Brandon-Hall Critique
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June 24, 2004
Managing Knowledge for Multiple Products, Brands or Partners from a Single Install
Since 1992, brandon-hall.com has been providing independent expert advice in the form of published reports on the tools of e-learning: LMS, LCMS, authoring tools, content providers, and other tools that help organizations develop successful e-learning solutions.
Vuepoint Learning System is one of only a few systems covered in this report that include LCMS, LMS and virtual classroom software as part of a single-point solution, allowing companies to manage knowledge for multiple products and brands or multiple partners from a single install. However, the system is also modular enough that the LCMS can be used in a best of breed configuration with other third-party LMS solutions as well.
We found the system to be one of the easiest to use from a novice developer痴 perspective. The interface was very intuitive, and we were able to move through our review tasks very quickly with little difficulty. For example, when we set up a new course, a wizard guided us through the process and even offered suggestions for various instructional modules. Based on our answers, the system automatically set up the appropriate course structure. We also selected our look and feel from a series of templates. It was as easy as picking a background in PowerPoint. The look-and-feel templates are well designed and attractive, with muted colors and watermarks to focus attention on the content rather than the background and button sets. We discovered that the system has one of the easiest tools to use for creating your own new schemas (both look-and-feel and text styles) of all the systems we reviewed. In addition, you can create your own schemas for local use (within the course you are building) or make the template available to various groups, or even the entire enterprise, by simply choosing the level of deployment.
The company has obviously focused a lot of their attention on making the system more than just a content assembly tool. Even though we could quickly use our externally created legacy content, we found ourselves spending most of the review time trying out the on-board content authoring tools. A novice content author would most likely feel very comfortable in the system. We opened the Repository Viewer and quickly uploaded our legacy content using a simple browse approach. We appreciated the fact that the system has preview utilities everywhere, even inside the import window.
We pulled in the Flash file into page one and resized it on screen. Next, we imported a Microsoft Word file. We liked the fact that the system gave us a choice of whether to convert the file or keep it in its native format, although we know that the advantage of automatic conversion is that the objects become editable and reusable when automatically converted to HTML. For example, the Word document we imported contained text and graphics. Once imported, we were able to use the onboard HTML editor to reposition the graphics and even use them on another page.
PowerPoint import was just as easy. We threw the system a curve ball by importing a PowerPoint with embedded audio (in .wav file format). Most of the other LCMS products required us to extract the audio first and then import it separately. CERTPOINT handled this situation with more elegance by giving us the option to convert the PowerPoint to Flash on-the-fly (a new feature recently added to the system). The resulting content was an animated Flash file with all the custom PowerPoint animations preserved and automatically synced with the content � without having to do further preparation on the file outside the system. We think this will be a great time saver for those organization with a need for converting large amounts of PowerPoint-based content.
We used a wide variety of built-in authoring utilities and found some unique differences when compared to other LCMS products. Most systems have templates for creating test questions. Vuepoint Learning System has themed templates that go beyond the standard format. For example, they have a couple of themed exercise for drag-and-drop learning activities. In addition to offering a freeform drag-and-drop question type, we used a template called Shredder, in which the learner drags selections from a list to a graphical paper shredder and the objects are destroyed. This would be a great template type for posing a question such as: Remove all the objects that don稚 belong in this sequence. There are many of these themed templates for questions, Flash activities, or even for things like showing a list of learning objectives. The system has a wide range of collaboration tools � from simple threaded discussion groups all the way to full virtual classroom implementation � as part of the standard package. We discovered that the host of virtual sessions can perform live searches on the learning content database and use them as part of the learning experience.
While many systems allow somewhat linear branching, we enjoyed being able to create hyperlinks and branching based on performance to other pages, external URLs and even round-trip calls to specific learning objects (go out and complete the learning object, then return to the point of origin). Although the system doesn稚 seem to allow for very complex or sophisticated branching schemas, we found it to have just enough capability to offer good remediation for learners.
On the downside
One thing that might be a bit difficult for novice developers is that some often-used functions (such as adding a new distracter to a test question) are only accessible through right-mouse button clicks. Although this is a simple thing, it could extend the learning curve for a brand-new user, especially ones that are non-technical.
The system has a great hot spot editor for creating discovery exercises or dynamic menus by placing touch areas on top of graphics. We were disappointed to find out that the editor can稚 be used to create test questions (seems like a natural). Likewise, we enjoyed the ease of use of the matching question tool, but we discovered that it doesn稚 support graphic-to-text matches. Finally, we discovered that you have to manually designate content as sharable, reusable learning objects. Some might argue that this is a good thing because systems that make all things sharable quickly create a quagmire of useless content that most likely won稚 be reused. However, the manual process is the other extreme.
On the whole
Vuepoint Learning System has extensive capabilities in the area of novice-friendly content authoring and is very WYSIWYG. The system is a double threat because it has its own built-in, robust LMS. However, the company is also very open to integration with other third-party tools. This is a very strong contender in the LCMS space.
Best use recommendations
Look at this system if you are looking for LCMS/LMS and virtual classroom in a single-point solution. Another reason to evaluate this system is if you plan on using a lot of novice developers in the content creation process. The company has a strong vertical focus on customer and channel partner training (product knowledge training), so it would be a natural to evaluate for use in this area.
Built-in content authoring functionality
The LCMS is a full-featured content authoring tool.
Content authoring overview
The CERTPOINT system is focused on helping subject matter experts create content without dealing
with IT issues, integration or programming.
Local client vs. browser-based content development and/or assembly Content authoring or assembly is done through an application (local client) installed on the developers computer.
Built-in assessment development and delivery utilities Yes.
Level of expertise required to use the system The Content Creator is designed for employees with minimal instructional design skills and does not require any writing of code. There are wizards built in to assist in course creation. No technical expertise is required other than a basic understanding of Windows navigation.
Template types
The CERTPOINT system has 15 template types, with the flexibility to mix and match among types.