Dec 6, 2007

Today is our last day so we'll wrap up the semester. I'll collect the Cell Phone papers, then I'll have just a few final words and take a few closing comments.

Then you're done!

Topics

Homework

Dec 4, 2007

Topics:

Homework:

Nov 29, 2007

Topics:

Homework:

Nov 27, 2007

Yet another brief day as all we have to do is see Luke's presentation from last week.

Topics:

Homework:

Nov 20, 2007

Today is a very brief day to let you start your Thanksgiving a bit early.

Topics:

Homework:

Nov 15, 2007

Topics

Homework

Nov 13, 2007

I don't think it's possible for the day to get any simpler.

Topics:

Scavenger Hunt:

Nov 08, 2007

Topics:

Homework:

Nov 06, 2007

Topics:

Homework:

Nov 01, 2007

Topics:

• Real Life Sim Presentation by Heather
• Discuss: Virtual Itza
• Discuss: Virtual World, Real Life Lawyers
• Discuss: Second Life Faces Mobile Death
• Discuss: Beijing Police Will Patrol Web Virtually
• Discuss: Real Hope in a Virtual World
• Discuss: Dennis Kucinich Opens Up Shop in Second Life
• Discuss: How a Computer Game Glitch Could Help to Fight Off a Global Pandemic

Homework:

Oct 30, 2007

Topics:

Homework:

Oct 25, 2007

Today we tackle the issues surrounding the second half of your "final" project. ...among other things...

Homework

Oct 23, 2007

Topics:

Homework:

Oct 18, 2007

No Class in the classroom today.

Please take this time to work on your Software Simulation Instructional Design packet. They're due next Thursday!

Oct 16, 2007

Topics:

Homework:

Oct 11, 2007

Topics:

Homework:

Oct 9, 2007

Topics:

Homework:

Oct 4, 2007

Three Real Life Sims: Bobby, Alex, & Brian

Topics:

• Oddware Presentations.

Homework:

Oct 2, 2007

No SL Presentations today.

Topics:

Homework:

Sep 27, 2007

Two Real Life Sim presentations. Bobby & Jesse

Topic:

Homework:

Sep 25, 2007

• The Crooked House
• Virtual Hallucinations
• Myst Online

Scavenger Hunt : A pet of some sort. We'll meet at the Beach House and show them off.

Sep 20, 2007

Real Life Simulation Presentation by: Bobby

Topics:

• Hardware Prototypes

Homework:

• Oddware

Sep 18, 2007

Second Life Sim: Mike

Other places by Damian

Homework

• Optional: Jewelry with "bling."

Sep 13, 2007

Real Life Sim: Jerilyn

Topics:

• My 4th Newspaper Interview about UB and Second Life.
• Four interesting Second Life books.
• Second Life Terrorism
• Second Life Punishment
• Reuters in Second Life
• Disaffected!

Homework

• Play Disaffected

 

Sep 11, 2007

Today we meet in Second Life at 11am.
Jesse will be presenting his first Second Life simulation.

Sep 6, 2007

Here are the topics we will be covering today:

• Ricky's Real Life Sim Presentation
• Non-Computer Platforms
• Computer Based Platforms

Homework

• No Homework
• Optional: New Avatar Hair in Second Life

Sep 4, 2007

Today we meet in Second Life.
Regular class time: 11am.
Run Ventrilo and log in to the server.
(Get the server / port info from the blue panel.)
Log into Second Life and I'll send you a teleport
to our location.

Homework:
(Read the Class Requirements for fuller details.)

• Student Setup
• Scavenger Hunt #1
• Class Photo

APPLIED SIMULATION     
COSC330.SG1     
Fall 2007     

-Ventrilo Information-     
Server: 69.12.74.141     
Port: 4143     

On the surface, software simulation sounds exactly like what it is: using one software package to simulate another software package. Usually this is done for training purposes. The easiest way I've found to explain it is to share the story of how I got involved in the process.

Many years ago, the Canadian version of the DMV created a new software package that would track drivers' licenses, license plates, and insurance...among other related information. All the DMV agents had to use this new software, which meant they all had to be trained how to use the new software.

So the Canadian DMV contacted the company that I worked for and hired us to create the training. They sent us copies of their software, helped us to install it and get it working on our system, and gave us dummy-data to work with. Our Instructional Design team then talked to the DMV to find out specifically what they wanted to train their learners. Then our ID team spent a great deal of time working with the software in order to themselves learn how the software worked and all the ins-and-outs of the involved processes. Then they created the training lesson plans.

After the plans were firmed up, they were sent to the graphics department and the programming department where our training program was created. Essentially---remember, we're talking about software simulation--we created a fake version of the DMV software that looked exactly like the real version--and in many instances worked just like the real version.

On top of this simulation, we put our training. Typically this was a box of text containing explanation and instructions. Frequently, the textbox would be accompanied by audio-voiceovers. The textbox explained the workings of various buttons, fields, and other on-screen elements, as well as explained the processes that the learner would be involved in when using the real program. In addition, the textbox frequently had a collection of buttons that would allow the learner to repeat an instruction, back up to a previous step, or get additional help.

Typically, the simulation would be divided into a number of lessons. Each lesson dealt with a particular topic or process and would walk the learner through the process step-by-step. For instance, if we wanted to teach the learner how to create a record for a new driver, the textbox might say:

To create a record for a new driver, click the New Driver button in the main toolbar. Click it now.

Depending on the instructional design, the textbox might include a graphic of the button. A giant red arrow might also appear on the screen pointing to the button. The user would then click on the button and our simulation would react exactly as the real program would; the screen might change, dialog boxes would appear and need to be filled in, and so forth. If the user clicked the wrong button, the training-half of the simulation would provide feedback and additional help, then again prompt the learner to perform the correct action.

Once the learner had completed all the actions in a particular lesson, a review might be given. Almost always some sort of qualifying test would then be run--again through the simulation, but without the step-by-step assistance. The textbox for this might only say:

Susan Clarke is a new driver and needs to provide her insurance data and obtain a new license. Create a New Driver record for her and enter all the required information.

The learner would then have to work his/her way through the process--in the simulated environment--to pass the examination. Along the way, the CBT software may be recording data about the learner's movements, such as tracking how many tries he took before successfully completing "the next step" of the process. This data is then evaluated--either by the simulation engine or by a human who looks at the data--to determine if the learner has successfully learned the information and has qualified to move to the next lesson or to begin working with the actual software.

Many times the CBT training is wrapped in some sort of encompassing theme to make the training process less dry. For instance, the DMV CBT I mentioned was wrapped inside a...racing board game. The learner had a token--a race car, no less--that he moved around the board. Each square on the board was a lesson simulation. The textbox and all the other CBT elements, therefore, had a similar racecar board-game feel. Checkered flags, red-and-green lights, and so forth were all designed around this "fun" theme.

Such a complex learning environment, however, also required a small training session in how to use the training software! So the first part of the CBT was an explanation of how the CBT environment, how to use the mouse, and the functions of all the textbox buttons.

For Northrop Grumman, I created a simulation of their at-that-time new browser-based materials requisitioning system. Initially, this was done in Toolbook then converted to a web-delivery style so that the user could take the training from their own workstations on the company LAN.

I have taken one lesson and re-created it in Flash to use as an example of the sort of thing we're dealing with. (The recreation isn't a perfect recreation. Time has not been on my side this semester.)

VIPeR Demo