C3 SoftWorks Blog

2012-03-12T09:38:00.002-05:00

C3 SoftWorks Releases PRONTO! Minneapolis, Minnesota—January 15, 2012—C3 SoftWorks, a leading software provider in the training and educational markets, is pleased to announce the release of PRONTO! Read Full Press Release PRONTO! is an energizing platform to engage your audience and get your training off to a great start! Featuring four games that will energize any training environment with multi-team, question-based adventures that involve pirate battles, castle sieges, grand prix-style car races, and rockets to the moon, PRONTO! is a template-based software program that is as elegant in design as it is easy-to-use. PRONTO! includes challenges that incorporate fun, interactive game play and action sequences, giving you a powerful tool to present your training content. Learn More

Audience Response Keypads and Virtual Keypads in the same session

2011-09-02T13:43:00.007-05:00

I recently had the opportunity at two separate conferences to use audience response pads and virtual pads at the same time for a live audience. I gave the audience a link to the virtual keypad for my session while other attendees used an issued wireless keypad. For the audience members who had a remote device, (i.e. - a smartphone, iPhone, iPad, tablet or a laptop computer), they simply visited the link and was able to participate via a virtual keypad. Since I didn't have enough audience response keypads for the entire classroom, I found that the use of remote PING Virtual Keypads enabled everyone to participate. It also kept them from texting during my sessions! For more information on using virtual keypads in your next session, visit the PING webpage here: http://c3softworks.com/products/online/ping

Training with the Minnesota State Patrol

2011-05-23T13:50:00.027-05:00

I created a Minnesota State Patrol Traffic Safety game for the for the Annual Minnesota Safety Council Meeting just recently. The game used preview and summary slides for most of the questions which allowed the presenter to add additional teaching points that either preceded or followed a question. The game was even branded for the state patrol.

In the session we would break the attendees into teams, and each person would get their own audience response pads to enter their responses. The Trooper was a pro, even though this was his first time hosting a game. After about 3 questions, he got in his groove, and went through 25 questions in a 50 minute session. With the preview and summary slides, he was able to slow down the game, and discuss and answer questions from the attendees. After the session, the Trooper expressed how well it went compared to the event he did last year. The audience loved it and most importantly from the evaluations, they got what they came for. In his last conference, he used audience response pads, (the same keypads we used at the Safety conference), but instead of a game, he used PowerPoint with a plug-in. Essentially it was just a polling device that let him see the results after each question. In that session he had 70 questions, and because he only had an hour, he literally went from question to question with very little discussion. The large amount of questions is typical of how people use questions in both PowerPoint and in games but is a common issue I see with trainers. (To his defense, the organizers instructed him him to create 70 questions.) They simply see the question and the correct answer as the teaching point, and to not really expand on it. In the game session, the Trooper clearly saw how less was better. By slowing down the game and using preview and summary slides throughout the game he was able to deliver more content more effectively in the session. Overall he was very pleased with the results and the ease it took use the game with audience response pads. I've posted the game online if you'd like to take a look!

PLAY the Minnesota State Patrol Traffic Safety Game

Home Run Specials from C3 SoftWorks

2011-05-16T13:38:00.000-05:00

Monthly Specials from C3 SoftWorks!

I. CLASSROOM TRAINING BUNDLE -

    BRAVO! Game Builder Software License
     "Click" Software for polling & quizzes
     30-Wireless keypads & receiver
     Softpack Carrying Case
     Technical Support & Upgrade Included
     BONUS FREE Q&A License

II. BUY ONE GET ONE BRAVO! License FREE!

    BRAVO! Software License
     FREE Technical Support
     Updates included

III. BUY ONE GET ONE Q&A License FREE!
    Q&A Software License
     FREE Technical Support
     Updates included

"I produced the first draft game this morning on IS-700 NIMS review. (BRAVO!) is a great product - easy to use and just begs for you to make another training." David (Woodford County Fire & EMS)

"We just love this software.... It is so easy to update and everyone I have spoken with at C3 has been so helpful. The new reporting features in the LMS look great."
Shawn (RS&K)

ADD WOW TO YOUR NEXT WEBINAR WITH BRAVO! GAME BUILDER SUITE

2011-01-12T12:29:00.003-06:00

This 25-minute webinar will explore how you can create an engaging, interactive experience for ALL remote participants and get real-time feedback. The BRAVO! Game Builder Suite will bring your web training to a whole new level. Experience first hand how easy it is to customize a training game and actually play it in a “virtual” classroom. See how your trainees will be completely engaged, as they “click” on a virtual keypad to “play” an online training game. 10:00am (CST) Tuesday, January 25 - REGISTER NOW! 10:00am (CST) Thursday, January 27 - REGISTER NOW!

Play the Halloween Trivia Contest and Win!

2010-10-25T11:45:00.000-05:00

Play the October Halloween game (created with BRAVO! Classroom Builder) and enter to win a FREE classroom license. Play NOW - Contest ends October 31, 2010.

What is BRAVO? Click here for more info.

Test your keypads PRIOR to your game and look like a Pro!

2010-09-20T09:37:00.018-05:00

Have you ever wanted to test your keypads prior to your game? Well...you can!

At the beginning of your game, while you have the gameboard screen showing, press any keypad to test your system. If you hear the keypad bell sound, then you know that your system is ready to go!

No matter which game you're playing, you simply test them prior to the start of each game and you can assure yourself that the keypad system is "talking" with BRAVO! NOTE: Testing your keypads prior to starting the game gives you an advantage to solving any keypad issues. For one, it proves to your attendees that their keypads actually work. Secondly, you might need to add an additional pad for someone who just joined the group or you might need to replace a keypad battery. In any case, it's better to test them out before rather than later, giving you ample time to resolve any issues. Click Here for more information on our wireless keypad systems.

Using Games at Public Events

2010-08-17T09:14:00.000-05:00

Using Games at Public Events
By John Dillon, C3 SoftWorks

Have you ever wanted to present at a trade show or special event and wondered how you could “wow” your attendees and inform them about your product or service at the same time? Try playing a game! Games grab attendees’ interest and sustain it longer than a standard sales pitch or presentation. Using games at your next trade show or public event is a great way to create excitement while delivering your message to your audience.

The key is to keep the game short. A game with 5 to 7 questions is the just the right number to use. The seminar George Miller paper “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information” is a true classic. In it, Miller observed that the results of a number of experiments in shortterm memory had something in common: most people could only retain 5 to 9 items. An abbreviated format, like My Billionaire Game© from C3 Visuals, enables you to easily create quick-running games with 5 to 7 questions. The background music is compelling and the three-dimensional graphics are visually appealing.

Here are some tips to help you build the right games for your next public event:

1. Increase the difficulty of the questions as the stakes go higher. Save those tough questions to emphasize your key points at the end of your presentation or pitch.

2. Create multiple games. You may want to create a variety of games based on the message you want to deliver and the type of audience you’re trying to reach. At a recent National Safety conference while the lunch crowd was pouring in, we created a game testing knowledge of food facts. People were entertained while they waited in line and the game brought attendees back to our booth after they fi nished lunch. We also fi nd attendees sometimes hang around our booth and like to watch multiple games.

3. Use the Summary Point feature. Unless you are doing this purely for entertainment
purposes, use the Summary Point feature in the game builder so you can review after each question. It’s a great reinforcement method. Because you’re at a public event, you may want to keep the review points short and to-the-point.

4. Reward your players and build your leads. A small give-away prize is a great incentive for attendees. Make certain it displays your website and contact information, so attendees can contact you later. You can even ask players for their business card or off er to scan their badge before you award them their prize. Make sure you follow- up with them within a week after the trade show. By asking people to test their knowledge, attendees will begin to gather around your booth and watch, further helping you to get your message out. Having several people around allows you to draw others into the game as “life lines”. Nothing draws a crowd better than a crowd. So the next time you want to generate some excitement at your trade booth or during a presentation say, “Hurry! Hurry! Step Right Up And Play A Game!” using a game from C3 SoftWorks.

About the author. John Dillon works for C3 SoftWorks and speaks frequently on using games to teach in the classroom. John also is a Paramedic and has taught a variety of EMS related topics for over 20 years. You can visit http://www.c3softworks.com/ to find out more.

Monthly Recap - August 2010

2010-08-11T10:09:00.003-05:00

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Upcoming Fall 2010 Conferences for C3 SoftWorks
We have some really amazing conferences coming up this Fall, and I thought I’d take a few minutes out to let you know what they are …

9/27-10/1 EMS Expo – Dallas, TX
10/4-10/6 National Safety Council – San Diego, CA
10/10-10/12 MN SHRM Conference – Duluth, MN
11/9-11/10 ASTD – TCC – St. Paul, MN

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Training Game of the month

We've hand picked one of our best training game tutorials this month. Use multi-media within a game to educate your audience in the classroom and online!

CLICK HERE TO PLAY

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"LIKE" C3 on Facebook & WIN!
FREE BRAVO! License sweepstakes for C3 SoftWorks Facebook Fans. To automatically enter the C3 SoftWorks Summer BRAVO! Mania Sweepstakes, you need to like us first. Just click the like button at the top of our Facebook page to enter. (No purchase necessary!)

"LIKE" C3 on Facebook & WIN!

2010-08-11T10:07:00.000-05:00

FREE BRAVO! License sweepstakes for C3 SoftWorks Facebook Fans. To automatically enter the C3 SoftWorks Summer BRAVO! Mania Sweepstakes, you need to like us first. Just click the like button at the top of our Facebook page to enter. (No purchase necessary!)

Click here to LIKE us on Facebook

Training Game of the Month

2010-08-11T09:57:00.002-05:00

We've hand picked one of our best training game tutorials this month. Use multi-media within a game to educate your audience in the classroom and online!

CLICK HERE TO PLAY

Upcoming Conferences this Fall 2010

2010-08-11T09:21:00.000-05:00

We have some really amazing conferences coming up this Fall, and I thought I’d take a few minutes out to let you know what they are …

SEPTEMBER:
9/27-10/1 EMS Expo – Dallas, TX

OCTOBER:
10/4-10/6 National Safety Council – San Diego, CA
10/10-10/12 MN SHRM Conference – Duluth, MN

NOVEMBER:
11/9-11/10 ASTD – TCC – St. Paul, MN

Repurpose your slides from a PowerPoint presentation in your game

2010-08-04T14:02:00.000-05:00

Repurpose your slides from a PowerPoint presentation in your game

When taking a traditional lecture and replacing it with a game. Consider re-purposing your slides from your lecture in your game. For example, I will frequently pull in a slide from a PowerPoint slide that contains text and or images to help me add additional teaching points to a game.

There are a few ways to do this. You can output a single slide from PowerPoint as an image (jpeg, bmp, gif, png,) and in the BRAVO! Game Builder Suite, import the slide into your questions. Or you can simply copy and paste your questions into BRAVO!

Using a game instead of a PowerPoint presentation, I have found, helps to establish my game a teaching tool, but interestingly, it does not seem to effect the “fun” factor that the game brings. Delivering my content through a game, helps me to not only capture their attention, but allows me to go beyond the questions and answers to deliver information.

Do you know about our FREE BRAVO! Extras?

2010-07-14T10:55:00.000-05:00

Freebies is what we're all about here at C3 SoftWorks and we just want everyone to know about them! Our FREE Extras are here to help you further customize your training experience, add a personal touch to your backgrounds, gameboards, introduction screens and even customize your avatars.

We’ve made it easy for you to simply add free templates to your existing games or edit them to suit your branding needs.

Select your favorites to start customizing your training experience today! http://c3softworks.com/resources/extras.html

"LIKE" C3 SoftWorks and WIN!

2010-07-13T15:19:00.010-05:00

"LIKE" us on Facebook this Summer and you could win a FREE BRAVO! Classroom license. Hurry, offer ends Sept. 1, 2010. Click below and LIKE C3: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Minneapolis-MN/C3-SoftWorks-Training-Games-for-your-Classroom-and-Web/80148484304?v=app_4949752878

Attend a FREE C3 Training University Class

2010-06-30T15:35:00.002-05:00

Attend a FREE C3 Training University Class

Whether you are new to BRAVO! and just putting together your games, or an experienced game developer looking for a few critical insights to take your games to the next level, C3 Training University could be for you.

You'll receive:

* New BRAVO! User Tips & Techniques
* Creative strategies on effective game building
* Frequently asked questions review

Sign up today!

10 Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Games

2010-06-15T11:17:00.001-05:00

People agree games are a great way to review a topic, but what about using games to teach your core educational principals? Absolutely! Here are some tips to accomplish this.

1. Define your objective. Make a list of the key teaching points you want to cover.
2. Create questions based on your key points.
3. Be creative. Questions do not specifically have to cover a topic, they can be used simply as a stepping stone to what you want to teach.
4. Remember, your key objective is to teach a topic, you are using “fun” to help you achieve your primary objective which is educational.
5. Use a game that allows the use of summary points that will allow you to review content after each question.
6. Slow down the game. Your objective is different than a TV game show. Theirs is to entertain, yours is to educate. On a TV game show in a 30 minute period they may play 3-4 rounds. In the classroom it may take 45 minutes of longer for one game.
7. Read each question prior to answering.
8. Your concern should be more on the content delivery than who wins or looses. The game simply is a different medium to deliver your material.
9. Games do not always have to be long. A short game of 4-6 questions, can be a great way to review the key points of a talk or use as a warm up for a presentation.
10. Poll the audience. Give students an opportunity to vote on how the game went. You might be surprised at what you hear!

Can you think of other ways to teach your core principles? Comments link
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C3 Tid Bits

We now have a quarterly newsletter called the C3 Insider!
Sign-up Today: www.c3softworks.com/news

We have been nominated as one of the top hot products at the JEMS 2010 Conference & Expo. www.c3softworks.com/news/in-the-news.html

Do you have an event or a story you'd like to share? We'd like to hear about it!www.c3softworks.com/forms/feedback

JEMS 2010 HOT Product Recommendation

2010-06-08T10:31:00.001-05:00

At the 28th Annual EMS Today Conference & Expo, C3 SoftWorks (BRAVO! Classroom Builder) was recognized as one of the hottest new products on display at the show. There were only 40 honorable mentions and BRAVO! was ranked 16 with a close second follow-up by our Virtual Response System called PING.

View the JEMS HOT PRODUCT REVIEW - PDF (2,345KB)

TOP 10 Reasons to use games in your training

2010-06-01T09:37:00.002-05:00

People agree games are a great way to review a topic, but what about using games to deliver your core educational principles? Absolutely! Here are some tips to accomplish this.

1. Define your objective. Make a list of the key teaching points you want to cover.
2. Create questions based on your key points.
3. Be creative. Questions do not specifically have to cover a topic, they can be used simply as a stepping stone to what you want to teach or review.
4. Remember, your key objective is to teach a topic, you are using “fun” to help you achieve your primary objective which is educational.
5. Use a game that allows the use of summary points that will allow you to review content after each question.
6. Slow down the game. Your objective is different than a TV game show. Theirs is to entertain, yours is to educate.
7. Allow up to 45 minutes for one game.
8. Read each question prior to answering.
9. Your main concern should be more on the content delivery than who wins or looses. The game simply is a different medium to deliver your material.
10. Games do not always have to be long. A short game of 4-6 questions, can be a great way to review the key points of a talk or use as a warm up for a presentation.

Introducing The C3 Insider - News you can Use

2010-05-28T14:28:00.001-05:00

The very first C3 Insider issue has been released: http://c3softworks.com/e-newsletters/052010

At C3 SoftWorks, we know that our customers are our greatest asset and that's why we believe in keeping you informed with the latest training techniques, tools and free resources that are available today.

Sign-up today!

The C3 Insider is coming soon!

2010-05-26T10:25:00.003-05:00

C3 SoftWorks is excited to announce that we will be releasing our first quarterly e-Newsletter this Friday May 28, 2010. We hope to give our readers the best possible resources for today's hot tips, trends, articles and free activities and for trainers and teachers for classroom and online training.

Sign-up today for your C3 Insider!

We welcome your feedback and input so if you would like to see a topic covered, please let us know! Go to this link and start making the most out of your C3 Insider!

New Blog Posts:
Summer Safety Camp with BRAVO!

Seen on Twitter:
@FSAE10 Conference is using C3 SoftWorks for their Annual Conference game show!

Summer Safety Camp with BRAVO! Find out how summer camps are using games to teach kids about safety!

2010-05-26T09:18:00.002-05:00

Last week, at the Woodbury (MN) Public Safety, “Safety Camp,” I had the opportunity to see the BRAVO! Software in use with Audience Response Pads (ARS). Each year, about 120 kids attend the 2 day camp, that features Police Officers, Paramedics and Firefighters along with support staff, serving as counselors during the event. The goal is to have some fun, but also to educate them on a variety of safety topics. Read More...

ASTD 2010 International Conference & EXPO

2010-05-17T10:24:00.003-05:00

We’re in Chicago this week for the ASTD International Conference and Expo!

If you’re in the area, we hope you’ll come visit us at the C3 SoftWorks booth #1448.

You'll see Paul and Dave perform their BRAVO! Training Game event, live and unplugged!

Also...you'll see the latest development projects from C3 so ask for a sneak peek!

C3 SoftWorks Weekly Recap

2010-05-14T14:36:00.003-05:00

76th Minnesota Safety & Health Conference: We had a successful week at the Minnesota National Safety Conference and John Dillon spoke on Friday 5/14. Breathing Life Into Your Presentations: Using Games to Teach - He walked the audience through examining the steps that helps trainers transform a game from a fun review to a serious content delivery method.

Check out this months special blast:

For more info, click here: http://c3softworks.com/pricing/monthly-specials.html

C3 SoftWorks Weekly Recap

2010-04-30T11:08:00.001-05:00

After several months of development, we are proud to release our long awaited new website. Not only does this new website a new look and feel, it will allow us to add more detailed information about our future products & services. Along with a number of new additions, this new site is featuring a new submenu option dedicated to each product allowing us to add more features, options and highlights as we move forward. So...stay tuned, there's more to come!
If you have any comments about this new website, please let us know!

Here are a few other of our most popular stories of the week.BRAVO! to the Praetorian Group - An example of how an online magazine used BRAVO! Web as an educational tool on their website to deliver their content in a fun and engaging way.
When bad questions can be good - An illustration of how bad questions can act as a springboard to conversation within your group.
Last day for the April Special! - Today (April 30th, 2010) is the last day to get the April Egg-ceptional offer. Save 50% on either bundle. Download a FREE Demo, Request a Price Quote or buy today: 888-333-1969.