Attachment_0008_-_Amended_OUSD(C)_Course_Development_Standards.pdf

HQ0034-14-R-0104

Amendment 00001

Attachment 0008

OUSD(C) Course Development Standards

7.1. NASBA Guidelines. All courses shall follow the design guidelines set forth by NASBA. The standards are available at http://nasba-cpeprograms2012.advancedpublishing.com/Vizion5/viewer.aspx?id=1&pageId=1.

7.2. SCORM Compliant. All courses shall be SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) compliant and able to run (i.e., launch, track, bookmark, report) in any of the industry-leading LMS providers. Information on SCORM is found at: www.adlnet.org/scorm/.

7.3. Launchable from FM myLearn. All courses shall be launchable and able to run (i.e., launch, track, bookmark, report) from FM myLearn; FM myLearn is an ASP.net platform.

7.4. Section 508 Compliant - All courses shall be 508 compliant or provide an accessible version of the course. Specific guidelines regarding 508 are available at: www.section508.gov.

7.5. FWMD Design and Usability Guidelines. The following design guidelines shall be used to enhance the usability of the course.

7.5.1. Formatting

7.5.1.1. Format for delivery on a targeted lowest resolution monitor.

7.5.1.2. Break up content into manageable chunks.

7.5.1.3. Make individuals pages and other nodes of information consistent in length.

7.5.1.4. Locate critical content and links in the safe zone (top/left).

7.5.1.5. Attempt to limit page length to no more than two clicks of the scroll bar.

7.5.1.6. Avoid full-sized pop-up pages.

7.5.1.7. If frames are needed, use as few frames as possible.

7.5.1.8. Do not require horizontal scrolling.

7.5.1.9. Avoid required plug-ins to view critical course content.

7.5.2. Writing Style

7.5.2.1. Integrate writing style with site design.

7.5.2.2. Choose a clear, brief, relatively informal writing style.

7.5.2.3. Attempt to fit a complete unit (thought) of text on a single page rather than splitting it arbitrarily across multiple pages.

7.5.2.4. Format text so that it is both scannable and easy to comprehend.

7.5.2.5. Be consistent in your writing style.

7.5.3. Color

7.5.3.1. Use dark fonts on a light background with adequate contrast.

7.5.3.2. Use color, and/or visual effects consistently to distinguish types of instructional content

(information presentation, activities, tasks, practice).

7.5.3.3. Use color consistently to denote course sections, modules, etc.

7.5.3.4. Use colored tables when possible to create visual effects.

7.5.3.5. Use no more than three primary background colors per screen.

7.5.3.6. Keep the visual design uncluttered.

7.5.4. Images

7.5.4.1. Properly anti-alias all images to avoid jagged edges and halo effects.

http://www.adlnet.org/scorm/ http://www.section508.gov/

7.5.4.2. Use the smallest image and fewest colors possible to achieve a desired effect, keeping in mind Section 508 Compliance guidelines.

7.5.4.3. Where possible, use colored tables or font background colors rather than an actual graphic to achieve a graphical effect.

7.5.4.4. Use “just enough” images to promote learning, again keeping Section 508 Compliance guidelines in mind.

7.5.5. Text Fonts

7.5.5.1. Use no more than two fonts per screen.

7.5.5.2. Use sans-serif fonts for dense text (Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, etc.).

7.5.6. User Input

7.5.6.1. Use visual cues consistently to indicate links and active screen objects.

7.5.6.2. Design text entry fields to allow for ease of information entry, modifications, or deletion.

7.5.6.3. Be forgiving…use different feedback/hints for successive unanticipated or incorrect responses.

7.5.7. Navigation

7.5.7.1. Clearly indicate the primary path through a course.

7.5.7.2. Provide key navigational links on all pages.

7.5.7.3. Visually indicate learner’s current location relative to the course as a whole.

7.5.7.4. Provide access to course content, tools, and resources consistently.

7.5.7.5. Include course help to assist confused learners.

7.5.7.6. Include a site map that allows learners to view the overall course.

7.6. Interactivity - All courses shall include opportunities for the learner to actively respond to the information presented at least 50% of the time. This will include practice, check for understanding, seeking additional information, or discussing lesson content with an instructor or peers in the case of a synchronous course, etc.

7.7. Proficiency reviews/assessments – the Vendor shall include proficiency review/assessment instruments to evaluate an individual’s understanding of the scripted content using close ended questions. The assessments shall include a minimum of five questions and a maximum of 15 questions. The contractor shall supply the correct response to each question and the reference point to validate the question and answer.

7.8. Evaluation - End of Course Evaluation. Each course must include an end of course evaluation to measure the following outcomes:

7.8.1. Reaction – This is a measurement of the participants opinions regarding the instruction to include its processes, outcomes, and overall level of satisfaction.

7.8.2. Learning – The extent to which learning took place during the instruction and the achievement of learning objectives.

7.8.3. Application – The extent to which the participant can apply the information learned to the on-the-job performance.

7.9. The contractor shall develop courses using a standard authoring language (e.g., HTML, Flash, Java) and non-proprietary software so that all curricula can be easily converted to a web-based presentation. The contractor shall use a standard courseware development methodology that includes analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation activities.

7.10. Prior to delivery, the contractor shall conduct testing to ensure that each course can effectively run ((i.e., launch, track, bookmark, report) and is fully functional and meets all design requirements, and to confirm that navigation is clear to the users. The contractor shall also validate that course materials are effectively aligned with the course objectives (enabling and terminal) and that proficiency reviews are correctly aligned with the instructional material and course objectives.

7.11. Course Script (Narrative). Each course must provide the ability for the student to generate a Course

Script prior to taking the course and when the course is completed. The Course Script is a pdf of the course slides and accompanying narrative and is intended to provide the student with a reference document that includes the course material.

7.12. Human Voice Over. Each course must include a human voice over of the Course Script, which is required by paragraph 7.11.