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OSSAMA NABEL is searching for advice on creating a CD of computer-based
training.
It is difficult to give useful advice without knowing more about the
specific situation.
Creating a CD for training can range from simple (e.g. package PDFs or
PowerPoint of existing training manuals/presentations with training adjunct
files, such as templates, starter files, sample data to import, etc.) to the
complex (a program that tracks student progress, provides simulation
exercises, etc.).
If you already have existing materials, then you might be able to put
together a training CD (not really CBT, but training materials on CD for
self-study) relatively easily.
If you want to create a CBT program, you may have to learn a new application
(e.g. Macromedia Director), will probably have to do some programming (e.g.,
"Lingo" programming in Director, "Java" or "JavaScript" for web-pages) and
should be prepared to spend a lot of time planning, creating graphics,
testing your program, etc.
Or course there are also less complex CBT that can be created with
PowerPoint, web-pages (these could be simple or complex), etc.
Maybe you are thinking of adding video clips (not just ScreenCam type
captures). Then you have to consider how professional you want it to look
and who is filming the videos, being in the videos, capturing the video to
PC, etc.
If you are planning on adding audio (background music, sound effects,
narration, etc.) then you have to consider purchasing (or creating)
background music & sound effects, who is recording and talking in narration,
how professional do you want the sound.
The more complex the project and fewer existing materials you will be using,
the longer this project will take. You may want to start small with a CD of
self-study training materials. Or you may want to start by developing a
small lesson in order to get a feel for what resources and time you will
need.
For the content - do you have a training background, or is there a training
department/person who can provide direction? If you don't have a training
background, and will be working on your own, consider doing some reading
and/or joining training lists.
And, of course, consider the purpose of the CD - will it stand on its own,
supplement training by a trainer, who is the audience, what do they want to
learn, how much time do they have to learn the topic(s) and how much time
can they spend for each segment (e.g., an hour or 5 minutes)?
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