SAMPLE SOFTWARE DEMOS & SIMULATIONS
"HOW TO ADD A NEW POST TO YOUR BLOG"

You've set up a blog with Blogger, and you're logged in and ready to go. Now it's time to post something. This series of demos and simulations will show you how.

TYPE OF DEMO OR SIMULATION

DESCRIPTION

RECOMMENDED INSTRUCTIONAL USE(S)

"See It"

video-like demo

  • Provide an overview of a process for a novice learner

"See It" with narration

video-like demo with audio explanation
  • Provide an overview of a process for a novice learner
  • Explain or give context, with narration, for what's happening on the screen, without distracting the learner from watching
  • Use voice to add a "human touch" to eLearning

"Try It"

simulation with step-by-step instructions

  • Allow a learner who hasn't yet memorized the steps of a process to learn it by doing it

"Try It 2"

simulation without step-by-step instructions, but with hints for learners who get stuck

  • Allow a learner who is familiar with the steps of a process to internalize the steps by practicing them
  • Allow a learner to test his or her own knowledge of the steps, using the hints only when necessary

"Test It"

simulation without instructions or hints, but with feedback for correct and incorrect actions

  • Allow a learner or instructor to test the learner's ability to complete the process independently
  • Provide immediate feedback to the learner so errors can be corrected
  • Send scores to a Learning Management System (LMS) if required
printable, step-by-step instructions on a single page
  • Provide a reference that can be used where and when the learner is completing the process
  • Provide "just in time" learning
  • Decrease training time by enabling the learner to complete the process with little advance training

About These Samples

The samples above were created using Adobe Captivate 4 in order to illustrate some of the features available for software demos and simulations. It is possible to "mix and match" these features to suit the needs of your project. For example, you may decide to create a "Try It" simulation with narration. As these samples suggest, you may use different approaches with the same content at different stages of the learning process, for example, "See It" as an initial overview, "Try It" as the main instruction, and "Test It" to assess final mastery.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about what type of demo or simulation might work for your project.

© 2010 Laura Sehdeva