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ReadyGo's WCB Backgrounder

When we started developing ReadyGo Web Course Builder (WCB) we performed an extensive survey of the market. Our focus was on the Subject Matter Expert (SME). Specifically we spoke to over 200 different organizations to identify their needs and issues. Our research identified the following issues and trends:

Course Developer Issues and Trends

Most SME’s:

  • Use the web, don’t have a concrete idea of what web characteristics need to be designed into web course
  • Have tight deadlines and need to develop courses quickly
  • Don’t have the time or desire to learn difficult tools or difficult processes
  • Become bogged down creating the look and feel of a course, instead of focusing their time on the course content and flow of information.
  • Are not graphic artists. If they need to include graphics in a tool they do one of the following:
    • Use a digital camera to take a picture
    • Use a clip art gallery
    • Have access to a graphic artist
    • Already have a graphic tool they are using

ReadyGo designed our tool based on this information. We understood that we needed to make our tool:

  • Automatically include best of breed web characteristics
  • Intuitive for SME’s to use
  • Incorporate technology behind the scenes e.g. Integration in one button

ReadyGo Structure

To simplify the process of creating courses, ReadyGo:

  • Separated out the look and feel of creating a course from entering course content.
  • Provided SME’s with a basic course structure based on best of breed web characteristics.
  • Made our tool flexible e.g. page layout, colors, graphics can be modified, all dialog boxes support any web readable code e.g. Java script, HTML, XML ….

Integration

We also found that organizations considered integration important. They want to have their courses conform to industry standards to insure integration. ReadyGo:

  • Supports the major eLearning standards including AICC, SCORM, and XML
  • Conforms to the highest level of integration with Learning Management systems (ADL lab internal study)
  • Conforms not only to the standards but also to the specific behaviors found in individual LME’s.
  • Simplifies integration for the course creator – simple pull down menu

Best of Breed Web Characteristics

ReadyGo Courses include the following:

  • Multi-tier web site
    • Flexible navigation path - lets the student choose their path
    • Flat web site - all pages can be accessed within three clicks
    • No Bermuda triangles - areas students enter, never to return, - students don't get lost
    • Random access of content - students are not required to follow a pre defined path through the information
    • Site wide navigation - continual access to information necessary throughout the course e.g. home, FAQ, site map, and contact.
  • Pages are standard HTML
    • Search engines and knowledge management systems can catalog pages
    • Works with any size or configuration monitor.
    • Slim pages - Pages are fast and small, pages download quickly
    • Supports browser compatibility - web pages have been tested and are viewable on Microsoft, Netscape, AOL, and Safari browsers.
  • Accessibility
    • Support ADA 508 compliance with blind readers
    • Courses are automatically designed for blind readers
    • Courses are not built with fixed fonts - students can define the size of the font through their browser. Older people and people with visual problems will not be able to read or access text that uses fixed or non-html generated fonts.
  • Web page layout and design (look and feel) is specified using CSS (cascading style sheets)
    • CSS is the web standard method of defining the look and feel of a web page
    • CSS provides complete web look and feel flexibility
    • Course content is separate from course layout with CSS.
      • Designers can change the look of a course without touching the course.
      • Multiple courses can use the same CSS – simplifies updating the look of a series of courses.
      • By pointing a student’s browser to a different CSS, the same course can look completely different to different students.

Benefits of ReadyGo’s Approach

  • Course production is 4X faster* then tools such as Toolbook and Trainersoft
  • Course production is 8X* faster then Macromedia
  • Courses provide a positive learning environment: download fast, flexible navigation, multi-level.
  • Courses work with the standards e.g. ADA
  • Instructional design is built in – effective training is more than a series of Power Point slides
* Results from an independent customer study