Selecting Simulation Authoring Tools and
Environments
By: Simon Puleo
Why Experiential Learning?
“Tell me, and I will forget.
Show me, and I may remember.
Involve me, and I will understand.”
Confucius 450 BC
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
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)
Authoring Tool Matrix
See Handout
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
Core Capability: Production of animated character or “pedagogical agent”.
$10,000 per license
Code Baby Production Studio
Additional Resources
Designing Effective Nonverbal Communication for Pedagogical Agents
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
Core Capability: Production of social simulations using a unique storyboarding process that is integrated into the tool.
$20,000 per 5 licenses, training and 1 year support
NexLearn SimWriter
Additional Resources
Evidence Based Assessmentshttp://padi.sri.com/
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
Out of the Box• 15 male and female characters• 3 3D stock backgrounds
Advanced• Video Production• 3D Production• Flash Scripting
Core Capability: Real-time multiplayer 3D environment.
Free membership$72 per member annual feeLand $5 to $5,000See www.secondlife.com for details
Second Life
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
Out of the Box• Jeans and T-shirt• Build Objects
Advanced• Integrate self-paced learning• Create custom 3D objects• Open GL and architecture
Summary
Links and Resources• www.geocities.com/simon_puleo/
ContactSimon [email protected]@ubs.com212 568 3926