Rivertown Communications Custom elearning and internet solutions with the Minneapolis city skyline.

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Tools and Capabilities

Usability Design

One of the main ingredients of creating an e-Learning system or web site that works is how easy it is for the user to accomplish the intended purpose. This is called “usability”. When we design for optimum usability, we look at things like:

  • Who are the users, how experienced are they, and what can they learn?
  • What do users want or need to do?
  • What is the general background of the users?
  • What is the context in which the user is working?
  • Can users easily accomplish their intended tasks?
  • Are there provisions for meeting the special needs of users with disabilities? (accessibility)

If an e-Learning system is difficult to use, energy that should be reserved for learning is expended on simply navigating the system.  This is unacceptable.  At Rivertown Communications, designing “user friendly” applications and web sites is a priority.

Accessibility

Rivertown Communications specializes in developing e-Learning, video and websites that are accessible to everyone, including users with visual or hearing disabilities. For many projects developing accessible applications is a requirement under federal and state law. We believe that developing accessible applications is always a good idea and usually improves usability for everyone. Learn more about Accessibility.

Rivertown Communications is active in promoting accessible communications on a state and federal level.

Instructional Design

"Instructional Design" is the practice of maximizing the effectiveness, efficiency and appeal of instruction and other learning experiences. At Rivertown Communications our instructional design process follows an ADDIE Model. This acronym stands for the 5 phases contained in the model:

  • Analyze - analyze learner characteristics, task to be learned, etc.
  • Design - develop learning objectives, choose an instructional approach
  • Develop - create instructional or training materials
  • Implement - deliver or distribute the instructional materials
  • Evaluate - make sure the materials achieved the desired goals

Graphics Design

Our graphics designers are experienced at creating clean, professional computer interface designs that are both attractive and intuitive for the user. We can blend your organization’s branding into your e-Learning or web site interface.

Programming

Whether programming for e-Learning applications or creating interactivity for web sites we always strive to make our code easy to update and maintain so that changes later can be made as easily as possible. Also, we leverage reusable code, templates, and components to aid in fast, yet reliable development.

Test Design

Most learning applications benefit from including a testing component.  At Rivertown we offer three main types of tests:

A Pre-Test

To assess knowledge before a learner begins a training session we often recommend a pre-test  This is useful because it can identify areas the learner is already proficient in, indicating a lowered need for training, or areas they are lacking in, indicating a need for additional emphasis.  Based on the results of a pre-test, the learner can be sent down the most effective learning path for them.

Check for Comprehension

We include short test items within the learning modules.  These test items will check for understanding on material recently presented, are judged and feedback is given, but the results are not recorded.  The learner can use information gained in these checks to gauge how well they are grasping the content.  Low scores here indicate a need to review content.  We often use a game or other theme to involve the learner in the check for comprehensions.

Post-Test or Mastery Test

This is the test given at the conclusion of the material presented, is scored and the results are recorded.  The score of this test may indicate good comprehension or a need to repeat a portion of the training. 

Documentation

Since we view our clients as partners in the development process, we typically share our code with our customers should they want to make their own updates later on. To help our customers do this we comment our code and provide hard copy documentation.

Flash

Flash has become one of the most widely used development tools for delivering Internet based applications. Flash has the advantage of allowing us to create relatively small files, which perform well over the Internet, as well as develop rich media applications, which can be delivered via CD-ROM.

Cold Fusion

ColdFusion is a powerful platform for creating dynamic database-driven websites, allowing us to separate content from code, which allows our customers to easily update content. ColdFusion can also provide the tools we need to develop learning management systems, content management systems, reports, and dynamic charts and graphs.

JavaScript, PHP, PERL, ASP and ASP.NET are just a few of the scripting languages we use to extend functionality of websites. Scripting languages allow us to create interactivity or complex displaying of media, which normally wouldn’t be possible with static websites.