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eXe and Xerte

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Centra

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Web-based Training

Computer Education Techniques develops and presents information technology subject matter in conjunction with technology partners, through third parties and as joint ventures. Management at Computer Education Techniques advocates a return to fundamentals when it comes to the foundation of our web-based training services. First and foremost, we are information technology professionals and subject matter experts: computer applications, operating systems, internetworking, web servers, programming languages, databases, and mainframe system software. For the better part of a quarter century we have committed the resources and effort to gather, examine, analyze, and research content and create documentation, diagrams, examples, and sample programs. This knowledge base has been incorporated into our courseware and utilized in SYS-ED instructor-led courses. The CETi courseware library has been incrementally refined and updated and will always be a work-in-progress! We are being selective in our evaluation of technology and authoring systems to be utilized in web-based training. Our service will provide content structured for learning which is programmatically updated and distributed. CETi is responsible for the development and evaluation of the content presented under the SYS-ED brand.

The initial web-based training services that CETi offers to employers for their IT staff, webmasters, and business professionals is distance-learning as an extension of our traditional instructor-led classroom schedule. Enrollment in these courses is predicated upon an interview with a company director.

This web-based service:

This service is streamlined in terms of automation and graphics in order to minimize bandwidth limitations and address issues which will simplify security. Value added support is available through our software specific and industry categorized websites - technology updates, learning paths, courseware, training aids, on-line form for submitting questions, and validation assessment questions. Over time additional standard and blended web-based training will be made available through SYS-ED websites.

Quality Web-based Learning

There is debate within information technology, accredited educational institutions, and client organizations as to what the emerging standard will be in terms of authoring systems and acceptable presentation of web-based delivery of content. Computer Education Techniques has been working with several authoring and delivery systems.

Open Source - Moodle

SYS-ED websites have been designed to integrate gracefully with the underlying model and architecture utilized by Moodle.

Moodle Activities SYS-ED Technology Exchange Websites
Assignments Standard and Tailored Content
Chats E-mail Correspondence
Choices Learning Paths and Technology Assessments
Forums Common Questions
Hot Potatoes Quizzes Assessment Quizzes
Lessons Search Engine and Table of Contents
Quizzes Self Assessments, Pre and Post Course Assessments
Resources Courseware Library
SCORMs/AICCs Tailored Training and Selection of Web-based Content
Surveys Student Profile Forms
Wikis Knowledge Base
Workshops Workshop Frameworks

Although we remain committed to utilizing Moodle, there have been response time issues which may frustrate clients evaluating our content. In addition, navigation can be cumbersome.

Open Source - CourseLab

CourseLab is being utilized as the authoring platform for our z/OS JCL - Basic course. Our initial work indicates that it has acceptable transmission speeds for uploading and testing of content and provides a comprehensive framework for developing an eLearning course. CourseLab can also be incorporated into Moodle.

The featureset of CourseLab includes:

Pictures which can be utilized in various formats GIF, Animated GIF, JPG, PNG, BMP.
Video files can be inserted and synchronized in a variety of formats AVI, WMV - Windows Media Video, MPEG, MOV - QuickTime Movie, RM - Real Media, FLV - Adobe Flash Video.
Audio files can be inserted and synchronized in a variety of formats AIFF, WMA: Windows Media Audio, MP3, WAV, SWF - Adobe Flash.
Rich Media files can be inserted and synchronized in a variety of formats Adobe Flash, Adobe Shockwave, Java-applets.
Built-in capability for creating standardized assessment questions Single choice, multiple select, ordered items, numerical fill-in-blank, text fill-in-blank and matching pairs.
Tools for creating custom questions and interactive exercises Objective-based scoring for creating scaled tests.
I/O-based interactivity
  • An object can be active click or a mouseOver/mouseOut area.
  • A part of text can be active click or a mouseOver/mouseOut.
  • Hotspot areas can be defined on pictures.
  • The values of form elements such as Text Input Fields, CheckBoxes, and Radiobuttons can be used in actions.
  • Action with description language.
Event-Action mechanism related to user action which provides for the utilization of the CourseLab featureset Applications and documents can be launched in a new window: Power Point, Excel, Word and PDFs.
Software simulations
  • A wizard-based screen capturing mechanism for customizable recording window size and freezing the recording window for partial capture mode such as a capture drop-down menu.
  • Automatic recording of cursor movements in which this recorded simulation can be edited in CourseLab to add comments and interactions.
Scoring and evaluation
  • Objective-based scoring mechanism.
  • Variety of conditions can be used to create Success and Completion statuses defining Rules for objectives.
  • Cascading rules with an objective's status also being used in conditions.

Open Source - eXe and Xerte

It is our opinion that additional functionality can be added to the suite of authoring tools currently available for generating Moodle content. More specifically, a Moodle specific export capability can be developed and incorporated into the tools.

This will have the following advantages:

The featureset of the eXE project includes:

Visual icon-based development for the assembly of interactive multimedia Icons can be added and their properties configured; the results can then be previewed.
Support for standard media formats: .jpg, .gif, .png, .swf, .fla, .mp3 The .swf format can be used to include animation and custom components.
Customizable interface and controls specific to the delivery of content The default interface can be used to provide a consistent, accessible interface.
Deployment in which the required fileset is created in a single invocation of a command No server-side components are required; the fileset is copied to a web server.
Scripting is performed with ActionScript The icons provide a rich set of properties, methods and events for creating sophisticated interactions.
Accessibility features are provided through a runtime engine The accessibility features include a consistent interface and media controllers, a choice of accessible color schemes, text-to-speech capability, screen reader support and tabbed keyboard control.
Code Models are reusable, can be shared and used in different projects Complex interactions can be re-used in different contexts.
The SCORM API is integrated in the runtime engine and facilities the utilization of SCORM data SCORM compliant content packages can be created for any SCORM compliant LMS.
Data Driven Components built upon a foundation in which the logic and data are separated This facilitates the creation of dynamic adaptable data-driven content.
Extensibility for adding tools to the editor through an extensible interface Custom editors can be developed for utilization in an open .rlo file format; .swf based components can be developed to include complex functionality.

Proprietary - MS PowerPoint on the Web

There are navigation issues when using PowerPoint on the web; it is not the same as a local workstation version of the software. Programming examples do not conform well with the PowerPoint formats.

Proprietary - Centra

We are in the process of evaluating a trial version of Centra, the Centra Tools, and features of App Share:

Other Retail Services

The other proprietary retail web content delivery services that we are experimenting with include: Webex and Citrix.