From: Nina Adams Subject: ANNOUNCE: VR Decision Tool for Training projects available Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 20:59:35 -0600 Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970205025935.09377436@popmail.mcs.net> Contact: Nina Adams Carol Gunther-Mohr Adams Consulting Group Research Triangle Institute 708-246-0766 919-541-6062 Fax: 708-246-0971 Fax: 919-541-6965 Email: ninaa@adams-consult.com Email: cgm@rti.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ADAMS CONSULTING GROUP, INC. AND RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF THE VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING DECISION TOOL CHICAGO, IL -- February , 1997 -- Adams Consulting Group, Inc., and Research Triangle Institute have announced the availability of a tool that will help organizations evaluate whether Virtual Reality (VR) training programs are appropriate for specific training needs. VR Training Decision Tool gives managers and professionals in training, performance improvement, information technology, human resources, multimedia development, safety, manufacturing and other fields a way of quantifying the decision to use VR. This tool is available free of charge. VR training programs have yielded impressive improvements in learning effectiveness when compared with conventional training. VR applications provide a three-dimensional, computer-based, interactive environment in which user exploration is encouraged. This creates a non-linear, user-directed, learning situation. Users can navigate at will, take actions, and see the impact of their actions, just as they would in the real world. Free copies of VR Training Decision Tool may be obtained from either organization: Electronic form may be downloaded from a website (www.adams-consult.com or www.rti.org/vr/w/decision.html) or requested via email at ninaa@adams-consult.com or cgm@rti.org. Paper copies may be requested from: Nina Adams Carol Gunther-Mohr Adams Consulting Group Research Triangle Institute 3952 Western Springs Ave. P.O. Box 12194 Western Springs, IL 60558 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Fax: (708) 246-0971 Fax: (919) 541-6965 The two developers of VR Training Decision Tool have more experience than any other organization producing PC-based VR training applications. They designed the tool to explore a comprehensive set of topics including learner profile, learning content and objectives, computing resources, and organizational readiness. They collaborated to develop this tool in order to respond to the frequently asked question, "Should I use VR?" Intuitively, we find people grasp the value of VR for learning of all kinds. That's because most people like to see, hear, and do something 'real' at the moment they want to learn." said Carol Gunther-Mohr of Research Triangle Institute. This tool captures our experiences working on VR training projects and guides decision-makers through the thought process to determine how VR can be most beneficial. "We've been developing VR based training programs since 1994. Even before then, people would call and say I want to implement a VR training program. After talking to the individual for a few minutes, it would become obvious that the only reason they wanted to use VR was because it was neat. But VR wasn't the right solution." said Nina Adams, President, Adams Consulting Group. The VR Training Decision Tool is an outgrowth of a CBT (Computer Based Training) Decision Tool published by Adams Consulting Group, Inc., in 1994. Adams Consulting Group has been developing VR programs with Motorola University since 1994. In 1995, Adams Consulting won the VR World Magazine Industry Award presented by Mecklermedia for developing a VR application which allows associates to learn how to start up, run and shut down a manufacturing line. In January 1997, Adams Consulting Group was recognized at the 1997 Motorola University Kick-off Meeting for creative thinking in implementing Virtual Reality Training for Motorolans. Adams Consulting Group develops VR applications which run on standard pentium-based computers, with no additional hardware required. The benefits of VR applications versus traditional multimedia programs are significant, while the cost of development is comparable. Adams Consulting Group is currently developing VR projects with world-class companies including Duracell, Richard Ellis, Landis & Staefa, and Brazil-based Biobras Software. For additional information on Adams Consulting Group, please write 3952 Western Avenue, Western Springs, IL 60558-1042 or call 708-246-0766 or Fax 708-246-0971 or email ninaa@adams-consult.com. Research Triangle Institute applies advanced technologies to improve learning effectiveness. RTI began using VR for training and other applications on PCs and high-end graphics engines in 1993. Cost-effective, custom VR applications have been completed for military clients in the US Army and Navy and corporations including Volvo Truck, Michelin, and IBM. As a nonprofit R&D organization, RTI gives clients innovative, integrated solutions combining advanced technologies like VR and Natural Language Processing as well as new learning methodologies and evaluations techniques. Solutions range from VR multimedia courseware to complete advanced learning facilities. The development team, with over 40 staff, possess a unique combination of skills including software engineering, instructional design, 3-D model building, cognitive psychology, graphics, and audio/video production. For additional information on Research Triangle Institute, contact Carol Gunther-Mohr at RTI, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, or by phone at (919) 541-6062, or Fax (919) 541-6965, or email cgm@rti.org, or visit our website at www.rti.org/vr. Nina Adams (ninaa@adams-consult.com) Adams Consulting Group voice (708) 246-0766 fax (708) 246-0971 [MODERATOR'S NOTE: Commercial postings are offered on this newsgroup as a public service. Their appearance here does not indicate endorsement by the moderators or by the USENET or its administrators.]