The Visualization Training Assistant

As computer capabilities to generate visualization grow and research-based findings on instructionally effective visualizations grow, designers of instruction will find it difficult to keep up with best practices in applying appropriate and effective visualization techniques. Hence, the Visualization Training Assistant (VisTrAs) will be developed by Intelligent Automation Inc. to (a) deliver guidance in creating effective visualizations for training, (b) provide libraries of components with the capability to present effective visualizations, and (c) assist in embedding the objects in instruction using common instructional authorware. VisTrAs will use a case-based reasoning shell to provide guidance. We will populate the knowledge base for the reasoning tool with best practices derived from a literature review and guided by a panel of experts with diverse backgrounds. The interface will be extensively tested for use by instructional designers; we will use those findings to ensure that our product meets users' needs and expectations. We will demonstrate that objects with effective visualization methods can be placed in a library, and then extracted and inserted into instruction by instructional designers using common authorware.