14 DAY TRIAL // Culture and education need now, perhaps more than ever, freshening up. Ideas have arisen and somewhat important measures were taken. The poor adaptation of the educational system is as significant in well developed countries as it is in the Eastern Europe. We're all facing the same problems: old methods, lack of interest from both trainers and trainees, poor management, missing stability and flexibility.
The technological background allowed a new direction to emerge, called generically eLearning, aiming to boost up education and training. This mainly refers to bringing computers and computer-related technologies in the learning process, in a more or less direct manner. This does not mean replacing the teacher with a PC, but on the contrary. It means giving the teacher tools to ease his work, as well as improve it.
E-Learning improves educational methods with the use of the Internet, web-enabled applications, stand-alone software, presentations and slide-shows, and so on. One of the easiest to use type of e-Learning applications is a builder. An e-Learning builder can dynamically create all sorts of tutorials, tests, presentations.
Looking for such a tool, I've set my eyes on Advanced eLearning Builder, developed by EduIQ.com. It's a Windows application that can be used to assemble tests, presentations, even tutorials. The user will create pages containing text, questions, pictures, will arrange the pages in a suitable order, forming a unit. This unit will then be compiled into an executable file, and this will be the application to use. This application is stable, it will act as the creator wanted it to, not allowing any modifications to take place after it has reached the .exe form.
I will present a way to use this software for creating a test, hoping this will give a fair overall impression about the program, its features and abilities.
After having launched the application, you will see a small toolbar called Tools, with four buttons. To create a new test, choose New from the toolbar. After doing so, many other buttons will appear on the toolbar. You now have created a project. This project will contain several pages; the pages will contain text, images, questions. A page can be either built from zero, by choosing New Page and adding objects on the page, or by using template pages, after choosing New Page From Template.
Regardless of the chosen manner, any page will contain typical Windows controls, like buttons, textboxes, labels, radio controls, checkboxes and so on. These controls will be customized and personalized by the user. He or she will use the template of each control to create test items, like multiple choice questions, yes or no questions, "fill in the gaps" items and many others. The user will specify for each question the right answer/answers and the manner of grading.
The program offers a wide range of templates, relevantly named. They are parted in four similar groups, namely autumn, spring, summer and winter, according to each color theme: red/orange, green/pink, blue/gray. I've only mentioned 3 themes because, without any explanation, none of the templates from the summer group are available. Otherwise, the themes are quite nice, a little bit too colorful for my taste, but pleasant.
The templates are numerous and contain various combinations of controls. Normally, these templates should be enough for the typical user. However, if a particular structure is needed for the test/page, they can build it on an empty background using custom controls. I must say, for me that was quite a task. I found it rather difficult, saving was poor (it needs express saving, otherwise your work is lost on compilation), I sometimes needed to guess what some things referred to (for example, button types). My advice would be to limit yourself to the templates, they're just fine. And they save you the trouble.
After you've created each page, ordered them into a compact test (using the explorer, which is interesting), you will compile the test. This should result in a ready-to-use executable file, the final test. It can be copied on several computers and taken at the same time by a whole classroom, let's say. The test will not allow going back to previous pages, unless you deliberately planed it so. After it's finished, it will be automatically graded. You can decide what it should say at the end (if anything), depending on the grade. Also, you can choose to inform the person who is taking the test if the answers he or she validated were correct, and, if not, which were the right ones.
I've written about building a test for schoolchildren using Advanced eLearning Builder. But there is a large variety of ways one can use this software. It can be used by employers to initially or periodically test their employees; it can be used for evaluation purposes in general, feed-backs and so on. You can chose not to use it for testing, but for creating presentations or tutorials (using just text, images, OLE objects, buttons, and others).
The Good
Advanced eLearning Builder is a powerful eLearning tool that can be used for multiple purposes. Test building is particularly good, and the range of templates is impressive. The output functions well, as one would expect (if you managed to build it ok in the first place, of course).
The Bad
If you choose not to use the templates, it gets a little difficult; some options are insufficiently documented. I would have preferred it a little less colorful. Before purchase, a very annoying nag screen appears. This will, of course, go away after you buy the product. When not registered, the output has an initial page with data about registration and license fees.
The Truth
If you need an eLearning software to help you develop various materials for educational purposes (and not only), you'll be satisfied with Advanced eLearning Builder, and for a fair price. The interface is nice and once you've learned to manage it, it's quite easy to use.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
