Abstract: An adaptive training system for use with an adaptive testing tool includes a user interface receptive of a field of application selection from a user. A plurality of task items are stored in a data store. The plurality of task items are organized by field of application and ranked by difficulty level. An adaptive item selector selects unfamiliar task items as training items based on the selected field of application and a user ability. These training items range in order of difficulty from items slightly below a user's ability to items sufficiently far above that level to allow for learning effects. The user ability is a function of previous user performance on an adaptive test in the selected field of application. The main purpose of the adaptive item selector is to ensure that training items are neither too easy nor too difficult for a person.

Abstract: A method of generating a simulation of a visual display of a computer session, includes the step of recording a visual display of a computer session by providing a journal record hook in binary format. Each message associated with each input from a computer input device is then recorded. After each message, the screen is checked for screen changes associated with each input from the computer input device and if detected, location coordinates of a screen change location are recorded and a detected screen change is copied as a bitmap. Cursor changes associated with each input from a computer input device are checked, and if detected, a cursor identification is recorded. The recorded visual display is then played back by providing a journal playback hook in binary format. An invisible window is then created to draw on and each recorded message is played back. It is also determined if there is a corresponding recorded cursor change and a corresponding screen change.

Abstract: The training and testing system runs concurrently with the target software application program. The testing and training program sets up a test scenario inside the software application program and asks the user to perform a series of application functions while monitoring the user's responses. The user can select a Show-Me button to which the training and testing program responds by displaying a series of instructional messages and cursor movement and keystroke commands. These cursor movement and keystroke commands are throttled to a speed simulating the speed at which a user would execute them, so that the trainee sees the actual software application program perform the operation as if he or she had performed it.