If you’ve ever recorded a software simulation for soft skills or systems training courses, you know there’s a lot to consider. If you want a polished result, you can’t just launch your screen...
Published 9 years ago
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Follow This Process to Create Software Simulations and Systems Training Like a Pro
Thanks for the tips, Nicole. I'd like to second the importance of testing your recording screen resolution and quality before diving into the 'real' recording. It can certainly save you headaches down the track!
One small thing I'd like to add is the importance of allowing users to control the pacing of the simulation, particularly in demo-only mode when using text instead of audio narration to accompany the process animations. Having slides change before slow readers have finished reading all content on-screen is a huge source of frustration. I've found that pausing the simulation on screens where there is lots of text (particularly when providing additional information beyond the core process steps being demonstrated), and allowing users to click 'Next' to move on when they are ready gives them a far greater sense of control and comfort, reducing that 'rushed' feeling some users report when working through systems simulations.
One small thing I'd like to add is the importance of allowing users to control the pacing of the simulation, particularly in demo-only mode when using text instead of audio narration to accompany the process animations. Having slides change before slow readers have finished reading all content on-screen is a huge source of frustration. I've found that pausing the simulation on screens where there is lots of text (particularly when providing additional information beyond the core process steps being demonstrated), and allowing users to click 'Next' to move on when they are ready gives them a far greater sense of control and comfort, reducing that 'rushed' feeling some users report when working through systems simulations.
- Thanks for your comments, Luke! That is a really great point and a good tip about the pacing of simulations... I also don't like it when people decide on an arbitrary amount of time to let the learners read the slide before auto-advancing.. some people are slow readers like you said, others like to re-read a few times to make sure they understand... Also love your point about giving learners more control... Great comment, Luke, thanks again! :)
