eLearning Developer

My Favorite eLearning Development Tools

When it comes to eLearning development software tools, I am totally neutral and easily swayed by the latest and greatest product innovations. Rather than just park on one technology and say, “that’s it – I’ve found the only tool I’ll ever want to use”, I constantly ask myself, “which tool is best suited for this particular project?” To find that answer, I frequently have to invest time and money into evaluating new products, and new versions of authoring tools I already know.

With that in mind, following is a high-level overview of products I use most frequently when developing interactive, Flash-based eLearning in particular:

1. Screen capture tool – Snagit 9.1 (from TechSmith): This software tool is used to capture a visual from the computer screen for insertion into an eLearning course. I especially like the Print Screen function, which allows me to drag and drop across the region I want to capture and save this image as a JPEG, PNG, BMP, or other file type. It’s quick and easy.
2. Voice Recording
   
   1. True Voice – Audacity: This is an freeware software tool for recording your voice to MP3 (or other audio file type). While I always use professional voice talents in a sound studio when producing training for my clients, I will occasionally “rough-in” the media with my voice and then swap out my audio for the finished version.
   2. Synthesized Voice (text-to-voice) – VoiceMX Studio: If you want to rough-in audio but don’t want to actually have to physically read and record the scripts, this tool is excellent and inexpensive. You can choose from either female or male voice, and you can set the words per minute speaking rate. The downside is that it does sound like synthesized voice and the developers and the client will grow tired of the voice quickly.
3. Content Movie Production:
   1. Highly Interactive – Adobe Flash: For really rich looking and highly customized eLearning, I love Adobe Flash. In the hands of a skilled multimedia artist, amazing visuals and complex instructional design can be developed. From 3D animations to compression and delivery of video, Flash does it all exceptionally well. What’s more, Flash experts are plentiful and generally affordable as freelance talent or full-time employees.
   2. Rapid eLearning Development – Rapid Intake FlashForm: Also known as “ProForm”, this tool from RapidIntake.com allows novice eLearning developers to quickly assemble audio, pictures, video, on-screen text, quiz questions, and other learning objects/digital assets into eLearning. The result is somewhat static looking when using their built-in templates. However; the best thing about this tool is that you can purchase the professional version, which comes with all of the Flash source files, so you can really trick this product out if you know what you are doing (which fortunately for my company, we do).
   3. Mid-grade eLearning – Adobe Captivate: This eLearning authoring tool is great for producing eLearning comparatively quickly and with some level of custom look and feel. For those who do not know Flash design and/or programming, this tool makes producing interactive Flash eLearning fairly intutive and easy. Generally my team can produce better looking content faster in Flash than can be produced by even the most savvy Captivate professional, but if you find the prospect of developing in Flash somewhat daunting, then Captivate is a great second choice.
4. Video editing for eLearning – Adobe Premiere: I really like Adobe Premiere because it is extremely easy to use. It offers powerful features for those who are savvy video producers, but it also is very accessible to the average novice computer user. What’s more, once you learn the basics of how the timeline works, translating this knowledge over to Captivate is very easy as they share similar concepts and layout.

If you are interested in integrating any of the above tools into your eLearning development process but are not sure how to start, or if you want to outsource this kind of development to skilled professionals, simply use the Ask the eLearning Experts tool here and make a request!

SCORM Data Transfer Overview

If you are experiencing challenges with your SCORM-compliant course, then you may need to bring in an outside consultant. If that is the case, understanding some of the fundamental SCORM API methods may help you understand the information that your consultant shares with you. Click the “Ask the eLearning Experts” tab, input  your SCORM question/issue, and you will receive either an answer to your problem or a listing of SCORM consultants who specialize in exactly what you require.

 The SCORM specification has defined a minimum set of methods within the API that enable communication between the content that has been created (the SCO) and the target system from which the content will be accessed and tracked (the Learning Management System).

 The following methods are accessed by the SCO via JavaScript code with the syntax of:

objectname.methodname(argument(s)) – where…

• objectname references the API
• methodname is the method being used (see below)
• argument(s) are the data passed to the method.

SCORM 2004 (1.3) API Methods:

Initialize - Initializes communication with the LMS. No other API methods should be called by the SCO until Initialize has been successfully called. returnValue = API_1484_11.Initialize(”"); When completed, the resulting returnValue will contain “true” if the method was successful, “false” if it was not.

GetValue - Retrieves data from the LMS for use in the SCO. The SCO must pass the data element that it is requesting as an argument. returnValue = API_1484_11.GetValue(”cmi.score.raw”); When completed, the resulting returnValue will contain the score that is retrieved from the LMS.

SetValue - Passes data from the SCO to the LMS. The data is retained and may be retrieved during the user session, but is not saved to the LMS until Commit is invoked. The SCO must indicate the data element and its value that is to be saved as arguments. returnValue = API_1484_11.SetValue(”cmi.score.raw”, “98″); When completed, the resulting returnValue will contain “true” if the method was successful, “false” if it was not.

Terminate - Terminates communication with the LMS. No other API methods should be called by the SCO afterTerminate has been successfully called. returnValue = API_1484_11.Terminate(”"); When completed, the resulting returnValue will contain “true” if the method was successful, “false” if it was not.

Commit - Saves the data that has been sent to the LMS via SetValue calls. If a SCO exits without invoking Commit, none of the learner’s data is saved to the LMS. Commit is implicitly invoked by the API when Terminate is called. returnValue = API_1484_11.Commit(”"); When completed, the resulting returnValue will contain “true” if the method was successful, “false” if it was not.

GetLastError – Retrieves the last numeric error code that occurred in the API as a result of invoking these methods. returnValue = API_1484_11.GetLastError(); When completed, the resulting returnValue will contain the code corresponding to the last error that occurred.

GetErrorString – Retrieves the text description corresponding to the error code provided. returnValue = API_1484_11.GetErrorString(errorCode); returnValue = API_1484_11.GetErrorString(122); When completed in either case, the resulting returnValue will contain a text description of the error corresponding to the error Code that was provided.

GetDiagnostic – Exists for LMS specific use. Returns a diagnostic text description based on the parameter that is passed as an argument. returnValue = API.GetDiagnostic(”diagnostic text”); When completed, the resulting returnValue will contain the text of the diagnostic information.