System of and method for facilitating on-device training and creating, updating, and disseminating micro-learning simulations

Abstract

A system of and method for facilitating on-device training and creating, updating, and disseminating micro-leaning simulations is provided. The system utilizes a trio of core tools, which are Simulator tool, a Creation tool, and a management and monitoring tool. These tools are utilized to develop tracks, modules, and lessons for users to complete and demonstrate proficiency. The system provides for recreation of native mobile applications from screenshots and utilizing these recreations for the development of sandboxed lessons without need to access the native application during training. The system also includes utilizing mobile device features and peripherals to create a realistic training simulation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for creating a training lesson for using an application on a mobile device, the system comprising:
 a screen uploader loaded onto a system device, the screen uploader being configured to capture and organize a plurality of screenshots from the system device during a screen capture session;   a replica tool in data communication with the screen uploader, the replica tool being configured to utilize the plurality of screenshots to create screen replicas having dynamic elements; and   an annotation mechanism that is configured to create annotations for annotating the plurality of screenshots, thereby facilitating creation of the dynamic elements of the screen replicas, each dynamic element being configured to be interacted with by a trainee during the training lesson,   wherein the application includes application features, each application feature being configured to be interacted with by the trainee during use of the application, and   wherein each dynamic element is configured to mimic, from the trainee's perspective, functionality of a corresponding application feature.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a replica generator that is configured to analyze the screenshots to identify each application feature associated with each screenshot, thereby facilitating creation of the dynamic elements. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the replica generator utilizes the annotations to identify at least some of the application features. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the screen uploader comprises a starting mechanism, a capture mechanism, and an ending mechanism,
 wherein the starting mechanism is configured to generate a first time stamp upon activation of the starting mechanism, the first time stamp being associated with a start time for the screen capture session,   wherein the ending mechanism is configured to generate a second time stamp upon activation of the ending mechanism, the second time stamp being associated with an end time for screen capture session,   wherein the screen uploader is configured to facilitate use of the application on the system device during the screen capture session, and   wherein the screen uploader is configured to identify screenshots taken during the screen capture session based on the time each screenshot was captured.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the annotation mechanism includes an interface mechanism, the interface mechanism being configured to receive input from a user of the system device, thereby facilitating creation of the annotations. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the interface mechanism includes a location identification mechanism, the location identification mechanism being configured to identify a location identified by the user, thereby identifying a location on the screenshot for placing the annotation. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the location identification mechanism is in data communication with a touch screen of the system device and wherein the location identification mechanism is configured to identify when the user touches a location of the screenshot for longer than a preset period of time. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the replica tool is configured to identify at least some characteristics of the application features, the replica tool being further configured to create proposed characteristics for associated dynamic elements. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the replica tool is configured to compare proposed characteristics of dynamic elements with finalized characteristics of dynamic elements, and wherein the replica tool is configured to analyze such comparison to improve future functionality of the replica tool. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the replica tool is configured to remove information from the screenshot bitmap, the removed information being text and visual representations of application features, wherein the replica tool is further configured to add editable text to the screen replica, the editable text replacing the removed text. 
     
     
         11 . A method of creating a training lesson for use of an application on a mobile device, the method comprising:
 capturing a first image of a first display screen of the application;   creating a first screen replica, the first screen replica comprising at least a portion of the first image of the first display screen; and   configuring the first screen replica to include mock functionality that, from the trainee's perspective during the training lesson, functions similar to actual functionality of the first display screen,   wherein the screen replica includes a first dynamic element and wherein the first dynamic element facilitates the mock functionality.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising annotating the first image, thereby creating a first annotation associated with the first dynamic element, wherein the first dynamic element is one of an executable element and a variable element. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising updating the first annotation, thereby updating the training lesson. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 capturing a plurality of images from a plurality of display screens of the application;   creating a plurality of screen replicas, each screen replica comprising at least part of at least one of the plurality of images; and   annotating at least some of the plurality of screen replicas.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 creating an application layer, the application layer being configured to interact with the device; and   creating an embedded layer embedded within the application layer, the embedded layer comprising a plurality of screen replicas.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 activating a screen uploader application on a system device;   activating a starting mechanism of the screen uploader, thereby initiating a screen capture session;   activating a first application on the system device;   capturing a plurality of images from a plurality of display screens of the first application;   stamping each of a plurality of images with a sequence identifier, wherein the sequence identifier is a time stamp identifying the time each of the plurality of images was captured;   activating an ending mechanism of the screen uploader, thereby ending the screen capture session;   gathering the plurality of images taken during the screen capture session;   organizing the plurality of images based on the time each was taken; and   creating a plurality of screen replicas, each screen replica comprising at least part of at least one of the plurality of images.   
     
     
         17 . A method of facilitating training for a business, the method comprising:
 assigning a training program to a plurality of trainees, each trainee of the plurality of trainees being associated with the business, wherein the training program is one of a functional training program and an initiative training program; and   providing a first training lesson of the training program, the first training lesson being a simulation lesson that is configured to be used on a first mobile device, the first mobile device having a plurality of device features,   wherein the first training lesson provides training for performing a first business activity, and   wherein the first mobile device is configured to be utilized during performance of the first business activity.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the device features of the first mobile device are utilized during performance of the first business activity, and wherein the first training lesson is configured to utilize the device features of the first mobile device in a manner that, from the trainee's perspective, is similar to how the trainee will utilize the device features when the trainee performs the first business activity. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first training session comprises displaying a screen replica, the screen replica having a similar appearance to a screen display associated with performing the first business activity. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the functional training program is determined based on the trainee's job function and wherein the initiative training program is based on a business objective.