Computer based training system

A method of producing data and programs for loading in a target computer to provide a computer based training system, the method comprising the steps of:

• preparing, by an author, a master media data document having media data and flags, said document containing training media and being prepared independently of the target computer;
• storing the master media document;
• generating a memory storyboard having a cellular structure in which there are groups of cells, each group being associated with an interfacing event of the target computer, an interfacing event being a set of interfacing actions between user interactivity points of the target computer, each of the cells within a group being individually addressable, and in which the interfacing actions are not time synchronized and are of different time durations;
• a production controller reading the master media data document, recognizing flags within the document, and pre-assigning each cell to an interfacing action according to the flags without input from the author, the production controller automatically transferring media data from the master media data document to relevant pre-assigned cells within the storyboard;
• processing, automatically by the production controller, each cell of the storyboard in turn to generate an interface file having action commands associated with cells of the storyboard, each action command comprising code for directing an interfacing action of a training system with respect to an associated cell, wherein the action commands are grouped in sequence to cause performance of an interfacing event delimited by interactivity points;
• generating a set of media records storing media data also stored in cells of the storyboard;
• and
• combining said media records and said interface file together with a training system control program.

A system-driven, computer based training method using a computerized training system in which overall execution is driven by an interface file, said computerized training system being used to perform at least one training unit associated with a subject to be learned by a user according to a system-determined presentation, the subject of said training unit being other than instruction on use of said computerized training system, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing independently addressable media records having media interface data;
• storing an interface file including a series of interface action commands for performance of a training unit associated with a subject or part of a subject to be learned by a user, each action command being associated with a media record and comprising code for instructing an interfacing action to be performed using media interface data retrieved from the media record;
• identifying a sequence of action commands which taken together constitute an interfacing event, an interfacing event being an event defined by a sequence of action commands which the system performs automatically and without user inputs between interactivity points, interactivity points being those points at which a user may input a signal;
• automatically performing, without user input, interfacing actions according to said sequence of action commands to perform the interfacing event;
• allowing input of a user input signal only at an interactivity point, said interactivity point being reached only after completing the interfacing event such that performance of the interfacing event may not be altered by the user;
• retrieving, in response to the received input signal, a simulation program and carrying out simulation operations according to the simulation program;
• and
• resuming, under system control and without user input, automatic identification of action commands for a next internally determined interfacing event and performing said next interfacing event to continue an execution path determined and controlled by the system sequentially using action commands in the interface file.