PROTOTYPING OF COMPUTER-BASED TRAINING MATERIALS

This article proposes that prototyping would enhance the quality of bo th the computer-based training courseware development process and the final product. Too often a communication gap exists within a coursewar e design team or between designers and program sponsors or end-users. Prototyping uses common software utilities as design tools to more cle arly convey such aspects as learner-courseware interactivity, screen d esign, and navigation strategies, enhancing the understanding of packa ge functionality early in development, to enhance communication with s ponsors as well as fellow developers. Through spending modest amounts of time and resources on a prototype, considerable savings can be made by avoiding costly errors which then have to be rectified. In some ca ses, it may significantly reduce the risk of complete project failure.