XStream Software Launches Performance Analyzer ™ v2.0

• Alternate Paths (Branching) Capability – Performance Analyzer v2.0 supports alternate paths capability. Developers have the flexibility to create non-linear assessments with adaptive branching. For each task within an assessment, multiple paths/scenarios for completing the task may be defined. Based on the action (i.e., mouse click, button click, key press, or text entry) that the user performs on a given frame within a task file, the user may move forward to the next frame, return back to the previous frame, or jump to another frame somewhere else in the task file. Therefore users can revisit previously completed steps as well as jump ahead to subsequent steps (beyond the next step) or navigate to other screens with context-specific feedback/content. This powerful capability enables developers to create complex branching scenarios in which assessments can “adapt,” presenting certain steps or content screens to participants based on the actions they perform.
  
  
• Support for SCORM v1.1 (in addition to SCORM v1.2) – Performance Analyzer v2.0 includes support for both SCORM v1.1 and SCORM v1.2. A simulation-based assessment may be saved as a SCORM v1.1 or v1.2-compliant course (RPE-based or Flash-based), which may be deployed, managed, and tracked through any Learning Management System (LMS) that supports either SCORM v1.1 or SCORM v1.2.
  
  
• Playback Language Customization – Performance Analyzer v2.0 provides the capability to translate built-in player text and system-related text strings from default English into any desired language. The translated text strings are saved to a language file, which may then be imported into Performance Analyzer and applied to any file. During playback of the file, the selected, translated text strings (which were applied from the language file and stored in the Performance Analyzer file) are displayed as appropriate.
  
  
• Single Sign-on – Performance Analyzer v2.0 supports single sign-on capability. This is a mechanism whereby a single action of user authentication/authorization on a file can permit the user to access other assigned files through hyperlinks without having to repeat the process of authentication on the linked files. Once logged in to the assigned Performance Analyzer file, the user does not have to repeat the login process for any other assigned RapidBuilder files or RapidExam files that are launched from the Performance Analyzer file.
  
  
• Equal Task Weighing – Performance Analyzer v2.0 supports equal task weighing. The developer may specify that each task within the assessment will be given equal weighting when calculating the user's final score (regardless of the number of individual steps performed within each task).
  
  
• Flash Export Enhancements – In Performance Analyzer v2.0, there are several new options that the developer may define when exporting a Performance Analyzer file to Flash (SWF) format. The developer may specify that Flash file playback will take place in the full screen view, that Flash file playback will take place in the center of the browser window, and that Instruction Boxes and/or Text Fields will be exported to Flash as images (for picture-clear display of exported text).
  
  
• Report Enhancements – Performance Analyzer v2.0 provides developers with additional options for customizing the evaluation report that is displayed to users at the end of the simulation-based assessment. Developers may hide or show the expand/collapse controls in the report as well as provide the capability to print task details only or both task and step details.

"Increased flexibility is a hallmark of Performance Analyzer v2.0," says Sunil K. Sethi , XStream's President and CEO . “The adaptive branching capability introduced in this version has taken the technology to new levels of relevancy and realism, and the support for SCORM v1.1 and playback language customization means that assessments may be deployed across an even broader range of learning management systems and end users.”

"Simulation-based assessments are becoming a crucial element of e-learning strategy because they test a user's real-life skills rather than just knowledge or comprehension," adds Mahendra K. Agrawal , XStream's Vice President of Technology . "As the usefulness and necessity of simulation-based assessments is increasingly acknowledged, developers can harness this latest release of Performance Analyzer to develop the most advanced assessments in the shortest time."