Q: I just learned about this very cool animation tool, QuartzCode, that can make your online content more engaging...but it is MAC only and I am a PC user. Is it something similar to Quartz Composer in Windows?

A: QuartzCode is awesome! vvvv is the closest to it on the PC. There are many other animation/visualization/simulation/Web Rapid Prototyping tools that you can borrow from the music and advertisement industries such as Magic, Spout, resolume,  etc. The Udemy course is available to teach you how to create mobile and web interactive prototypes and designs with interaction and animation with Quartz Composer. Sounds like a good investment and fun. Check this forum for more.

Q: I am looking for software to add simulations to my online course. The course has been developed as an outcome of the grant proposal and there is some funding left. Is it something on a market with reasonable budget?

A: I want to share what I learned at the ICELW conference about simulations. There is a SkillSims tool: http://www.etu.ie/

It takes ETU 6 days to create a complex branching simulation with images and audio (10 min. simulation) vs 45 days (Chapman Alliance). It is cloud-based service.

Here is a brief description of ETU's process:

So how our process works just to give you an idea is we do the following

1. Initial Web Conference Call (1hr) - (Attendees: Key Decision Makers)

If you would like to proceed, we can pick an initial project to focus on at this point

2. Deep Dive (1:30hrs - 2hrs) - Key Project Stake Holder, SME's or Instructional Designers 

Alternatively, we could pick a project at this point.

Where we have found more successful collaboration is if we pick an project after the initial 1hr web conference call.