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QUESTION
How can I capture screens from a software program and turn the screens into a training environment?
ANSWER
Prentice
When we produce software training, we use three modes of displaying the content.
- Tell me what it is. Introduces the software and how it relates to a person’s job function. That can be done by screen capture software.
- Show me. Offers an animated sequence of screen interactions. That also can be done by screen capture software.
- Let me try. Allows the learner to actually use the program by clicking buttons and typing data into data entry fields.
“Let me try” is the section that requires programming; that mode and assessments can’t be done effectively just with screen capture software. You need to program the location coordinates for simulated button clicks and set variables for any simulated data entry fields. If you need to do any testing you must program an assessment that includes data output functions that will interface with an LMS. Dummy data can be used to develop the "let me try" mode and testing areas so that you don’t need a live application. That mode also enables you to track users’ data. For example, one program we produced for call center training needed to report how long it took a person to access all of the screens during a call. We used screen capture software for the "show me" mode and a programmed simulation of the software for the “let me try" mode and assessment.
So, if you just need to show a software screen interaction and don’t need the user to try a simulated version of the software, then screen capture software will work fine. If you need to simulate the actual functions of the software or test the user’s ability to use the software after training, then you’ll need an authoring tool that supports hot spot and variable programming. We use Macromedia Flash for all of our software simulation programs due to the popularity of the plug-in on corporate intranets.
Yakimovicz
Qarbon's Viewlet Builder (www.qarbon.com) will take screen shots, and there is some limited capability for data entry or clicking of hot areas on the screen to emulate icon or button operation. Another good program, albeit pricey, is XHLP (www.xhlp.com). It seems to allow just what you’re looking for and is designed for development by non-technical folks.
Parkin
For about US$400 you can get RoboDemo, one of the best capture tools around, with the ability to post-edit and insert interactive functionality. It captures screen demos and creates Flash movies from them. (www.ehelp.com/products/robodemo)
Another excellent widely used tool, but with more-limited functionality, is Camtasia. It costs about $150. (www.techsmith.com/products/camtasia/camtasia.asp).
You could also look at Outstart's SimSoft (www.outstart.com).
Published: July 2003