How It Works
PowerTrainer™ installs as a dropdown menu on the PowerPoint™ 2000 or XP menu bar. With it, users can easily create interactive standalone computer based training units and presentations. The training units and presentations can then be distributed on CDs to recipients who can view the unit with PowerTrainer's free viewer. (Recipients must have PowerPoint 2000 or XP installed to view the unit.) Recipients can also be given the option of using PowerTrainer's developer to edit training units during the developer's 45-day free trial period. (See the "Free Downloads" page of this Web site for more details.
PowerTrainer employs XML technology so files can be transmitted and processed differently based on each file's characteristics. The PowerTrainer viewer then assembles the files when the .ppt file is launched for viewing. This approach allows large files like images, audio, large documents, spreadsheets and digital movies to reside in local libraries while the small .ppt and .xml files can be sent through email. Very large multimedia projects can be created and edited by development teams through email. Only one copy of library files need exist on each LAN. Library files are transmitted once and can then be used any number of times. Only files that have been altered need to be transmitted for updates.
Trainers can give a presentation to a group then let each person study the material and self test using the computer based training features of PowerTrainer. Or distribute the training unit without giving a presentation in person. Then administer a written comprehensive exam on paper or through email. Trainers and learners can interact using rich multimedia by simply sending small .ppt and .xml files through email. For example, in distant learning scenarios library CDs can be mailed to students and class discussions conducted through email or with a list server.
A PowerTrainer training unit is a subfolder structure that contains any or all of the following:
The PowerPoint .ppt and/or .pps files,
A small .xml file with the same name as the files above - This file contains the text for each slide's mini-browser pop-up window and question pop-up window.
An "Images" subfolder with the .jpg image files that appear on the slides
An "Audio" subfolder that contains a subfolder for each audio language selected. Audio and movie files of each language are stored in that language's subfolder. Viewers select a audio language at run time.
Any user subfolders for documents, spreadsheets, Webs, etc. that are linked to a slide or a slide's mini-browser pop-up window. Viewers can, at the developer's option, view and/or edit these files at run time. For example, a Read-only or password protected Word™ document could contain essay questions and be saved as a different file name after being answered.
The training unit subfolder structure can be copied and/or moved and the PowerTrainer viewer will maintain the links to files in the structure. Files are linked not embedded so only one copy of a file need exist and any .ppt and .xml file in the training unit can reference it. Linking files also means edits are much easier. For example, if an image file is changed then all .ppt or .xml files that reference that file are automatically updated.
Training units can be used as building blocks in integrated information systems that both document and train. The PowerTrainer CD contains the following three examples of collaboratively built integrated systems:
Study Groups
Multilevel Learning Systems
Quality Systems
PowerTrainer tools can be used to:
Create and format slides from one or entire folder of .jpg image files in just seconds
Add any amount of text, hyperlinks or tables to a slide in a mini-browser pop-up window.
Ask a question on each slide with a pop-up question window and prepare a comprehensive exam of all questions.
Record audio tracks for each slide in any combination of over 100 languages.
Development of Computer Based Training is no longer something only specialists can do. Experienced PowerPoint users will typically learn the tools in less than an hour!
Several multimedia development programs are now on the market. Most are powerful, expensive and time consuming to learn. Try PowerTrainer free of change for 45 days. Simply go to the "Free Downloads" page (or if you prefer order a demo CD) and install PowerTrainer. If you don't agree it is powerful, easy to use and worth its price then just go to Add/Remove Programs on your computer's Control Panel and remove the program. No gimmicks - No risk.
PowerTrainer.Net Dropdown Menu
Click on a menu item or scroll down to view an explanation of each tool and how each is used to create training units and presentations. Clicking on a thumbnail will display a larger view of the tool window.
This tool creates and formats slides from one or entire folder of images. A sequence of several pictures taken with a digital camera will create formatted slides in seconds. The aspect ratio (height of width ratio) of most digital cameras is the same as a slide so further cropping and/or adjusting an image to fit on a slide is usually not necessary. Return to Menu
Any combination of navigation buttons can be added to a slide or just as easily to all slides with this tool. The buttons' functions are:
Reload the Slide - Replays the audio and any animation on the slide
Forward to Next Slide
Back to Previous Slide
Stop the Presentation - If a presentation was opened from a slide in another presentation this button returns the viewer to that slide.
Return to Menu
Updating links to images is normally done automatically by PowerTrainer. If, however, the image files are not in the "Images" subfolder of the training unit the links must be manually updated with this tool. Return to Menu
The features below this feature are activated when the data (.xml) file is created. The .xml file has the same name as the .ppt and/or .pps file. The date file can also be deleted. For safety's sake, after using the delete tool here you must close PowerPoint and also delete the file using Windows Explorer.
Return to Menu
This tool opens automatically when an .xml file is create or by clicking on the "Options" tool on the dropdown menu. If a " _project.xml" file does not exist in the folder it is created. If it does exist it can be edited with this tool. The information entered on this form appears on the comprehensive exam when the "Print All Questions..." feature is selected.
Audio languages are also activated and deactivated on this form. Deactivating a language does not delete the audio files for that language. It just removes in from the language selection list. The language can be reactivated by selecting it on this form.
Return to Menu
This feature opens a special Word window with most features of Word supported. At run time the content of this window is viewed in a mini-browser pop-up window. (See below) The Mini-browser pop-up Window
Learner viewers are not distracted by full browser features and can only view links the developer provides. These links can be to a document in the training unit subfolder, on a local area network or on the internet. Return to Menu
True - false or multiple choice questions can be created to pop-up on each slide. The viewer learner can self test by answering the question and receive immediate feedback. A comprehensive exam of all questions are printed using the "Print All Questions..." feature below.
Return to Menu
View/Edit Information Questions...
This tool combines the viewing and editing of the two features above to aid in the coordination of slide content, additional information and questions. The "X" button deletes the question or all additional information on a slide.
Return to Menu
This is a simple tape recorder like tool. Simply select a language for the audio and record. Return to Menu
Open a browser window with all questions with this tool. Then print from the browser or save to an .htm file and email the test to a learner. The learner can then open the .htm file with Word, check their answers with the check boxes and email the test back to the trainer for correction. This integrated training test system works well in training situations where auditors require documentation of training materials and worker comprehension of the material presented.
Return to Menu
If, after the 45 day free trial period you choose to purchase the PowerTrainer developer then just open the "About..." tool and chick "Register". Paste the serial number in the form on the PowerTrainer Website, complete the rest of the form and email, fax or regular mail the information and your payment to PowerTrainer.Net. An unlock code for the computer you registered will be promptly returned to you by whatever means you requested on the form.
Return to Menu
