How does this impact rapid elearning? Office automation tools are also using package file formats, such as the somewhat controversial Microsoft Office Open XML format. This is the metaformat that subsumes the underlying markup languages for word processing, presentation and spreadsheet content.

Taken together I suspect we will see the rise of many custom workflow and “homebrew rapid elearning” applications. It will be easier than ever before to use common zip and XSL tools to take “SME content” in .docx and .pptx files and transform them into XFL. From XFL to published SWF is an easy step for CS4, and will allow for expert tuning/enhancement in Flash itself. That sort of tuning isn’t possible in current tools.

Corporate developers and elearning shops will likely create their own tools and workflows like Mohive and CourseAvenue Studio, but optimized for their market, clientele, content, style, work cycle and requirements.

Still others developers will bypass tools like Adobe Presenter, Articulate Presenter, and iSpring Pro, Rapid Intake ProForm, instead creating their own tools. These tools will likely work with specialized, optimized and more structured Word or PowerPoint files/templates, but also provide more optimized workflows and optimized content.

I think the opportunities for more flexible rapid elearning development will increase. The race is on for Articulate and Adobe to improve their offerings with richer tools and more instructional design savvy built-in. Wonderful as it is, Articulate Engage could be just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Likewise, CourseAvenue Studio and Mohive will need to expand the value of their workflow, repository and shared template capabilities.

Elearning professionals can contribute design skills to these new custom processes. Those with Flash skills will appreciate content flowing more easily from Word and PowerPoint to Flash, allowing upstream production efficiencies while still resulting in “raw” Flash files that can be enhanced and enriched with animations, effects and AS3 code.

It will be interesting to observe as the likely home brew solutions, open source tools, tool kits and SDKs emerge– all making it easier for content to flow from office automation tools to Flash source code file formats. I suspect other package file formats will also emerge and contribute to interesting solutions.

The story is written up on the Fort Hood 1st Cavalry web site, including some pictures of the ipod with battery and the wearable holder/case. (Note- The webmaster must like the yellow/black Purkinje effect.)

I’m glad to see Vcom3D get well-deserved recognition. Now its time for some forward-thinking corporate trainers to look at off-the-shelf and thinking-outside-the-box solutions like this too. I’m sure there’s plenty of time- and cost-effective training applications for virtual characters that model real language and cultural gestures– and plays back in common digital video and interactive Adobe Flash formats.

• Adobe Panel Webinar on Solutions for Authorware Users › Wednesday, November 14, 2007 11:00AM – 1:00PM US/Pacific
• Preliminary Authorware Survey Results [PDF available at that link]

As I understand it, the panel discussion will be recorded. I will post a link to the recording area when or if it becomes available to me. The PDF with the AICC survey information has data from about 40 responses. Since last Thursday there have been about a dozen additional responses. The AICC post indicates that the survey will be open for data collection until November 16, 2007 and provides a link to access the survey.

If the Adobe end-of-development of Authorware will have significant impact for you or your organization and you might have helpful feedback or are looking for information, then please visit the Authorware End-of-Development Discussion Forums.

The AICC deadline for feedback on survey questions is October 9, 2007. See this AICC News Blog entry for information on participation.

SCORM Solutions, Myths & Misunderstandings
In this eSeminar, Shawn Thropp will share solutions for common SCORM questions, from getting started to installing ADL software, dealing with metadata fielded and interoperability issues. Together with host Tom King, Shawn will dispell myths and rumors about SCORM development. Join us to discover how to work more effectively with SCORM.

Register for Luminary eSeminar Series: eLearning Events

Schawn will provide a high-level overview of SCORM and we’ll drill into some of the widespread misconceptions and challenges around implementing SCORM, including solutions to some of the most common issues addressed by the ADL HelpDesk. Good stuff.

Now, weeks after kicking-off this project Adobe has announced that Flex will become open source, over the course of 2007, under the Mozilla Public License.

May you live in interesting times.

Too often we use ADDIE and elearning like a defibrillator– perhaps rescuing the organization during the current "crisis," but doing little or nothing in terms of the big picture planning for preparation, ongoing "treatment", coaching/support and transition to sustained independent performance. Crisis solved. But what about the heart patient with an exercise-free, high-cholesterol, high-stress lifestyle? Would the medical community just move on and wait for the next incident?

The temporary innoculatory effect of booster shots of elearning may work well enough for the tactical "uptick required" compliance training. I understand and appreciate that. Some of it can even be fun, interesting or thought provoking. The tools keep getting better and raising the bar for aesthetics and interactivity. Rapid elearning and the existing ADDIE models of instructional design work extremely well for compliance training and performance support. I really like engaging the subject-matter experts as active contributors to distribute and accelerate production and implementation. Getting the training out there, on-time and accurate is critical. Especially for compliance training and critical updates to already-proficient performers.

However, I’d pose this question, What organization would cite its mandatory compliance training as a key differentiator or competitive advantage? I think that instructional design at its best is a means of creating new, higher and sustained levels of performance through learning. If so, it (ISD) would seem to provide the biggest competitive advantage when the content supports innovation, like dramatically different or new processes for the learner/performer. That sounds more like change management or some sort of intervention, doesn’t it?

Last summer Dr. Michael Allen posed the question What’s Wrong with ADDIE? in a podcast available here. A few weeks ago I had a peek at some answers to that question during his presentation at Learning 2006. His approach leverages research on making lasting changes in behavior, including breaking addictions or sustaining a medical regimen (ie, taking your pills). It also brings in learning theory and cognitive research to view training in a larger context. I believe using this approach for the right needs will be far more effective than simply specifying higher quality audio & animations and more frequent drag&drop interactions.

If this line of thought intrigues you, please consider registering for (or subsequently viewing the recording of) this week’s eSeminar,

A New View of eLearning Design: Reforming the Perpetrators of Bad Behavior with Dr. Michael Allen of Allen Interactions
Friday, December 1, 2006 1:00PM – 2:00PM US/Eastern
Register here

I look forward to seeing the next evolution of this revolution and hope to see you online during the event, adding your own questions and insights.

I just got a new laptop today and I can’t wait get started on some new projects. All the software I ordered from Adobe just can’t arrive soon enough.

Here are some of the things I plan on working on in 2006:

• Updates to the AICC PENS documentation and Test Harness
  (see forum posts here)
• A PENS Test Suite/Server-side Validater in PHP (Hint: send an email to mobilemind@pobox.com and I’ll let you know where the test suite lives right now)
• Updates to this site and the blog format
• Posting more regularly on the ASTD Learning Circuits Blog (there’s serious dust on my last entry)
• Getting more proficient with S1000D
• Thinking about a consistent way to track learner activity in virtual classrooms (see Learning Circuits entry above)
• Working with lots of the friends I’ve made over the years
• Doing more with simulations and Captivate and Flash and maybe even Flex
• Maybe even writing a book