Selecting Simulation Authoring Tools and Environments

1. Selecting Simulation Authoring Tools and Environments By: Simon Puleo

2. Why Experiential Learning? “Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand.” Confucius 450 BC

3. Experiential Learning Benefits • Learner • Practice in a safe environment • Ask questions • Discover the correct path • Administrator • Track performance in a simulated environment • Use statistical analysis to uncover critical paths • Designer • Create true performance based objectives • Create evidence based simulations that assess against actual performance

4. Screen Based Simulation Types • Physical Skill • Perform an operation • Play a sport • Technical Skill • Perform a procedure • Discover evidence through process or analysis • Create evidence by using a procedure or analysis • Social Skill • Analyze and discover the meaning of a conversation • Educate others • Influence others • Lead or be part of a team • Criticize/take criticism • Use specific language or jargon to convey meaning • Defend a person, product or idea • Sell/Present a concept or product • Negotiate • Show resilience • Reacting quickly (Thinking on your feet)

5. Authoring Tool Matrix See Handout

6. Adobe Captivate 2.0 Key Features • Screen captures for software simulations • Branching Map • Outputs storyboard • SCORM/AICC/PENS compliant with scoring • Zoom on graphics • Integrated audio recording and editing • Assessments Core Capability: Produce software and social simulations. Out of the Box • Create text, image and audio simulation self paced simulations and assessments. Advanced • Integrate video • Integrate with Flash $599 per license

7. Code Baby Production Studio Core Capability: Production of animated character or “pedagogical agent”. Key Features • Automated lip synching • Automating Blinking • Automated Gestures • Allows the learner to see visible thoughts thus reducing cognitive load. Out of the Box • 12 male and female characters • 2 backgrounds Advanced • Javascript needed for branching • 3D studio Max needed for customization of characters and environments Additional Resources Designing Effective Nonverbal Communication for Pedagogical Agents $10,000 per license

8. NexLearn SimWriter Core Capability: Production of social simulations using a unique storyboarding process that is integrated into the tool. Out of the Box • 15 male and female characters • 3 3D stock backgrounds Key Features • Branching Map • Write/Design Views • Word Storyboard Import/Export • Media Manager which helps facilitate video and audio scripts and files • Decisions linked to one or many objectives. • Objective based feedback reporting • AICC/SCORM Advanced • Video Production • 3D Production • Flash Scripting Additional Resources Evidence Based Assessments http://padi.sri.com/ $20,000 per 5 licenses, training and 1 year support

9. Second Life Core Capability: Real-time multiplayer 3D environment. Out of the Box • Jeans and T-shirt • Build Objects Key Features • Create avatar with identity apart from self • Create 3D objects and land • Play onscreen physical games • Open architecture and scripting tool for creating custom interactions • Import sound and graphics • Persistent world Advanced • Integrate self-paced learning • Create custom 3D objects • Open GL and architecture Free membership $72 per member annual fee Land $5 to $5,000 See www.secondlife.com for details

10. Summary Links and Resources • www.geocities.com/simon_puleo/ Contact Simon Puleo Simon_Puleo@yahoo.com Simon.Puleo@ubs.com 212 568 3926