Computer Based Training or CBT is a highly effective e-learning solution medium. A CBT can be integrated with various applications and thus proves to a very effective and appealing medium for training and educating because of its interactive capability that allows children to practice as they learn.



Moreover, CBTs are also becoming a more viable option for corporate firms and individuals alike to impart and receive training.

There are many PC applications that come with tutorials designed in the form of a CBT. With a CBT program, the user can access the information at any location and at any time.

Developing a CBT program

Developing a CBT program is however a highly technical and skilled job. You need to go slowly and must have some basic graphic designing skills to begin.

Interestingly, CBT programs can be created on a small scale too and you don't always need a huge team to make one. And if you also want to create a CBT, follow these tips:

1. Content is primary

The main issue you need to focus on is the quality of content as that is the main ingredient which must be converted into a computer program to make a CBT interesting and appealing.

2. Focus on the audience

Online training and face-to-face learning are two different things and both need different sort of treatments. Hence, for a CBT program, you need to first identify and study the characteristics of the target audience. Only after knowing the target audience, you would have a clear picture of what type of content including text, images, etc., must be included in the training module and what type of language should be used.

3. Right material

Be sure that the text used in the CBT is designed to meet the client's needs. This means the right sub-topics within the subject must be covered. While preparing the draft, try to give answers to questions such as the overall time of the training, what topics are most important, or whether maps or diagrams are required or not.

Also decide whether you would like to incorporate materials such as video, audio, slides, pictures, and screen captures of software programs. In order to provide the best training, you need to have a solid grasp of the material.

4. Prepare a rough draft

After finding the answers of all the queries, make a rough outline of the training in a form of a formal document. Try to make it in a systematic manner so that you know which page should come next. This would help to mitigate any confusions or repetitions later.

5. Create a storyboard

On the basis of your training module, you need to create a storyboard. Make sure that the text and the images are used in the right spots and are relevant. The storyboard should layout the theme with proper focus on the text and graphics.

For instance if you are developing a CBT for kids you would need to use bright colors, images, layout and simple text.

On the other hand, if you are making a CBT as a manual for learning a software program, you would need more elaborate text, with screen shots of the various steps to follow and so on. Depending upon the requirements of the target audience, you would need to build your storyboard.

Remember every screen and frame must explain, enhance, and improve the overall learning process.

6. Choose the software

If you are making the CBT for the first time and don't have much computer knowledge, you can use Microsoft Producer for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003. It can be downloaded for free and it is very easy to use. With the help of Microsoft Producer, you can develop CBT at a very low cost.

7. Development

Start to layout the graphical portion of the CBT. Take the content from the storyboard and start putting the pieces together page by page. Put together all the elements and cross check to ensure that everything is put in the right place.

8. Final output

Test the final version of the course or file. Make sure to test the course in the deployed environment, where the finished product will be seen by the users. Once you are satisfied of the professional quality, you must start thinking about the distribution part.

9. Marketing

To begin with, you would need a plenty of copies of the final output. Save your production in a good quality master CD or DVD and go for CD or DVD duplication or replication from a reliable DVD duplication company. Spend some time on choosing the right company as the quality of the duplicated CDs or DVDs will play a major role in the success of your CBT.

Don't forget to look for quality CD or DVD packaging solutions too, if you don't want to spend time on designing the packaging yourself. Usually, a reliable DVD duplication company offers packaging solutions too.

Once the copies of your CBT are ready, you can distribute the same to book stores which also stock educational material and negotiate with dealers of educational material or even distribute and market it online.

Follow these steps and your CBT will be firmly on the road to success. Always give stress on the quality factor be it choosing the right material, selecting the CD/DVD format and for selecting a reliable CD or DVD duplication company.