Making the decision to use virtual interactive training for your company, agency, education facility or for distance learning is sound foundation for all your future training requirements. However, there is a great deal of variation between the web based training companies out there. Selecting the best company is a key element in developing serious game solutions, virtual training worlds and delivering high quality custom learning opportunities that are tailored to your specific requirements.

One common mistake that many program coordinators or training managers make is to buy a template type of software package. There are good ones out there on the market including Captivate and Articulate, but they are only as good as how they fit within your specific organization. Even with a good fit you still will have to have a dedicated staff that can actually build a virtual training world plus they have to know how to develop web-based training solutions that match your needs.

In addition these e-learning software packages only allow so much customization in format, simulations and animations. As a basic platform they are great, but they aren't going to get you to the advanced levels of e-learning technology and the really detailed virtual simulations that most computer users are already familiar with.

There are very few elearning development services that can provide it all in a coordinated, comprehensive type of package. If you want to be able to track progress of users, automatically record quiz scores, exams and units completed as well as know how they did in game simulations you will need a company that offers LMS or Learning Management Systems. A LMS can also be used as a platform for e-learning and distance education programs as well as discussions, forums and sharing of information between users. Designing Digitally, Inc. can develop a unique LMS or customize an open source LMS to suit your firm's needs.

In addition to the master system, you should also consider looking for a company that can provide virtual simulations, web based training modules or programs, game based training as well as specific computer based training programs. By using the same company to do all these different aspects of your training everything will be fully compatible and work seamlessly to provide a high quality, professional looking web based training. Training simulations, in the form of 2D or 3D serious games, or Second Life types of virtual experiences are an ideal way to add variety as well as proven learning benefits to traditional e-learning systems. Other options for simulations that can be developed within specific virtual worlds include Adobe Flash, HTML5, Unity 3D, Flare 3D, Open Wonderland, Opensim. Since most people don't work regularly with these virtual worlds and gaming platforms, 3D designers can be instrumental in helping you discover just the right virtual world for your training needs.

One company that truly offers it all when it comes to web based training and virtual education is Designing Digitally, Inc. This experienced e-learning company can coordinate the training simulations in virtual worlds with the delivery of e-learning material, meetings in virtual worlds between users and instructors and trainers as well as building your training system based completely on your needs. This frees up your trainers and staff to do their own jobs without having to learn the highly specialized and very complex world of 3d simulations for training. A virtual world developer from Designing Digitally. Inc. can do all the technical work and your staff and trainers can focus in on what they need to do, giving you the best of all worlds. 

Years ago, new hire training consisted of making the new employee read manuals and other materials that many people would consider boring. In today’s technology-driven world, you don’t need to lock your new hire in a room with a training manual. Instead, you can develop E-Learning training modules to help get them up to speed on everything they need to know.

Here are a few reasons you should consider investing in the development of E-Learning training modules:

• Just-in-time training. New hires can engage in training at their own pace, whereas a classroom setting would force them to keep the pace of the class. They can also engage in E-Learning training modules when and where it is most convenient for them.
• Faster learning. E-Learning modules allow new hires to progress through the courses at a faster pace without having to wait for other students or instructors.
• Higher levels of retention. With fewer distractions than a classroom setting, new hires retain more information with E-Learning courses than they typically do with traditional classroom instruction. 
• No travel expenses. With web-based training there’s no need to coordinate schedules and pay travel expenses for trainings at off-site locations. With just a computer and Internet connection, new hires can get trained on material they need to know from wherever they are located.
• Track user progress. When Designing Digitally, Inc. develops E-Learning training modules, we make sure that each of them are AICC and SCORM compliant, which enables user progress tracking and scoring.

These are just a few reasons why you should choose to develop E-Learning training modules for new hire training, but there are many more. Don’t get locked into training new hires with boring manuals and training documents. Provide your new hires with an engaging way to learn the information they need to know in order to be successful with your company. 

Designing Digitally, Inc. was recently awarded a contract to create an interactive website utilizing the award-winning Unity development platform for interactive 3D serious games, as well as Adobe Flash for 2D serious games.
 
New Hampshire Housing is one of only five organizations in the country that has been awarded funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury to develop a 3-year pilot program that provides Financial Education and Counseling (FEC) to low-income families that will prepare them to become potential homeowners.
 
The FEC pilot program will use education to empower low-income individuals to make better financial decisions that will allow them to build assets and repair their credit. Participants will learn essential skills such as tracking daily expenses and saving money, which are important for families and individuals that don’t have much income to work with.
 
New Hampshire Housing has selected Designing Digitally, Inc. to design, develop and deploy an E-Learning website where clients may access educational materials and track their progress in a secure, convenient environment. Experienced credit counselors will also be available to answer participant questions and provide financial guidance through an online messaging center.
 
Once developed, the FEC Pilot Program will be available to other public or nonprofit organizations serving low-income families and individuals in the Granite State.

Have you ever played a video game and found yourself thinking back to that game at a much later time? Did you find you could remember all the aspects of the game including the decisions you made and the results of those decisions? For most people the answer to both of those questions is a loud and clear "Yes". This is because video games incorporate several different learning types or modes. From the sounds there is auditory learning, the visual learning comes from watching the screen and the kinesthetic learning occurs because of the movement.

Now, think back to the last time you read an instructional text. Can you remember a specific paragraph, sentence or word? Do you ever find yourself thinking back to that particular text? If you are in the majority, your answer to these questions will be "No". This is because there was nothing besides the reading going on to help your memory, recall and to develop cognition or thinking about what you were reading.

Using video games in training simulations is not new. Serious game solutions have been used by pilots, law enforcement, engineers and city planners for years. Incorporating these types of activities into web-based learning adds to the users opportunity to not only experience the learning but to also retain the information for later use. Learning by doing is not always possible, but learning by simulated doing is not only probable by highly possible given the various types of virtual interactive learning available today.

While a computer cannot quite replace a human for responding, virtual world developers are able to create a set of responses to a given interaction that are as accurate as an actual human would give. This allows the learners using the simulation or video game to try out different approaches and solutions that may elicit a positive or negative from the other avatars or elements in the game. This trial and error method, complete with audio and text hints as well as feedback, is the same as learning by doing - at least to the human mind. In addition, there is no stress of making a mistake as you can simply replay the scenario and try a different option.

Each serious game used as a training scenario or a virtual world education will have its own sets of goals. The e-learning developer will structure the serious game to allow the learner to accomplish that particular learning objective. Unlike traditional video games there will be a significant element of reality in the games, designed to resemble the environment where the player will have to use the skills developed in the game in a real world event or activity.

The serious game will also have built in characters that are intelligent virtual characters. These characters, represented by high quality avatars are your coaches and supporters in the game, providing hints and information to assist with the learning required.  As you are actually immersed in the game it is just like practicing in real life, which provides a highly effective learning environment. In addition, the interaction with the AI or artificial intelligence in the game reinforces learning without requiring reading of text and data in a boring, forgettable way. Many of the new interactive 3D virtual serious games don't require a vast amount of pre-reading, which is a definite motivation for many learners. For a demonstration and more information on 3D serious games go to http://www.3dseriousgamesandsimulations.com.

Designing Digitally, Inc. was contracted by the State of Vermont to develop an innovative web-based training tool for the Vermont DMV named DriveVermont. This free interactive program has been designed to help residents of Vermont learn to drive safely. The user friendly system was developed using a multitude of applications and mediums to form a visually appealing and interactive solution that helps potential drivers learn the rules of the road in Vermont.

The specifications for the project included accessibility features, as well as the ability for users with low bandwidth or lower end computer systems to access the training module. With this in mind Designing Digitally, Inc. built a Flash based learning tool with text that can be increased in size, as well as audio which narrates all text within the modules. Upon anonymous registration and log-in which allows users to start back where they left off at anytime, users are taken through each lesson where they learn valuable information about the laws of driving. In order to keep the modules from being simply page turning, users are asked scenario based questions throughout the lessons including multiple choice questions, drag and drop, matching, and even controlling a virtual vehicle through a scenario. At the end of all lessons, users take a practice exam which will help prepare them for the actual exam that they will take to receive their driver’s permit. Additionally, users will receive feedback on questions they missed which will direct them to the appropriate section to review.

Not only is the system engaging for students, but is also user friendly for the administrator. The system was developed with a web-based back-end that consists of a content management system. The administrator is able to log into the control panel and move slides around by dragging and dropping those slides in order. The administrator can also edit a slide and swap out text, audio clips, and video clips at any given time. This empowerment allows the State of Vermont to be able to edit the system on their own as the policies and procedures evolve over time.

The start of the project consisted of the development of the storyboard which was based off of Vermont’s 90 page driver’s training manual. Designing Digitally, Inc. decided it was best to create this project using 3D modeling and interactive mediums in order to appeal to the teenage audience that is immersed in the digital realm on a daily basis. Once the manual was converted into an effective storyboard that met each learning objective, the virtual world of Second Life was used to create 3D spaces representing Vermont.  

Second Life is a virtual world where people are able to log in and collaborate on 3D models and scripts, as well as communicate via voice and text chat in real time. By using this medium Designing Digitally, Inc. was able to setup a virtual movie set where virtual actors played out the scenarios within the storyboard and videographers recorded each clip. Sets consisted of rural streets, city streets, and highways, as well as all four seasons and all weather conditions to show each and every aspect of driving in the State of Vermont.

In total, over 900 video clips were recorded, along with additional Second Life photos and those clips and photos were used to create the final Flash animations that are seen in the web-based learning tool.

The development is open to the public at: http://drivevermont.vermont.gov/

For more information on the development please contact info@designingdigitally.com

We were asked by a University to create a compelling serious based game to teach students how to assemble instruments in the correct fashion. We proposed solutions for the client and determined that a simulation within Second Life would be the ideal solution for their needs. We created this simulation to allow them to choose any instrument from the list at the bottom of the tool. This will rez the items in a random order and allows for the students to to click the pieces and correctly put them in order. If the students get them correct they will be provided a fully functional version of that instrument for them to play at any given time within Second Life. You may see this simulation in action by viewing the video below:

We’re proud to announce the development of a custom learning management system design based off of the client’s existing web site layout. Our talented developers and designers have developed this tool to be used in conjunction with the training modules our team is currently working on for this client. Once they are complete we will be implementing them via SCORM so that we can track each employee’s progress throughout each chapter and lesson we’re building. Be on the lookout for a preview of these E-learning modules in the future. Until then we have provided a screen shot to show you what the client’s LMS system looks like (when you’re not logged in). For more information on how we can build your LMS contact us today!

We would like to announce we have a new position open at our design firm. Please see below:

Job Title: Junior Interactive Media Designer Location: Franklin, OH (between Cincinnati and Dayton) FT/PT: Part-time Job Level: Some Experience Required Working Hours: Approx. 25-30 hours M-F with some flexibility Do you love design? Being challenged? Working on new and exciting projects?Are you looking for a place to not only utilize your current skill set, but to add to that skill set as well? If you enjoy working in a casual, yet professional atmosphere, enjoy being challenged and working in several different mediums, as well as thrive under the pressure of tight deadlines, this may be the job for you! Designing Digitally, Inc. is a small, growing company looking for a talented, goal-oriented self-starter who has the ability to incorporate the best design and technology practices to provide cohesive support of all business divisions which include Graphic Design, Web Design & Development, E-learning, and Virtual World Development. Job Duties May Include (but are not limited to): · Develop layouts for Websites and Web-based training modules using programs such as Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop · Edit and manipulate catalog developments using Adobe InDesign · Create Graphic Design pieces as required (banners, posters, flyers, etc.) · Develop Content Management Systems using Open-Source Applications such as Drupal · Create Flash interactivities/animations to support Web-based training modules or interactive activities and games using Adobe Actionscript 2.0 and 3.0 · Quality Control/Quality Assurance over concepts and projectsQualifications Required: · Degree in Interactive Design or similar field (recent graduates encouraged to apply) · Experience in Graphic Design · Positive/CAN DO attitude with a willingness to pitch in and help whenever necessary · High attention to detail a must · Strong time management skills important · Ability to take a project from start to finish with little supervision · Strong prioritization and decision-making skills in a tight-deadline environment · Proven ability to multi-task and work on several projects at once · Ability to interact with clients both written and verbally in a professional manner · Strong understanding of the importance of excellent Customer Service · Willingness to put in extra hours if required to meet a deadline · Ability to learn quickly and adapt to new tools and techniques extremely important · Experience in the following: HTML, CSS, FLASH, XML, CS3/CS4 · 3D Modeling experience a plus · .NET, PHP, MySQL experience a plusIf you think this may be the job for you, we want to hear from you! Send us your resume and portfolio, as well as your availability M-F.
TO APPLY: Send a copy of your resume and portfolio via email to jobs@designingdigitally.com with the subject stating "Junior Interactive Media Designer".

It's that time again! Time for us to show you the progress of some of our current virtual world work (and by the way, we would like to apologize to the rest of our team as it seems our virtual world developers are getting the most attention on our blog lately. But don't worry, we're definitely proud of your hard work too!) For now we would like to show you work after 10 days of development on the virtual world college campus we are currently developing. Please see the evolved campus layout below: