Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 1997
Phase I Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)

Strategic Education Services, Inc.
624 West Church Rd.
Sterling, VA 20164
Phone: (703)430-5759
Fax: (703)430-5740
E-mail: PDMUNGER@aol.com
Paul David Munger, PI

Developing and Adapting Computer Based Training Technologies to Provide and Enhance Workplace Competencies in Under educated and Under employed Workers

This project will accomplish three objectives including

Research Results

Through the use of a questionnaire responded to by about 200 employers, it was found employers and supervisors believe the majority of their employees lack significant skill with reading and mathematics. It was reported by employers and supervisors that employees computer skills were almost nonexistent among operational personnel, and not strong among office and support personnel. Using a specific set of criteria to evaluate computer based delivery methods, it was concluded that there were four that met the predetermined criteria. The four were CD-ROM, floppy disk, asynchronous computer conferencing and Internet-based training.

Datamat Systems Research, Inc.
8260 Greensboro Dr.
Suite 255
McLean, VA 22102
Phone: (703)917-0880 x 226
Fax: (703)917-0563
E-mail: jbala@dsri.com
J. Bala, PI

Computer Based Instructional System for Computer and Information Literacy

The project will be concerned with the development of an interactive Internet courseware for computer and information literacy. The courseware will consist of five course modules including computer basics, operating systems basics, computer networks, Internet, and world wide web.

Research Results

The project produced a conceptual framework for the development of a prototype teaching module. The framework developed will be used for all six teaching modules providing consistence for the learner. The six modules projected for development include public access networks & electronic mail; operating systems & environments; document preparation; ethics of computer-assisted information access and use; data visualization, analysis, & presentation; and information resources.

Instructional Authoring System Development for Networked Environments

To addresses the cost-effectiveness issue that focuses of this project is directly on the software tool that is used for the creation of interactive instructional systems on the Internet; the authoring system for Internet courseware delivery. The ultimate goal is to develop an Internet Multimedia Courseware Authoring System for constructing adaptive and Internet instruction.

Research Results

Preliminary findings indicate that courses can be delivered through the computer network technology-Internet. A prototype model course was developed, being highly interactive and adaptive and actively involves the student in the learning process. This instructional system is an authoring system for Web-based instruction. The prototype WebAuthor has four components, course delivery tool, course management tool, course authoring tool, and instructional Primitive library. The WebAuthor is made up of a multi-level hierarchy called the course structure.

Kinder Magic Software
1680 Meadowglen Lane
Encinitas, CA 92024
Phone: (760)632-6693
Phone: (760)632-6693
Fax: (760)632-9995
E-mail: ortabasi@aol.com
Ilse Ortabasi, PI

Web Based Simulation-Consumer Mathematics within a Functional Context for Adult Learners

This project is an innovative multimedia Web site featuring mini-simulations of situations in which the consumer mathematics are used in everyday life. The product is intended to be a useful quick reference for all adults.

Research Results

By the Numbers is a prototype for a Web-based simulation. It is consumer mathematics within a functional context for adult learners. The prototype is where learners face challenges related to everyday life that requires knowledge and application of basic consumer mathematics. The program allows the user to select a mini-simulation of the context in question.

Management Systems and Training Technology, Co.
2111 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 1050
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-528-8015
Phone: 410-889-6881
Fax: 703-528-7935
E-mail: ejrphd@aol.com
Eric J. Roberts, PI

Curriculum on Demand
This project will support adult learners who have had difficulty learning from the traditional means by providing curricular materials on demand. It will demonstrate an instructionally sound, cost effective, user friendly technology for delivering instruction directly to the learners home 24 hours a day.

Research Results

The project investigated a means of providing support to adult learners who have had difficulty learning from traditional means by providing curriculum materials on demand. The instruction consisted of courses in the SuccessMaker curriculum and the "thin-client" server was provide, installed, and configured by DataNetworks, Inc. A Baltimore city middle school agreed to serve as the host school and identified participants For the instructional programs. There were two important findings including solving for technical problems of providing access to courseware inexpensively and conveniently and discovering other variables that need to be considered when dealing with a particular clientele.

Dual, Inc
30 Skyline Dr.
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: 407-333-8880
Fax: 407-333-8850
E-mail: ddryer@dual.dualinc.com
David A. Dryer, PI

Virtual Experiential Training System (VETS) for Substance Abuse Awareness
Proposes to investigate the development of Virtual Experiential Training System (VETS). VETS will use emerging multi-sensory interaction, 3D rendering, and other simulation technologies to enable an individual to become personally involved in a participatory learning experience. The systems pilot learning experience is the critical area of substance abuse. The system has two primary modes of operation instructional and interactive.

Research Results

The overall objective of the project was to successfully demonstrate the technical feasibility of the VETS for substance abuse. The pilot learning experiment was successful. The project included an educational needs assessment, investigating the range of virtual and medical imaging technology solutions, investigating the technical feasibility of VETS features, developing a substance abuse scenario, and development of a VETS prototype.

Technical Learning Resources, Inc
255 Fairport Village Landing
Fairport, NY 14450
Phone: 716-223-6980
Fax: 716-223-6981
E-mail: tlrpres@aol.com

Classroom Anywhere Online, A Web Based Training Program
Using the company's current publications of successful courseware intends on combining its resource on the WWW to provide on-line training. The project emphasizes the company's vision of combining its process of personal instruction and the current courseware on line. Internet technologies are platform independent

Research Results

Authorware was chosen as the delivery system for the prototype as it offered unique options and was easier to program, update and maintain. The prototype provides interactive input from the customer and cause and effect simulation. The design of the lessons was able to emulate successful training guides with micromodular formatting and simple text combination of graphics. The pilot test uses Web technology to allow for easy movement within the module and for the creation of a help center accessible to the students.

This page last modified October 28, 2002 (jca)