Designing Digitally, Inc. is excited to announce that they have completed and launched the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority’s new Find Financial Freedom program!

The Find Financial Freedom website boasts nearly 10 hours of interactive e-learning in a fun and rewarding game-like setting. Using a board game concept, students work through a mock scenario of paying off their debt and saving their money to purchase a 3D car and house at the end of the program. The ability to customize their home through a web-based 3D simulation, including upgrading their yard, adding a garage or pool plus more, enhances the user experience.

Throughout each lesson they can earn money by correctly answering preliminary questions, review questions, as well as bonus questions. The bonus questions at the end of each lesson can cause a gain or a loss depending on whether or not the question is answered correctly. If answered correctly, students receive a extra money for scenarios such as having a yard sale or inheriting money from their uncle. If answered incorrectly, money is deducted from their savings for an unexpected expense such as new tires or medical bills.

To help students succeed, the website also includes a number of tools, such as an expense tracker, discussion board, periodic savings calculators and more. Additionally, coaches, who are assigned to each student, help guide users throughout their learning experience through an internal messaging system. For the website administrators, reporting features within the site to detail student progression and learning capacity.

Designing Digitally, Inc. is proud to have helped New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority provide their target audience with the tools they need to be financially responsible and looks forward to a lasting partnership with NHHFA as they continue to expand on their online offerings.

If you’re interested in developing custom web-based training courses for your employees, but you’re having trouble getting upper management to buy-in, we can help. Knowing the strategic and tactical advantages of web-based training can help you convince decision makers that web-based training is appropriate for your team. It’s hard to list out all of the many advantages of web-based training, the following are the advantages we find most appealing.

Strategic Advantages of Custom Web-Based Training
 

• You can create a global workforce with customized instruction all over the world.
   
• Custom web-based training is easy to adjust to employee wants and needs.
   
• Companies can retain valued workers with continuing education, certifications, and more.
   
• Your company will enjoy increased productivity and profitability by improving knowledge and skill levels.

Tactical Advantages of Custom Web-Based Training
 

• Web-based training offers flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere, whether your employees are at the office, home or a hotel room.
   
• Travel costs are reduced, including the cost of hotels, airfare, meals and other travel expenses associated with onsite training.
   
• Edits and updates are easy to make without time lag or reprinting costs.
   
• Tracking and management tools make it easy to evaluate and stay on top of trainee performance.

There are many more reasons why custom web-based training is beneficial for businesses, and Designing Digitally, Inc. can help you determine the best way to present your training materials in this format. For more information about how we can build your custom web-based training modules, contact us today for a free quote!

There are lots of ways that businesses, schools, or government agencies offering online learning opportunities can cut their overhead costs. You may initially think about buying a software package that promises to allow you to do virtually anything in respect to e-learning development. However, just because there is the software available doesn't mean it is a good idea. Many companies, organizations, and agencies attempt to design their own e-learning modules only to find out they have spent considerable time, money and effort for a very low quality final product.

Experience Counts

Designing and developing e-learning modules and programs takes experience and a very particular set of skills. It is not just about putting information online; it is about creating an enjoyable, fun and entertaining learning experience for the participants. At Designing Digitally, Inc. our specialization is designing virtual training modules, simulations, serious games and virtual worlds. You simply cannot get that experience though using a software program no matter how comprehensive it may be.

Experience also counts in knowing what your target audience finds engaging, entertaining and useful. This means that the e-learning developers have to have their finger on the pulse of what gaming and technology components can be used in the e-learning experience to ensure it is cutting edge and up to the expectations of the learners. If you put together a module on your own using the basic technology it is going to be out of date and behind the times before it ever comes online.

Building in the Entertainment Factor

The reason that most entities that use e-learning modules and game-based training is because these types of learning experiences are more interactive, less costly for long term use and have a higher satisfaction level for the target audience than traditional types of training and teaching. The higher satisfaction factor for the learner has to do with the entertainment aspect of an online learning experience. Adding serious games, virtual worlds and simulations make the entire training more like a video game, which is a familiar entertainment option for people of all ages.

Unless you are a game developer, incorporating the entertainment component in a do-it-yourself type of e-learning software program is far too technical. Instead you will end up relying on the standard program offered by the software, which is the same as everyone else's e-learning program. Using a professional designing company provides you with the option to fully customize the e-learning program to create a unique, one of a kind training experience that is developed solely with your learning objectives and the target audience in mind.

Creating the E-learning Experience

Anyone that had participated in any type of game based training that wasn't professionally developed by specialists in the technology can tell you what was wrong with the game itself. Often the biggest problems reported is that there is no cohesive flow to the game and it doesn't address the learning objectives that it intended to cover. We have the experience that is needed to make the e-learning experience pleasant and captivating for the learner while ensuring the learning objectives are met.

Your web-based training will be designed by our team to provide choices to user, give information in a structured manner, and to provide the learning opportunities that you want included. The way that the game flows will be entirely customized to your needs. Attention to every detail of the learner's experience is our specialization. This is certainly different than simply using a template which only provides so many options and learning experiences which may or may not make sense with your specific training requirements.

We think of all the little things that you haven't. No detail is overlooked in the design and this ensures that the final product exceeds your expectations. Everything is considered when we work through the design and development including sound effects, backgrounds, additional features and elements to the learning experience.

This framework for the e-learning experience and attention to each detail on every screen is just one of the many features that the professional e-learning developers at Designing Digitally, Inc. focuses on when creating the perfect match for your e-learning program. These professionals have years of experience in developing all types of training for small to large companies, organizations, schools and agencies.

Cheap is Not Better

Trying to envision, create and develop your own e-learning module will not result in a professional, high quality end product. While you may be able to get the basics done, dealing with the inevitable glitches, problems and issues that arise when the module actually goes live is more than most people can manage. In addition, as a developer you tend to focus in on what you like in an e-learning experience which may not be same technologies and options that your target audience for the training wants, needs or enjoys.

What you are most likely to end up with is a training program that is web-based but not entertaining, engaging or effective. You have spent hundreds of dollars in software and hundreds of hours in development all for an e-learning module that is limited at best in its actual appeal.

Working with the professionals at Designing Digitally, Inc. can prevent all these problems. Your information, your feedback and your ideas can be incorporated into the e-learning module but our experienced team of professionals will handle all the design, development and technical details. What you will end up with is an e-learning module that functions just as anticipated, runs without any glitches or problems and is set at a level that includes all relevant, new technology to provide a high level of both information and entertainment for the learner.

This combination is sure to keep learners coming back for more and also provides you with the option to continue to do your job while we do ours. You will have a high rate of return on your investment in the training without any worries, hassles and the need to spend time learning about web-based development while also trying to do your own job.

It seems just a short time ago that we were extending our holiday wishes last year and here it is that time of year again. As the visions of sugar plum fairies slowly fade and the New Year looms just over the horizon it is time to turn thoughts to plans for 2012. Getting a head start on developing a budget is a great start to the New Year and planning to really jazz up your traditional training is an excellent investment. If you currently have an e-learning program, it is also a time to think about upgrading, updating and enhancing your current development to include the latest in technology and programming options.

During the cold months of January and February we can meet to discuss your e-learning needs and help you to design a spectacular online training program. This is definitely the time of year to take a serious look at your current programs and develop exciting and unique ways to focus your training in the upcoming year. Incorporating a professionally designed and developed e-learning training program can also help you have more free time to get on with the multitude of tasks you have to complete while we handle the development process.

As the training coordinator you may be racking your brain as to how to do things differently in the company this year. You are definitely tired of hearing employees complain about attending those mandatory trainings and professional development hour requirements. Moving from traditional training or online courses to fully interactive e-learning simulations or virtual worlds for meetings and information exchange needs to be high on the list of things to do. Not only will this satisfy your employee base but it is sure to delight your boss and highlight just how effective you are in your role with the company. New hires and existing employees will love to attend training online, preventing that age old problem of getting people to participate.

We want you to give us a call and let us help you make your training program the next big thing in the company. It is always a collaborative effort and our professional e-learning developers, virtual world developers and gaming programmers can provide you with the training tools you have been looking for. This is definitely going to be to your advantage since you will have full confidence that we will provide e-learning experiences that cover all the objectives you have while also keeping those employees actively engaged and learning new information.

In closing for this year, the staff at Designing Digitally, Inc. would like to extend a personal thank you to all of our existing and future clients. Thanks for allowing us to work with you in designing e-learning programs, virtual world tools and game-based trainings. Without you we wouldn't be able to provide the high quality work we are recognized for.

Happy Holidays to all and we look forward to working with you in the upcoming year.

Midnight Hughes
Co-Director of Morale
Designing Digitally, Inc.
8401 Claude Thomas Road, Suite 23
Franklin, Ohio 45005
1-866-339-3231

With the relatively recent interest in moving to web based training more and more people are thinking about making a career change. The job of an instructional designer for computer based training is very interesting, highly rewarding but also not your average job. Individuals in this career have to be creative, have a comprehensive understanding of web based training development, training scenarios and scenario based training. They also have to know about e-learning development companies and how these companies provide services to the clients.

While it may be hard to narrow down just three qualities of an instructional designer, the following are certainly at the top of the Designing Digitally, Inc. staff list.

Communication Skills

An instructional designer  has to be able to both talk and listen. He or she will meet with the client to determine their learning objectives and goals as well as ask the questions necessary to be clear about the training program desired. In addition communication within the vast number of professionals involved in developing the training is also a must. The instructional designer will work with the subject matter expert, the web based training developers, virtual world designers, project managers and the team in general.

In addition to verbal communication the instructional designer will often be responsible for generating the copy or text that goes along with the training. This may include audio and video scripts as well as the trainer and participant manuals. Being able to develop games, simulations and training modules that people respond to emotionally will help with learning and motivation for training.

Visualization Skills

The instructional designer has to be able to visualize the end product before the first line of programming is ever generated. This really means seeing the big picture as well as all the details to provide a very accurate experience for the learner. This ability to visualize and see both from a designer as well as a user's perspective helps to ensure that the training is well structured, logical and at the appropriate level based on the target audience or training group. Designing Digitally, Inc. instructional designers definitely have these skills, resulting in amazingly lifelike serious games and 3D simulations.

Knowledge

Knowledge may seem like a big concept, and it really is when it comes to game based simulation and training. As the designer you will have to be able to know how people learn based on current research and approaches. You will also have to have a good foundation in a wide variety of theoretical and practical areas from the tools used in designing online trainings through to the most innovative of instructional strategies. While you don't need to be a subject matter expert in the specific field, having the knowledge what creative, unique and effective e-learning techniques best suit the training goals is going to be a key component of your job.

Needless to say the instructional designer is also going need to have more than his or her fair share of creativity. If you think you have all these skills as well as some proven leadership abilities you may be a great match for this truly unique career. The highly skilled instructional designers at Designing Digitally, Inc. definitely have all these characteristics in our staff as well as the experience that has helped our company become an industry leader in the world of web based training. For more information on how we can build your web-based training modules contact us today!

Designing Digitally, Inc. is looking for an Instructional Designer for E-Learning to join our development team. The job duties will include creating lesson plans, storyboards, and audio commentary for serious games, 3D & 2D simulations, and web-based training modules.

We need someone who:

• Connects with a target audience on an emotional level
• Takes joy in learning new things
• Writes effective instructional text and scripts
• Brainstorms innovative learning techniques
• Visualizes all aspects of a development and understands how they fit together
• Enjoys being a team player
• Knows the capabilities of Flash and other E-Learning Development Tools
• Asks a lot of questions
• Pinpoints grammatical errors on the spot
• Works independently with little direction
• Analyzes information and interprets the real message
• Believes there is always room for improvement
• Puts their ego aside when it comes to feedback

So, if you can turn ideas into a working masterpiece and enjoy doing so in a fast paced environment, we might have the job for you.

We need someone with:

Creative and Professional Writing Skills:

• Three to five years of writing experience
• Writing training courses and/or instructional information ( experience with online training and simulations preferred )
• Writing and proofing research and large amounts of data
• Specifying instructional strategies
• Developing participant evaluations to determine satisfaction, effectiveness, achievement of learning objectives, and job performance impact
• Ability to understand and relate to client’s needs and writing storyboards based off those needs

Computer Related Skills:

• Fast typing skills
• Proficient in PC environment
• Expert in Microsoft Office programs ( Excel, Word, PowerPoint )
• Knows programs such as Articulate, Adobe Captivate, Adobe Flash ( preferred, but not required )

Education and/or Experience:

• Degree in Adult Education, Instructional Design/Technology, Business, English or any related degree
• Experience with client relationships and storyboarding
• Experience in distance learning and training development
• Recent college graduates are encouraged to apply

Work Samples that show off your skills:

• Storyboards and scripts
• Organization of large amounts of content
• Writing skills (We’re looking for the WOW factor!)
• Examples of work must be provided to be a potential candidate

To Apply:

Please send your resume and examples of your work to: jobs@designingdigitally.com

Think Designing Digitally, Inc. is just about virtual world development? Think again.

Don’t get us wrong—we’re good at what we do when it comes to helping you create a computer-based 3D environment, but we also do so much more. Check out three hidden talents of our virtual world development company to see how else we may be able to help you develop the best possible virtual world for your needs.

We’re Virtual World Consultants

Pick our brains when it comes to anything and everything virtual. The expertise coupled with the high level of creativity that our developers possess makes them powerful consulting resources that can help you form new ideas about the direction you might want to take your virtual platform in. They know what has worked for similar clients in the past, what features would best highlight the goals of your project, and what your company can do to set itself apart from its competition.

We Have Experience in Higher Ed

Andrew Hughes, president and owner of Designing Digitally, Inc., also has an extensive career as an instructor of Business and Interactive Media at the University of Cincinnati. His experience in the world of higher education and his knowledge on how to teach can come in handy if you’re developing an E-Learning simulation or a 3D Virtual Campus Tour. He can help you take your training courses or online learning atmospheres to new heights in accomplishing your learning objectives.

We Brand

With all of our offerings in virtual worlds, E-Learning, online campus tours and simulations, it’s easy to forget a less visible area that we specialize in: brand promotion. We take your company’s physical brand designs and its brand messaging seriously. Whether we’re helping you design a new website or create a virtual campus for prospective students to tour, we stamp your company’s language and image into every piece of your project and help you to showcase it in a new way.

Put our virtual world development company to the test; ask us how we can help your business thrive with customized virtual worlds and E-Learning simulations

In today’s world, everyone’s a gamer.

Or at least 72 percent of American households are, according to a research study released by the Entertainment Software Association this year.

That number has risen nearly 10 percent in only two years, as another ESA study shows 65 percent of Americans were playing video games in 2009.

The growth of the industry is no surprise. Gaming is the modern American pastime. It’s entertaining, interactive and it lets you explore new worlds right from your own home. And, as the E-Learning field is quickly finding out, games now make for the perfect training tools, too.

Game-based simulation training transforms traditional learning into an immersive and inviting E-Learning environment. Whether you’re trying to train employees or teach online students, this type of atmosphere works because your learners are becoming active participants, rather than just passive listeners, in absorbing information. A fun and competitive game-based simulation gets them interested in the material faster and excited about the unique approach to learning it.

And it’s an approach that’s not going away anytime soon. Marketing consultants at Apply Group predict big futures for game based simulation in E-Learning, as the ESA details their forecast that

“at least 100 of the global Fortune 500 companies will use gaming to educate their employees by 2012.”

Why wouldn’t you want to take a hint from the major players? Let Designing Digitally, Inc. help you hop on board with game-based simulation development that compliments your E-Learning strategy. Take it from our clients; we’ve worked with a wide range of companies and industries that have been more than satisfied with our development team. See what they have to say about us.

If you already have PowerPoint materials that you’ve been using in more traditional learning atmospheres or 2D virtual environments, consider taking them to a whole new level with 3D scenario-based E-Learning simulations.

We can take your existing presentations and turn up the notch on their interactive features, making them more engaging for your users and more useful to you when it comes time to assess them. Here’s how:

We’ll tackle your PowerPoint goals with a new, 3D approach.

If you’re thinking about developing E-Learning simulations to train new employees or engage students enrolled in your online course, do you really want to put them to sleep with that same, stale PowerPoint you’ve been using? These simple presentations have been done to death—so much so that audiences hardly pay attention to them anymore, let alone learn from them.

Designing Digitally, Inc.’s approach is different. We will take your existing PowerPoints, assess them to establish their key learning objectives, and then translate those goals into a new 3D training simulation. The E-Learning simulations we create are interactive and theme-based environments custom made with your particular audience and learning purposes in mind.

So instead of sitting through another boring PowerPoint slideshow, your audience will be experiencing an immersive training environment through a Web browser, learning the same objectives that the PowerPoint highlights. And they’ll actually have fun doing it. Below is a screen shot example of a development by Designing Digitally, Inc. that went from PowerPoint from a client to a 3D training simulation for the client:

E-Learning simulations track your audience’s progress.

Our E-Learning simulations also give you a tool that your PowerPoint presentations can’t: They allow you to track your users’ learning development as they progress through the virtual environment.

You’ll have the opportunity to assess your audience members’ scores on various interactive games. Our developers base these games and assessments around your E-Learning simulation’s customized theme. They aren’t your standard TV-game-show deals, either; they’re games that are tailored specifically for your simulation and learning objectives, giving your users an exciting new way to receive training.

Translating PowerPoints into new 3D E-Learning simulations is just one of the many services our team of talented developers brings to the table, and it’s an effective way to enhance your virtual learning experience and engage your audience.

Check out our portfolio to see how we’ve handled other E-Learning simulations and virtual world development projects.

There are two very important aspects to virtual world development —developing a virtual world that others can use, and developing a virtual experience for your users to enjoy.

The first deals with the nuts and bolts of development, but the second requires your own understanding of your program, its audience and their expectations, and the learning objectives; and it’s the one many people usually don’t take the time to flesh out.

When you’re working with your developers, don’t forget to take advantage of their virtual world consulting expertise. It can help you realize your program’s full potential in creating an experience for users, which is what will ultimately determine the true success of your program.

Our virtual world consulting services can lead to:
 

• A better understanding of what has worked in the past for similar programs and what might not work for your needs.
   
• A successful marriage of function and design, as our virtual world developers will best know how to translate ideas into visuals and immersive experiences.
   
• An even more highly customized virtual world for your company, since our developers will also be learning more from you about your specific goals. They will evaluate your learning objectives as well to ensure they meet those goals.
   
• Along with adherence to technology requirements put forth by your organization, a more efficient working relationship between you and our developers to make both parties more prepared to handle changes or challenges along the way.

Talented in designing and advising, our experienced developers will guide you through the process with thoughtful recommendations, clarifications and assistance. Be sure to take advantage of their expertise in virtual world consulting when developing your virtual world platform. For more information on how Designing Digitally, Inc. can be your virtual world consultants click here.