Morphed Letters
6 messages in this thread
Tapes and books don't go well together IHMO. But interactice CD ROM
tutorials are great. One example we have of an interactive product is
Master C and Master C++, both of which convert the computer into an
instructor.
Mitchell,
Pardon my thread crashing here but I am interested in who makes Master c
interactive learning discs?? I am looking for any way to bring better
methods to teaching this stuff. We don't use the best technology to teach
technology. There is still too much Sage on the stage lecturing- IMHO.
thanks,
PAT
Exato-mento Pat. We are the publishers of Master C and Master C++,
interactive CBTs (computer based training). Both these products go to one
extreme, turning the PC into an instructor you interacte with. They are
lesson based and therefore learning something requires taking a tutorial.
You are graded by the system and can jump into the tutorial anywhere. When
you make a mistake you are sent back to the point at which the idea you
don't understand was first explained.
We are working on some newer technology that uses the "knowbot" approach.
In this case the computer watches the way you use the program and asks you
simple questions. In the course of doing that it offers ideas for improving
your use of the program, like shortcuts, methods, tips, etc.
I don't see too many software manufacturers offering even the crudest of on
line intelligent help, let alone training. It takes much energy just
keeping up with the features wars. Microsoft's Excel battle with Lotus
1-2-3 for Windows is a good example of learning systems leaking into
products finally. Microsoft attempted to add a new dimension of help in
using its vast feature set by including a set of agent dialog boxes that
aid you in setting up something complex like a 3-D three series bar chart
with a line chart average overlaid on it.
>Tapes and books don't go well together.<
I generally agree, especially for basic (C++, etc) instruction. However, in
this field, after one learns the basic system (how to run the program), the
next and much harder step is to develop the ability to apply the basics
creatively – how do I put what is in my mind onto the tape?! The current
3DS scene makes everyone "reinvent the wheel" (unless he GOs ASOFT <g>).
There is a wealth of creative info locked up in that 3DS tape. Unless the
creators want to keep their trade secrets, it would be easy to break the
tape into short segments, interspaced with hints and techniques. The hints
and techniques could be either in the form of additional info on the tape,
or (to keep guys like you in business) in an accompaning book. I'd gladly
pay $200 (maybe even $495?) for that kind of information.
JKJ (with so much to learn, so little time)
I'm not against the tape idea, its a neat idea. I just would think a CD
with similar information would be easier to sell, cheaper, etc. But you
would be a littel ahead since not that many 3DS readers have CDs. (I'd
guess under 10%).
Woah! Only 10% have CDROMS??? Then 90% of the people are missing 90% of
the fun! (and the maps, and the meshes, … ) A CD would be slick but a
tape would be a lot cheaper to produce – and just as valuable to the
mutated <g> set.