OverView

Online Learning (eLearning) does not have to be just text graphics, video or animation. Thinking “out of the box” allows the designer to give the user a much richer experience. The designer can draw from many different disciplines.

Virtual Learning Environments
Many students are used to 3-D games technology. However, virtual reality is expensive to create. Recently much work has been carried out on 3–D virtual learning environment. The software Interactive Presentations creates can be linked to such a learning environment to add content.

Using Video and Audio
It is now standard practice in many areas of training to use video clips to play out various scenarios, the student is then asked to interact with these videos in various ways, often students are asked pertinent questions on what they have seen. Technology now allows digital video to be shown online.

The cost of producing training videos can be quite significant. An effective alternative is audio. Interactive Presentations have used audio clips to enhance both viewing and learning experiences. We used this technique with the Interactive Information System that was created for the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust’s Museum at Devizes. Since this was created in 1998 it has proved to be very popular with both adults and children. Technology has now moved on and much that was created for a single PC application can now be shown over the internet.

Complex Interactions
One of the problems with online learning is that the user is forced down a fairly well defined route. In diagnostic software developed for a large European car manufacturer, we allowed the user to choose what tools they used and what measurements they made. Their actions are tracked and they are tested at the end, on what the fault is.

Diagnostic software was developed to find a fault in an electrical circuit; the concept can be expanded to find faults in other systems. In the software developed the user drags a probe to the appropriate point on an electrical circuit to take the reading. In other software the user could be asked to look at a graphic, view a video or listen to the audio. This would allow the student to identify what the symptoms of the fault are. He or she would then have to choose the appropriate action. This could be replacing a piece of equipment or doing some tests.

Using Real Equipment
Signal Interface Unit
A Signal Interface Unit has been developed that is controlled by the eLearning software. The student moves the probes to the relevant points on the virtual circuit and then uses the REAL equipment to take the measurements.

The advantages of using a signal interface unit with virtual circuits:

1) The student or trainee can be trained on how to use the REAL test equipment in a controlled manner without the need to interface with costly hardware.

2) Once the student has mastered the test equipment he or she can take measurements on the VIRTUAL equipment. Initially these could be the readings when the equipment is working correctly.

3) The next step would be to add faults to the VIRTUAL equipment and use the REAL equipment to take measurements so that the fault can be identified.

4) Once the tutor or mentor is satisfied that the trainee is competent in the use of the test equipment and in the testing methodology, then, the trainee can be allowed to interface with the REAL hardware.

Fault Insertion Unit
Another way that REAL equipment can be used with the software is to use a Fault Insertion Unit. The software tells the fault insertion unit what fault to insert into the REAL equipment. The student or trainee has to find the fault. The computer will have a series of questions that the student will have to answer. This could be used either for training purposes or as an assessment.

Simulations
Driven by mathematical models
The student could be presented with a list of readings representing say a hybrid power station, combining a diesel generator with wind turbines. The environmental conditions can be changed and the student has to balance the various inputs to get the maximum output from the power station, they must minimise the diesel used for a required power output. An assessment package can be built around the simulation.

Software Simulations
Software simulation to train users how to use various software packages. The simulation can be set up in show, practice and assessment modes.