NASA Commercializing Web Training SystemA FLORIDA/NASA BUSINESS INCUBATION CENTER client is commercializing NASA's Web Interactive Training (WIT) software technology under a nonexclusive copyright license agreement with Kennedy Space Center. Under the agreement, the company will use the Internet with multimedia software that provides quality training to NASA remote users. The Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center in Brevard County serves the location needs and provides assistance to early-stage technology-based businesses and entrepreneurs by offering affordable space, sharing office equipment and services (including offsite technology-based clients), access to NASA technology, technical assistance and business training. For more information, visit http://technology.ksc.nasa.gov/FNBIC The WIT technology uses multiplatform interactive media to deliver training to users more effectively and efficiently. The primary delivery medium is the World Wide Web. A typical WIT course incorporates text, graphics, audio, video, animation and testing. Merrimac Interactive Media Corporation, based in Marlton, New Jersey, is an offsite client that runs a development laboratory in Cocoa, Florida. The company specializes in computer-based learning applications, electronic performance support systems, independent software development and learning network delivery systems. Merrimac's David Metcalf initiated the development of the WIT system while he was working for the Kennedy Space Center engineering support contractor, I-NET, Inc., in Kennedy's Multimedia Laboratory. I-NET assigned the copyright to NASA. Metcalf explained that "Merrimac intends to commercialize the WIT system and continue to advance the capabilities of the system as new techniques and technologies for accelerating learning through technology become available." New applications include using the latest in streaming video and push technologies, synchronous instructional communications aids (videoconferencing and live bulletin boards) and team-based learning using web communications tools.
Several WIT-based training courses were developed for Kennedy Space Center's Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, according to NASA engineer Paul Mogan. The first phase of the project was the conversion of an existing course on Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) and the creation of a new course on Statistical Process Control. NASA's objective is to efficiently and effectively train a large base of NASA workers using state-of-the-art technologies delivered over the Internet through a web browser interface. Kennedy's Multimedia Laboratory has developed four training courses that incorporate interactive simulation modules, a random test generator with a testing database and interactive feedback, and the seamless integration of electronic performance support system components into the online training system Computer-based learning, also known as computer-based or interactive training, is an economical solution to the problem with which organizations are faced. The WIT system (and all interactive training) targets the individual's method of learning by consistently presenting information in ways people most effectively learn—by seeing, hearing and doing. The user hears the narrator highlighting and reinforcing concepts, while the interactive components allow the user to participate in the presentation. The benefits are reduced training costs and associated travel and time-off task costs. Metcalf added that the training is available in the office on a personal computer 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for user convenience and follow-up job performance support after the training is completed. For more information, contact Lewis Parrish at Kennedy Space Center.
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