the strategies, and the methodology the effectiveness of the program will be lost, regardless of the medium

Content must be analyzed first (e.g.: flowcharts should be created to outline the sequence of the course and storyboards must be developed that detail the content, design, and interactions for each screen)

Rule 8

Conduct a thorough media analysis. The media selection process should include the feasibility of delivering instruction via CD-ROM, manuals etc.

Factors which determine this choice:

Type of information (static or dynamic)

Target group ( computer literacy of the intended participants)

Need for interactivity

Location

Rule 9

Make the interactions meaningful. With current development tools, there is no limit to the level of interactivity that can be included

Rule 10

Consider visual guidelines When multimedia instruction is delivered on CD-ROM or other mass storage devices, the amount and size of graphics is not generally an issue

However, on the Internet, each picture must be transferred separately from the remote computer

Rule 11

Differentiate among the hyperlinks. Is it important for the students to know “where they are in cyberspace”

Use descriptive words for links

Include fixed links to provide a structure

Provide information for links that involve large file transfers or plug-ins

Rule 12

Limit the length of web pages Most Web designers agree that the initial page of a Web site should not exceed one page

The disadvantage of short pages is that if users want a printout, they must print several documents. Possible solution: Provide a link to a separate file (with the entire text) that can be printed or saved as one document

Rule 13

Minimise the use of audio, video, and plug-ins

Non-streaming media files take a long time to download

Streaming technologies (such as RealAudio and Shockwave Audio) offer the advantage that the files will play as they transfer

Rule 14

Encourage collaboration A major advantage of WBT is that it is relatively easy to incorporate (and encourage) communication between the instructor and the students

This communication can be asynchronous (email, discussion groups, etc.) or synchronous ( chat, videoconferencing, etc.)

Instructional Systems Design Process (ISD)[3]

Needs assessment

User analysis

Interface design

Content development

Media creation

Coding (html, java)

Maintenance

Administration

Updates

Top Ten Mistakes in Web-Design[1]

Ten Mistakes (Contd.)

Alternatives to Pure WBT

For many training needs, the best solution may not be pure WBT, pure disk-based CBT, or pure classroom training, but an intelligent hybrid mingling the best features of each.

Different combinations are:

Hybrid of WBT and classroom training

Hybrid of WBT and disk-based training

Hybrid of WBT and classroom training

1. Use WBT for the main presentation

Use WBT for preparation & Reinforcement

Hybrid of WBT and disk-based training

Use CD-ROM for heavy media

Add dynamic content to a CBT course

Add collaboration to a CBT course

Make the course run form CD-ROM

Download the course to local disk.

Avoid the dangers of a hybrid approach

Material on CD-ROM can become out of date.

CD-ROMs are complex to produce and ship.

What drive is the CD in?

Hybrids require unique technical solutions.

Compaq introduces CDs as web-based training alternative

Compaq Computer has introduced a replication of its web-based training (WBT) on CDs targeted at students who have slow links or perhaps no Internet access from home. This is in addition to the on-line WBT, training videos and instructor led workshops.

References