Free-to-use e-learning development 14: Learning Content Development System
Having recently looked at two pretty good free-to-use tools (Producer and Media Encoder) from a surprising source (Microsoft), today I will discuss the third in their little triumvirate of tools, the Microsoft Learning Content Development System or LCDS.
LCDS is a free-to-use application based on Silverlight technology. It enables the rapid creation of good-quality, interactive, online courses. The authoring tool allows e-learning professionals to generate e-learning courseware in a form-based environment to generate text-based content, interactions, quizzes, games, assessments, animations, demos, and other multimedia.
The LCDS user interface consists of three major sections: Course Structure, Templates, and Page (see Figure 1).
Figure 1 The LCDS authoring environment
[Click to Enlarge]
As is common in this type of “painting by numbers” content integration environment, content authors follow this path:
- Create a new course or open an existing course
- Develop a course structure
- Select templates
- Add and save content
- Preview your course
- Generate an Index
- Distribute the course via the web, LMS, or CD/DVD
The LCDS includes a library of forms-based content templates. Each template is grouped by its learning mode. The learning modes are represented by icons, as shown below.
Table 1 LCDS Activity Types
| Icon | Type | Description | Activity |
 |
Interact | Interact pages signify any media topic page that allows learners to interact with the content. Adventure Activities, for example, allow learners to choose their own path through the branching logic of a scenario. | Adventure Activity
Drag and Drop Interactive Job Aid Slider |
 |
Watch | The Watch learning mode signifies any media topic page that you view passively. Examples include videos, demos, and animations. | Animation
Demo Media with Key Points Click Table Animation |
 |
Play | The Play learning mode signifies any game-like topic pages. Examples include the Sort Game and Tile Game. Games are less formal than assessment questions by nature. Unlike most interactivities, games introduce the possibility that learners will lose the game. | Sort Game
Tile Game |
 |
Read | The Read learning mode signifies any passive topic pages that include text, tables, or graphics. Click tables are included in this category. Often, in e-learning, Read page types have been the default. With the simplified authoring process of the LCDS, it is easier than ever to offer greater variety and interactivity to learners. That said, when designing courses, consider the many other page types available to create the best interactive learning experience possible. | Introduction
Text and Picture Table Click Table Multiple Choice True False Essay Question Glossary Show Hide |
 |
Try | The Try learning mode signifies any topic page where the learner performs a hands-on task in the product user interface. Examples include any kind of lab, whether it is on a user’s local machine, on a virtual PC, or in a simulation. | Simulation
Lab Scenario/Offline |
 |
Classroom | The Classroom mode signifies any topics types that are best suited for use alongside classroom training. Classroom topics can accommodate longer, supplemental style readings. | Text, Picture and Table |
The Microsoft Learning Content Development System is SCORM 1.2 conformant, and is distributable via zip package to LMSs. It supports most common media formats including SWF (but not FLV) and, of course all Microsoft media file types including WAV, BMP, WMA, and WMV.
Courseware is output to a utilitarian user interface. As you can see from Figure 2, with it’s no-frills look it’s never going to win any awards for aesthetic appeal, but it is workmanlike, easily navigable, legible, and sports some nicely implemented features including a good-sized savable Notes box.
Figure 2 The LCDS client / viewer UI
[Click to enlarge]
Click here to register for and download Microsoft LCDS, and here to find out more about its core technology, Silverlight.
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November 19 2009 04:00 pm | e-learning
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