Frequently Asked Questions about 5-Step Simulations™

Remember to Contact Us with questions not answered here!

Q: Are these computer simulations?

A: No. This is simulation content that you can turn into computer-based simulations, if you desire. The license gives permission and the 5-Step Simulation™ Model document (included) provides the "how-to" steps. The simulations are ready to print and use immediately for classroom training and education.

Q: How do I use this material to create training simulations for WBT (web-based training)?

A: You can convert the 5-Step Simulation™ content into WBT interactions with your preferred authoring tools. Typically, each simulation might become one lesson or challenge in your WBT course, but preferences and needs vary. Convert the open-ended debrief questions from the facilitator instructions into multiple choice, matching, or best answer interaction types and associate an interaction with each step of the simulation content. To do this, you will need to also supply your own topic-specific content--give learners enough information to allow them to figure out the best answer. You will have to use the 5-Step Sim content as the base for your correct answer choices and distracters. Expand on the basic 5-Step content, if it makes sense. For example, you might easily have five decisions for the learner to make, instead of just three. Or, you may keep the three meaningful decisions, and present those decisions in smaller pieces with two or three scripted interactions per decision. Structure the feedback for your interactions to explain the best answer, as you normally would for WBT. Strive to present the simulation decisions in ways that are as real and relevant as possible to your intended audience. Consider converting the Standards from the 5-Step Sim materials into part of your scoring system for the WBT simulation. Use the simulation content as a resource, and not a prescription. See the 5-Step Simulation™ Model file for suggestions and tips.

Q: Who owns the copyright to my customized simulations?

A: It is a joint copyright between you and LearningSim. Your license specifically gives you the right to make derivative works, for which ownership and copyright is shared. LearningSim waives the right to fees and royalties, though! We retain part ownership of derivative works only to enforce our right to protect our intellectual property under the terms of your Individual User or Certified User license agreement.

Q: I'm an independent consultant with my own firm, and I do training for lots of clients. Can I charge clients for these simulations?

A: Yes, if you have a Certified User license. The Certified User license was written specifically for individuals and firms that sell training products and services.

Q: Okay, so what if I design the simulation and then do a train-the-trainer (TTT) workshop for my client?

A: That works fine. You can train your clients to deliver your customized 5-Step Simulation™ simulations with the Certified User license. You will need to make sure that your client obtains enough 5-Step Simulation™ user licenses to cover its own trainers. (Your client cannot re-sell or make your derivative work available to others, though, even with additional licenses. That would not protect your ownership in your own material!)

Q: I work in a consulting firm with others, and I want to design simulations that I can use and that I can share with my colleagues so they can deliver them to clients, too. What license do I need for this?

A: You need a Certified User license. Check out the multi-user discounts for the Certified User licensing!

Q: How do I open the zip file I got by email?

A: Read your email carefully. It contains your license agreement. At the bottom of the email is a link to the license agreement confirmation page, which has the code that will allow you to open the files in your zipped folder. By using this code, you are accepting the terms of the license agreement! Save the zipped folder to your computer, then use your Windows My Computer application to explore your zipped folder. This (or the WinZip program, if you use it) will allow you to extract the files from the zipped file and open and save them separately.

Q: Can I take off the LearningSim copyright notice and put my own firm's copyright on it?

A: Partly. If you have edited or customized the simulation material, then you can put a joint copyright notice on your material. For example, Copyright © 2009 by ABC Corporation and LearningSim. All Rights Reserved. Remember that you may not share or re-distribute 5-Step Simulation™ materials outside your own organization without a Certified User license. Check the details of the license agreement for the license type you purchased.

Q: How do I remove the password protection or encryption on my copy of the files?

A: You can use the "Encryption" feature of your MS-Word-compatible word processing application to remove the password protection after opening the file for the first time. We recommend that you go to the menu where password is applied (in MS Word 2007, this is the upper left corner Program Menu-Prepare Document-Encrypt), blank out the password in the space provided, and do a "Save As" with a different file name. This keeps the original file intact in your zip archive or CD-ROM as a backup, while allowing you to save the files to your computer as more convenient working copies.

Procedure (for MS-Word 2007):

1. Open the document.

2. Enter the password.

3. View the document.

4. Click the Office button in the upper left.

5. Select the Prepare menu and Encrypt Document.

6. Erase the password by deleting the characters in the dialog window, and click OK.

7. Use the "Save As" function to save the document to your hard drive or other storage media.