| Computer Based Training or CBT is a highly | | | | the images are used in the right spots and are |
| effective e-learning solution medium. A CBT can | | | | relevant. The storyboard should layout the theme |
| be integrated with various applications and thus | | | | with proper focus on the text and graphics. |
| proves to a very effective and appealing medium | | | | For instance if you are developing a CBT for kids |
| for training and educating because of its | | | | you would need to use bright colors, images, |
| interactive capability that allows children to | | | | layout and simple text. |
| practice as they learn. | | | | On the other hand, if you are making a CBT as a |
| Moreover, CBTs are also becoming a more viable | | | | manual for learning a software program, you |
| option for corporate firms and individuals alike to | | | | would need more elaborate text, with screen |
| impart and receive training. | | | | shots of the various steps to follow and so on. |
| There are many PC applications that come with | | | | Depending upon the requirements of the target |
| tutorials designed in the form of a CBT. With a | | | | audience, you would need to build your |
| CBT program, the user can access the | | | | storyboard. |
| information at any location and at any time. | | | | Remember every screen and frame must explain, |
| Developing a CBT programDeveloping a CBT | | | | enhance, and improve the overall learning process. |
| program is however a highly technical and skilled | | | | 6. Choose the softwareIf you are making the |
| job. You need to go slowly and must have some | | | | CBT for the first time and don’t have much |
| basic graphic designing skills to begin. | | | | computer knowledge, you can use Microsoft |
| Interestingly, CBT programs can be created on a | | | | Producer for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003. It |
| small scale too and you don’t always need a | | | | can be downloaded for free and it is very easy |
| huge team to make one. And if you also want to | | | | to use. With the help of Microsoft Producer, you |
| create a CBT, follow these tips: | | | | can develop CBT at a very low cost. |
| 1. Content is primary | | | | 7. DevelopmentStart to layout the graphical |
| The main issue you need to focus on is the | | | | portion of the CBT. Take the content from the |
| quality of content as that is the main ingredient | | | | storyboard and start putting the pieces together |
| which must be converted into a computer | | | | page by page. Put together all the elements and |
| program to make a CBT interesting and appealing. | | | | cross check to ensure that everything is put in |
| 2. Focus on the audienceOnline training and | | | | the right place. |
| face-to-face learning are two different things and | | | | 8. Final output |
| both need different sort of treatments. Hence, | | | | Test the final version of the course or file. Make |
| for a CBT program, you need to first identify and | | | | sure to test the course in the deployed |
| study the characteristics of the target audience. | | | | environment, where the finished product will be |
| Only after knowing the target audience, you | | | | seen by the users. Once you are satisfied of the |
| would have a clear picture of what type of | | | | professional quality, you must start thinking about |
| content including text, images, etc., must be | | | | the distribution part. |
| included in the training module and what type of | | | | 9. Marketing |
| language should be used. | | | | To begin with, you would need a plenty of copies |
| 3. Right material | | | | of the final output. Save your production in a |
| Be sure that the text used in the CBT is designed | | | | good quality master CD or DVD and go for CD or |
| to meet the client's needs. This means the right | | | | DVD duplication or replication from a reliable DVD |
| sub-topics within the subject must be covered. | | | | duplication company. Spend some time on |
| While preparing the draft, try to give answers to | | | | choosing the right company as the quality of the |
| questions such as the overall time of the training, | | | | duplicated CDs or DVDs will play a major role in |
| what topics are most important, or whether | | | | the success of your CBT. |
| maps or diagrams are required or not. | | | | Don’t forget to look for quality CD or DVD |
| Also decide whether you would like to incorporate | | | | packaging solutions too, if you don’t want to |
| materials such as video, audio, slides, pictures, and | | | | spend time on designing the packaging yourself. |
| screen captures of software programs. In order | | | | Usually, a reliable DVD duplication company offers |
| to provide the best training, you need to have a | | | | packaging solutions too. |
| solid grasp of the material. | | | | Once the copies of your CBT are ready, you can |
| 4. Prepare a rough draft | | | | distribute the same to book stores which also |
| After finding the answers of all the queries, make | | | | stock educational material and negotiate with |
| a rough outline of the training in a form of a | | | | dealers of educational material or even distribute |
| formal document. Try to make it in a systematic | | | | and market it online. |
| manner so that you know which page should | | | | Follow these steps and your CBT will be firmly on |
| come next. This would help to mitigate any | | | | the road to success. Always give stress on the |
| confusions or repetitions later. | | | | quality factor be it choosing the right material, |
| 5. Create a storyboard | | | | selecting the CD/DVD format and for selecting a |
| On the basis of your training module, you need to | | | | reliable CD or DVD duplication company. |
| create a storyboard. Make sure that the text and | | | | |