Rapid eLearning through Software Simulations and Screen casts

Software simulation tools cannot be used for developing any type of learning, but focus on creating training content for specific system or software application. Software simulation can be divided into interactive simulation development tools and screen capturing tools.

Screen capturing tools are used to capture and record anything that is visible on the computer screen within a recordable area. It captures the mouse clicks, movements and onscreen changes along with voice overs. You can record the voice overs through an attached microphone simultaneously while capturing the screen. Instructions and explanations are generated automatically while recording based on the user’s actions. You can edit the recordings later by using the tools before publishing the output. With the help of editing you add more value to the important content and simply eliminate the unnecessary parts.    

On the contrary some tools do not allow full editing for just in time authoring and publishing. In this case the published output is usually in the form of a video, which can be viewed on desktop as well as on web. The tool can also add the standard tracking features with the published output so that you can directly upload the output. This is called a “Screen cast”, which can be directly uploaded to any LMS that follows standard compliance.

Nowadays new technologies allow you to record the screens for small just in time screen casts, eliminating the need to download or install any software. Another brilliant tool is Scriveners, which in collaboration with Twitter eliminated the need of a third party delivery platform. An excellent example of sophisticated screen capturing tool is Camtasia Studio. Combine it with some features and you can automatically insert instructions and call outs based on user’s actions.

A screen cast however is not necessarily interactive.  Except for the playback controls you cannot interact with the elements shown in the video. In order to create a better impact and assess learner’s performance it is imperative for learners to try the “try out” functions through simulated application software for which they need training. In such scenarios you need a tool that does much more than just capturing screens. These tools help to develop guided simulations, wherein the learner is guided through a set of steps to achieve a specific objective in the application training. The context based feedback lets the learner know about the minute details of the application. The published output is not just a passive video, but is in a complete interactive format such as Flash SWF. Using these tools you can also develop the course just out of screenshots of application.