Analysis of Site Visit
Peter Farkas
3203 Lawton Road STE 251
Orlamdo Fl 32803
407-897-5575
pfarkas@carleycorp.com

Multimedia design is a highly creative industry where design companies compete for military, government, corporate and academic training contracts. Carley Corporation, an Orlando based multimedia company is now celebrating their 10th Anniversary providing turnkey training solutions to improve human performance. Utilizing principles of adult learning theory and learning technology they produce interactive distributed learning solutions. This requires a delicate balance of skilled team players as well as insightful management. Here, instructional designers, graphic artists, programmers and organizational psychologists work closely together. Carley Corporation is the culmination of President Sharon Wolford's successful talent for project estimating, and organizing such teams.

Teamwork plays an important part of the finished training solution. The ability to work towards a common goal is an integral part of the company's success. It has been said that managing technical professional is like herding cats. With the personable management of Peter Farkas, a graduate of the UCF Instructional Design program Carley Corporation has survived in this delicate high-tech market. Carley employs 20-25 instructional designers, 2-5 graphic artists, 2 programmers, and 5 organizational psychologists. Five representative staff members, including Peter gave an overview of their contribution to training projects. Dennis Lembree, WebMaster; Julie Clow, Behavioral Psychologist, Ph.D.; Rich Forman, USAID Senior Instructional Designer and Barb Michalek, Instructional Designer, each appeared well versed with all aspects of the distributed learning process.

These employees were familiar with many details of their assigned clients. Explaining that instructional designers are sent to evaluate a company's training needs on location before beginning a project allowed us to analyze the role of the designer. One designer was recently sent to a Miami based importing company to investigate various shipping containers. The associate gathered research pertaining to day to day procedures, material construction and possible ways a smuggler might misuse the containers. Traditional project development models were discussed, such as the ADDIE and ESEs (Educational Simulation Exercise). Projects are processed through a series of interactive stages. Development and research, 360o feedback, classroom instruction, ESEs, a sample of effective feedback, practice, facilitator-led discussions and any additional learning events required are the typical stages of development. This is a continuous collaboration process.

Technology plays an additionally important role in the design process. Rich Forman describes how he briefs clients with technology limitations and capabilities during the Input Development Stage. Although he is not web master, he must understand reasonable aspects of web based training. Many interactive languages such as Java and html are not inter-browser compatible. He must explain those limits to the client and provide any alternative solutions. Depending on the clients budget and time allocation, the project may include animations, video, voice, interactivity and be distributed across the Internet, Intranet or CD-ROM.

Carley had an intimate business setting. The communication and interpersonal dynamics seemed well grounded. Due to the instability of business contracts in this year's economy I would rather work for a larger company, although Carley may enjoy continued success due to residual contracts and an excellent reputation. Technology changes quickly as does the contract environment. Carley Corporation's most important asset may be their ability to hire a congenial team that communicates well.