Recommendations |
This section discusses our recommendations for the design and delivery of the EnterTech Project curriculum. These recommendations are based on the ideas and advice gathered in the interview process, the review of the current literature regarding relevant technologies, the analysis of potential delivery sites, and finally, our experience in education and media technologies.
General Guiding Principles or Ideas
Keep It Simple
What the EnterTech Project seeks to accomplish is ambitious; its scope is large; it has many elements which must all work together. In other words, things are complicated enough already. Technology is necessary to get this job done, but technology must not get in the way. The primary criterion in selecting appropriate technologies for EnterTech should be simplicity. Holding to this principle, can ease development, speed implementation, and dramatically reduce support costs.
Must Use the Web
The advantages made available by the Internet and especially by the World Wide Web are too great to ignore. The web greatly eases the problem of distribution. It gives wide and easy access through a naturally interactive medium. It solves the "version" problem -- updates are immediate and everyone has them -- and it enables detailed tracking of student activity and progress. In addition, web browsers are powerful software applications with very sophisticated capabilities. It makes good sense to leverage these capabilities as much as possible.
Bandwidth is Everything
Effective interactive training requires a certain system throughput in order to maintain meaningful interaction with the student. In other words, if the student has to wait too long, you have lost her. This is true on any computer based training system, whether stand-alone or networked. Given that the web presents great advantages for EnterTech delivery, the question is "How much bandwidth is available at the student's computer?" This bandwidth determines how much of the EnterTech curriculum may be delivered effectively via the web.
Web Design and Authoring Guidelines
HTML is the Standard File Format
Of course HTML is the format of the web pages that will be generated, but one can gain efficiencies in the production and administration of the EnterTech web site by adopting HTML as the standard file format for as many other types of files and communication as possible. This should be a requirement for all contractors and subcontractors. For example, all email communications should use HTML. Links to HTML pages should be used instead of enclosures or attachments to email messages whenever possible. Microsoft Word files should be saved as HTML unless there is some special formatting required that HTML does not allow.
Text-only First, then Graphic Design
In the design phase, all the elements of the EnterTech web site should be designed and implemented first as text-only. This is the best way to focus on the structure and navigation of the site. Graphics should be an enhancement, but one should make sure that all the basic functions are being met first, before doing the graphic design. Of course, the simulation element is primarily graphics, but even the simulation can be prototyped in text first.
Just About Any Web Authoring Tool Will Do
Just about any web-authoring tool can do the job. Of course HTML can be coded in a text editor like Notepad, but an authoring tool can speed some tasks. We have a preference for tools that generate standard plain vanilla code. Microsoft FrontPage sometimes does peculiar things with the HTML, so it might not be the best choice. NetObjects Fusion is not quite as idiosyncratic as FrontPage, plus it has very powerful precise layout control and excellent cross browser support for D-HTML. Macromedia Dreamweaver appears to have the best combination of powerful features with the ability to generate very solid and standard HTML. There are many other web authoring tools however that would also serve the purpose, and the one that is currently "the best" changes almost from month to month.
Author for the Web, not CD-ROM
The target environment is a web browser. Therefore, one should author for this specific environment. The problem (or perhaps, temptation) is to use the most powerful and widely used multimedia authoring tool, Macromedia Director. This, in our view, would be a mistake. Director's strength is authoring for CD-ROM or kiosk-type delivery environment. Macromedia has not yet and may never be able to successfully migrate Director to being a useful web authoring tool. On the other hand, Macromedia Flash is well suited to the web, and Macromedia has developed Dreamweaver Attain and Authorware Attain, both of which are designed specifically to author web-based training.
Hybrid Web/CD-ROM delivery
A hybrid web/CD-ROM strategy is the best approach to solve the bandwidth problem. Some locations will have enough bandwidth for the EnterTech Project curriculum to be delivered entirely over the web. However, at least in the earliest stages of EnterTech delivery, a significant number of sites will not. The high bandwidth portions of the content, that is, audio and video, should be distributed on CD-ROM, whereas the low bandwidth portions, mostly text and graphics, should be delivered over the web. Over the years, as bandwidth increases at the delivery sites, EnterTech can gradually phase out the CD-ROM.
Minimize Plug-ins
EnterTech will have little control over the configuration of computers in the delivery sites. This is one reason to limit the number of browser plug-ins required. Another reason is that plug-ins add complexity and therefore increase the support cost. The curriculum design should rely on the standard set of functions available in browsers as much as possible.
Cross Platform Capability
Public schools will be one of the key vendors supplying delivery sites for the EnterTech curriculum. These schools are generally moving more toward Wintel platforms and away from the Macintosh, but there will still be a significant Macintosh presence in the year 2000. This means that the CD-ROM must work on both Macs and Wintel machines, and even more importantly, it means that any browser plug-ins that are used must be available for both platforms and must function predictably in both environments. This requirement eliminates plug-ins like Asymetrix's Neuron, which is currently available only for Windows browsers.
Use Cascading Style Sheets, Dynamic HTML, Flash, QuickTime, RealAudio
These technologies add significant capabilities beyond what HTML alone can deliver, and they do it in an efficient and reliable way. There are some differences between browsers in how Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and Dynamic HTML (D-HTML) are implemented, but most web authoring tools take these into account, and this will be less of an issue in future browsers.
XML Later
XML is a very promising technology, but it is a meta-language, that is it is a language for creating specialized markup languages. EnterTech does not have the time or resources to use XML to define a custom markup language for the EnterTech curriculum. It is likely however that in the near future someone else will use XML to develop a customized markup language that is optimized for training. When this occurs, it may be useful for EnterTech to migrate to this format.
Maybe JavaScript
If there is some functionality that cannot be achieved in either HTML or one of the enhancements discussed in the previous section, then JavaScript is the preferred approach for adding this functionality. This adds some complexity, must therefore be carefully tested, and may raise support costs, so it is very important to be sure that the added functionality is worth it. The plus side of JavaScript is that there is a large selection of useful scripts available on the web.
No Frames, Java Applets, VBScript, Shockwave
Frames are an unnecessary complication. Java applets run in what is called a "Java Virtual Machine," and this virtual machine is inconsistently implemented across browsers. Applets can be quite large and therefore take some time to download. They have a tendency to crash, often requiring a complete reboot of the computer. Java is an excellent programming language, and the results are generally good when the programs are compiled, but Java applets are not the same thing. It is the Java Virtual Machine that is the problem, and one should avoid using it if at all possible. Java is well suited for writing server-side applications; it is on the client side that it is problematic.
VBScript is Microsoft's answer to JavaScript. It is not as generally accepted as JavaScript. Shockwave comes in two very different varieties: Shockwave for Director and Shockwave Flash. When we say, "do not use Shockwave," we mean do not use the Shockwave for Director plug-in that allows the use of Director authored movies in a web browser. Shockwave for Director is a "kludge." Its file sizes are too large, and it has a tendency to crash. Macromedia's Flash is a useful web technology, and it is unfortunate that Macromedia confuses the issue by using "Shockwave" to describe it as well. Even though Shockwave for Director and Shockwave for Flash will be included in both Microsoft’s and Netscape’s 5.0 browsers, it is the 4.0 browsers that will be the lowest common denominator for EnterTech. In our view, Shockwave for Director should be avoided if possible.
Forget about COM/DCOM, CORBA, Application Servers, Network Management Systems
Either these are too complicated, not appropriate for EnterTech's purposes, they do not work, or all of the above. In any case, EnterTech does not need these headaches.
Design for Fastest Possible Page Load
When the student clicks on a link to a new page it is very important that the page loads as quickly as possible. It is also important, if it will take some time for the page to load, that the student sees some progress being made. This precludes the use of pages that are one huge table (because in most browsers nothing is displayed until the table is completed). It also suggests that progressive JPEG may be appropriate for still images.
Include the Preferred Browser on the CD-ROM
This does not take much space on the CD-ROM, and it makes good sense as a sort of "preemptive" support move. In most cases the browser already installed at the delivery site will work fine. If it does not, then the facilitator has easy access to one that is configured properly. It is also possible to custom-configure a browser for EnterTech’s purposes. For example, custom icons, menu items, and bookmark files could be included. Both Microsoft and Netscape provide a customizing service like this for ISP’s, so it may be possible to obtain a custom browser for EnterTech.
Use Student and Facilitator Input/Feedback to Add Value to the Site
One of the biggest advantages of the web is its currency. The value of EnterTech is significantly enhanced to the degree its web content is current. The problem with achieving this is cost. Normally it would mean having an employee charged with the responsibility of continually adding content to the web site. This cost can be significantly reduced however if one takes advantage of the students and facilitators involved in EnterTech. In other words, have students and facilitators help in authoring the site. For example, as an assignment, students could look for relevant information on the web and submit these examples (also via the web). Then someone can simply check these submissions to see if they are relevant or not. If relevant, they are retained in the database and used in the web site. Facilitator comments, suggestions, and so on may be incorporated in the same way. This is a way to continually keep the site current and fresh at a very low cost.
Upgrade the Video Elements to MPEG-2 and MPEG-4
The users’ idea of what is "quality" or "acceptable" video on a computer screen is a moving target. DVD’s will play a large part in upgrading the general population's expectations for video. For this reason, all of the video elements for EnterTech should be post-produced in a broadcast quality format and then compressed and encoded for CD-ROM (currently, we recommend the Sorenson or Cinepak video codecs). The edited broadcast-quality masters can then later be compressed and encoded for MPEG-2, and later still, MPEG-4 (or, any other compression scheme that may emerge in the marketplace). Software decoders for MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 will be available in browsers within five years. The important thing is to do all post-production BEFORE compression. This will allow EnterTech to migrate its audio and video material to improved compression/delivery methodologies, as they become viable.
Web Implementation Guidelines
Choose a Web Server: AOLserver, Apache, or Microsoft IIS Recommended
AOLserver (http://www.aolserver.com/server/index.html) is a very powerful freeware web server. Originally developed by Navisoft, it is the engine behind www.aol.com Apache (http://www.apache.org/) is another freeware web server. It is widely used, and like Linux, gains much from the input of hundreds of programmers all across the Internet who contribute their efforts to Apache's ongoing development. If Unix/Linux is chosen as the operating system, then AOLserver or Apache should be the web server.
Another option is to go entirely Microsoft -- Windows NT, IIS as the web server, and active server pages for the web to database links. The advantage to this is that then all the support would come from one source, Microsoft.
Establish and Enforce a Site Style Sheet
One of the most important preliminary steps is to specify the data structure for the site (including the database linked to it) and a style sheet specifying how all types of information are to be presented.
Design and Implement Web Forms for All Web Site Administration
Part of the web site design should be the preparation of administration web pages for adding, deleting, or editing any site content (except the simulation itself, which remains the same). This approach protects the integrity of the site because it keeps anyone from modifying the file system or database directly. It also is the easiest way to enforce the style guidelines for the site.
Have a Plan to Upgrade Server Capacity and Net Connection as Demand Dictates
EnterTech should plan for success, and success means many students. The web and database servers should be easily scalable, as should the bandwidth of the Internet connection. We recommend mirrored database/web servers to start, expandable to a larger cluster as demand grows.
Leverage the Cable Modem and ADSL ISP Infrastructure
The infrastructure being installed by Time Warner (for Road Runner) and TCI (for @Home) is very impressive. It includes extremely high bandwidth fiber rings and caching servers in regional operation centers. This infrastructure will increase performance by caching the most popular web sites. Since the cable industry has committed to installing a cable modem in every school in their coverage areas, and since Road Runner and @Home will cover all the major markets in Texas, EnterTech can gain a significant advantage if the EnterTech curriculum is cached by Road Runner and @Home.
It is likely that the telephone companies will be forced to offer similar capabilities through ADSL. The more delivery sites that use cable modems or ADSL, the faster EnterTech can expand without having to increase the capacity of its own server. Even if the EnterTech curriculum is not cached by Time Warner, TCI, or the telcos, the bandwidth increase that cable modems and ADSL will bring to schools is highly significant, and will make it possible to deliver the entire curriculum by way of the web.
Database Guidelines
Choose Unix or Windows-NT: Unix preferred
Either operating system will do what EnterTech requires. One of the mainstream versions of Unix (or Linux) will be more stable than Windows NT, but Windows NT will continue to gain market share, particularly in the corporate realm, and for medium sized web sites.
Choose an SQL Database: Oracle or Solid Recommended
Oracle (www.oracle.com) is the market leader. The Oracle RDBMS is an excellent product and there are many people available who are qualified to administer an Oracle database. The downside is that Oracle usually involves a per-user license, and one really must have a person, at least part-time, to administer the database. This is the "industry-standard" way to go. Performance, costs, and availability of support are very predictable.
Solid (www.solidtech.com) is an RDBMS that is intended for embedded deployment and other applications where little or no maintenance is possible. It is priced on a per-webserver basis. It has the necessary capabilities, a good reputation, a low purchase price ($500), and promises to cost much less to maintain. However, Solid Technology Limited is a much smaller company than Oracle, and thus continued support is less predictable.
Use the Database to Web Server Link Only Where You Need It
The database should be used to handle student tracking and the transactions for any other information that changes often. An SQL relational database management system is desirable because the potential number of simultaneous transactions may be high. If this were not the case, a simpler database system like Access or Paradox would serve just as well.
It is not necessary or desirable to have every element of the web site stored in the database. The Unix or NT file system is capable of handling most of the text, audio, and video elements.
Decide if You Need/Want Full-text Indexing of the Database
In our view, full-text indexing of the database is not necessary. However, there may be some pedagogical or curriculum design advantage that we have overlooked. The reason this is important to consider is that a requirement for full-text indexing would change the recommended SQL databases. We would probably recommend Oracle with the Context option or IBM's DB2, but there may be other suitable possibilities. Like any other choice that adds complexity, full-text indexing will significantly increase the cost of implementing the RDBMS.
Do NOT Use Website-Database Tools from the Major Database Vendors
These products look great in the marketing literature, but many are still vaporware, and those that are available are version one. It is too risky to base the development of a program like EnterTech on early versions of these tools. It is much safer to handle the database to web server interaction through standard scripting tools/languages like Perl, Tcl, or (if Microsoft IIS is chosen) active server pages.
Develop a Long-term Web Site and Database Maintenance Plan (including a budget)
Again, we emphasize that there is a continuing cost involved in operating a web site and database. It is very important to include these ongoing needs in EnterTech's overall plan.
Pedagogical Guidelines
Use the Simulation as the Backbone and Driving Force
The simulated internship experience is the element that links all of the skill training content. It is also the motivation or driving force for the student. Thus, it is the single most important element for EnterTech.
Students Must Have Near Instant Feedback from Browser at All Times
We have discussed this already, but it bears repeating. When the student clicks on something or provides any other type of input, she must see a response of some kind almost immediately. Since in many cases the complete response may take some time to load, it is very important that the student see some progress being made. This immediacy reinforces the appropriateness of the student’s input and helps to maintain the student’s attention.
Use Smallest Possible Learning Modules
By using the smallest possible learning modules or "learning objects" two advantages are gained. First, this allows the greatest possible customization of the course content for individual students based on the results of a pretest. Second, this approach provides optimum flexibility when course content must be modified.
Use Audio to "Read" Text on the Screen (Do This Often)
This particular student population is not likely to read well. Aural reinforcement of printed text is particularly appropriate for this population. In addition, it is just sound pedagogical strategy to use as many channels of communication as possible. This increases both comprehension and retention.
Use Short Video Clips (usually 20 sec or less) for Parasocial Interaction, Identification, Modeling, Demonstration
Video clips should be used only where the motion really adds something to the presentation, and the video clips must be brief. Many times if the content is simply a "talking head," a still picture with audio will serve just as well. Examples of situations where the motion information provided by video is important are parasocial interaction, identification, and modeling.
Parasocial interaction is when a person interacts with a mediated person as if that mediated person is really there. This is just the kind of thing that is desirable in the simulation. For example, in the simulated internship, you want the student to rely on the supervisor as an authority figure, a source of information, and so on. Eye-contact and body language are important so video is appropriate.
Identification is exactly what it sounds like -- when a viewer identifies with a person shown in a mediated presentation. Presumably there will be occasions when it will be useful to show EnterTech students "people like themselves" as examples. The desired response is something like, "well, if she can do it, I can too." Video is much better than a still image if you want identification.
Modeling is copying behavior. You want the student to do something in just the same way as they see someone else doing it. Again, video is appropriate for this purpose.
Finally, demonstrations of some processes require video. But be careful about this. Some processes are better explained with still images or with an animation, particularly an interactive animation.
Print Hard Copy Materials On-site as Needed
There is no need to distribute printed material along with the CD-ROM. Any material that must be in hard copy form, for either the facilitator or the students, should come from the web site and be printed at the delivery site. HTML pages should suffice for most purposes, but if more precise page layout control is needed, Adobe Acrobat Reader can be used with *.pdf files.
Distribution Recommendations
Assume minimum system is:
Sites in Order of Preference
EnterTech will enhance its chances of success by concentrating on the delivery sites with the best computer and communication infrastructure. Very simply, this means community colleges are the preferred delivery location. In addition, there are many junior and senior high schools with adequate facilities; however, these may only be available in the evenings or on weekends. Career schools and community-based organizations are also possible. Finally, in some cases a particular company may want to use the EnterTech curriculum for its own entry-level workers.
Both the above priority list and the database of potential delivery sites included in this report are largely moot however since in most cases the choice of delivery site will be made by the local Workforce Development Board along with the Workforce Center operator. This choice will be made from each local board's list of approved vendors. In almost all cases these approved vendor lists include the local community college(s) and school district(s). In larger markets career schools and community based organizations are included as well.
Develop and Distribute EnterTech Preferred Platform Specifications
EnterTech delivery will begin in January 2000. Most of the delivery will be contracted for through the Texas Workforce Development Boards. It is advisable to notify potential computer based training contractors about the upcoming EnterTech curriculum and particularly about the minimum and recommended computer systems and communication capabilities for EnterTech's delivery. Informing potential contractors ahead of time will likely increase the potential number of suitable delivery sites. The minimum delivery system has already been described. The recommended platform should be:
Begin Small, Expand Slowly
Given the large potential number of students for EnterTech, one might think that striving for the largest possible number of delivery sites would be advisable. We do not believe this to be the case. At least for the first year or two of the project it will be very important to guarantee that each delivery site has all the support it needs. There will be difficulties with hardware, software, communication, and administration. These will require staff time and attention. The amount of time and attention required goes up as a multiple of the number of delivery sites. For this reason, it is imperative that EnterTech begins with a manageable number of the highest quality sites, and increases the number of delivery sites only as fast as the administrative and support resources allow.
Do not let the urgency of the need cause EnterTech to be pushed too quickly into too many delivery sites. A success that proceeds a little more slowly than one might like is much better than a speedy disaster.