Training exercises and simulations created and delivered through Adobe Flash and Acrobat Connect Pro software help keep troops prepared. The link below connects with video testimonials from the Department of Defense.

http://www.adobe.com/solutions/elearning/customers/cs_video/dod/index.html

The U.S. Department of Defense has developed definitions for four levels of eLearning interactivity that correspond to the following levels of learning: fact, rule, procedure, discrimination, and problem solving. These levels also correspond with pre-determined skills that are expected at the end of the training session.

Industries across the world have adopted these definitions to determine the level of interactivity of their training modules.

Level 1 or Passive
Level 1 has the least amount of interaction and is usually termed a "page turner". In this level, the learner simply views text, graphics, or charts that are placed on the screen. The learner only interacts by navigating forward or back through the module.

Level 2 or Limited Interaction
Level 2 provides a little more interaction for the learner and requires them to recall more information than they had to in Level 1. The learner is cued to interact with objects on the screen. These interactions can use remediation to reinforce learning objectives. Types of interactions may include multiple choice exercises, rollovers or simple animations.

Level 3 or Complex Interaction
Level 3 involves the learner in solving probems or producing results by applying information that was learned in the module. Graphics, animations, audio, and video are used to simulate tasks. Some complex interactions may require the learner to make text box entries or manipulate objects on the screen. These interactions can also use remediation to reinforce learning objectives and provide feedback at the end of each interaction to apprise the student of their progress.

Level 4 or Real-time Interaction
Level 4 involves interactions that replicate operations or tasks. The learner is engaged in simulations that are life-like and mirror work situations. The recall of information is increased over the other 3 levels and requires the learner to use this information to correctly perform on screen tasks and procedures. Feedback is provided after the learner passes or fails the specific tasks. On screen elements may include 3-D simulations/animations, video, and Flash/Captivate simulations.

Another career path for graphic artists and multimedia specialists

Go to any website of an institution of higher learning and browse through their fine arts or design programs. What do you find? Degrees in graphic design, multimedia technology, web design, and visual communication to name a few. You will also find in depth articles that describe these degrees and provide a brief list of the jobs or careers one might expect to land once graduation is achieved. The majority of catalogs list potential positions like graphic designer, graphic artist, web designer, animator, or multimedia specialist. All of these positions are excellent and present an opportunity for advancement if you should gain employment.
From day one, students in these majors are steered toward these types of positions and the curriculum is based on providing the necessary skills to excel in them. Walk into a classroom of juniors or seniors and ask them what kind of job they would like to land and you would hear the positions mentioned above. Although these career fields do provide longevity and an arena that an experienced artist can do extremely well, they are also very saturated with other artists and new graduates looking for jobs. Because of this saturation and competition, they also tend to pay less than the courseware development career field.

Courseware Development……..What is that?

Although the courseware development field has been around a long time, it is largely unheard of in school lectures and in the design field. If this field has been around, why do schools fail to provide insight in these types of positions? The responsibilities and job duties of a Courseware Developer (AKA: Computer-based Training Developer) are not as “glamorous” as those of a graphic/web designer. Typical job duties of a developer could be: developing instructor-led training programs and online help for software applications, developing online training programs for the medical or food service industry, or even developing interactive training manuals. Skills that are required could include: Flash animation / programming, Photoshop, Illustrator, audio / video editing, and web design. Most individuals that enter the art or design field do so because they want the freedom to express themselves and let the creative juices flow. Not so much in the courseware development field. This field is for Flash or graphic animators and developers that enjoy a more structured environment. It is ideal for those that struggle with their creative side yet like to animate and develop interactive pages. There is some room for creativity, but a developer must follow style guides and stay within the course parameters.

Why would someone want to choose this career path if it is not as glamorous or open to creativity?

There are many reasons that a graphic artist or multimedia specialist would want to try their hand in this field.

• There is not nearly as much saturation as there is in the graphic or web design fields.
• The salaries are generally 10-20K more per year at a similar position.
• Training and education will never go away. Companies will always have a need for courseware development, even in an economy downturn.
• There is room for creativity, but it usually doesn’t require as much as other fields. This is a perfect job for someone that can design, but would prefer not to.
• Structure and predetermined processes and procedures encourage precision and a fine eye for details.

At the end of a long and tedious search for an open position in the design field, you have two options, continue looking and hope you can land a position or give the courseware development field a chance. You never know, this may be the career path for you.

If you are interested in a career, co-op, or internship with Venza Group click here.

The convienience of working with Flash as a Developer producing eLearning modules is ever-growing. The article below was written in 2004, can you imagine all of the technical advances Adobe has implemented into it's software since? Flash has become one of the leading tools in this industry and continues to give us the opportunity to produce more inovative products for our clients with every turn.

"The recent upgrades to Macromedia Flash make it an excellent choice for an e-learning authoring environment. With all the major browsers now packaging Macromedia Flash player as part of the default installation, Flash content on the Web has become almost as commonplace as HTML pages. A growing number of Websites mix Flash and HTML to add animation, sound, and video to what used to be static or only moderately interactive pages."

http://www.learningcircuits.org/2004/jul2004/hess.htm