Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Mind Map For Branching Simulations

This Simulation Mind Map that illustrates the thought behind the design and development of a branching simulation. The map has 3 major off-shoots:


  1. Learning Design - How the simulation fits into a learning plan that meets the needs of a learner.
  2. Simulation Design - The over-arching design of the simulation including interface and methodologies
  3. Scenario Design - The transformation of a scenario or case into a branching scenario. This includes both the story layout and the design tools (not software) one could use to create a branching scenario.

Every part is inter-related. For example "performance indicators" is an element really shared by all three off-shoots. I would like to validate this map with a few peers as I will be presenting it at the elearning Guild Conference in April of 2007.

I used FreeMind to create the map. While it is a good tool and I found the flash output really neat, I may switch to another that has more features like spell-check.

Please submit any comments.

Simon

Friday, January 05, 2007

Storyboard Templates

I am working on some new storyboard templates for tutorials and simulations. Storyboards are sometimes a point of debate among IDs. Whether it is online storyboarding tools (which I have used), word, excel or ppt. Even the best most thought out systems seem to have a few flaws such as how to track changes, how to make annotations, and how to help SME's write for a self-directed format.

As I progress I feel that the simpler the method the better, even if it requires copying and pasting text at some point in the production. It is a small price to pay for accurately developed content. Below are a few examples. Mine are to follow shortly.

Bill Horton
http://www.horton.com/media/whcstoryboard1.gif

http://www.horton.com/media/whcObjectives1.gif


Clark Quinn
http://www.engaginglearning.com/resources.html