SBIR-STTR Award

Vanguard Research Inc. (VRI), proposes to design and develop an interactive-learning device to educate and entertain while providing information on drug types, drug effects on the body, physical appearance of street drugs, and simulated peer-pressure actions combined with positive reactions, for combating drug use and addiction. The computer aided interactive-simulation will include learner options dependent upon age, knowledge, skills, and motivation. Each simulation will combine animation, graphics, decision-making options, response evaluations, feedback, and alternative choices, prompting interaction to positive or negative situations.A database, including a guide to the identification of illegal drugs, signs and symptoms of drug abuse, names and uses of legal drugs with illegal uses, will be available for ready access to the information required to allow the user to respond correctly to the simulated actions. Updates to the database interface will allow the system to keep pace with the availability of mind-altering drugs introduced on the street. A series of "get acquainted" questions will personalize the learning session and direct the user to courseware specifically designed for his/her age group.Key Words: Interactive-learning, drug education, computer-based training, simulation, animation, graphics, database, gaming.

Anticipated Results:
By using the latest technology available for personal computers, VRI will develop an interactive-learning tool that will help young people form a basic awareness of the effects of drugs on people of all ages, the various type of drugs and their physical appearance, the signs and symptoms of drug abuse, and new ways to resist peer-pressure and be proud to be drug free. This interactive-learning experience, structured in a competitive, game-like environment, will serve as a drug prevention program.Because of the competitive and entertaining aspects of this educational resource, participation will be requested rather than required. The program will help the learner to understand the causes of drug use and the Show" and why" people start using drugs. At the same time, it will help the learner build self-esteem and create a positive peer-pressure not to use drugs. Conditions defined in a preliminary on-line questionnaire (e.g. name, grade, or expressed learning objective (selected from list supplied on-screen)) will implement conditional learning paths. The final product will be an age-dependent series of computer interactive training programs, under the umbrella of one expert system, that is educationally sound, highly individualized, entertaining, easily updated, and very affordable. With minimal modification, this system will easily be adapted to other disciplines or, in particular, other areas of drug education.Topic: 6: Development of a Computer Based Guide to Drugs for use in Home, School, and Library Drug Education Programs

Vanguard Research Inc. (VRI), will design and develop an interactive-learning system to educate and entertain while providing information on drug types, drug effects on the body, physical appearance of street drugs, and simulated peer-pressure actions combined with positive reactions, for combatting drug use and addiction. The system will combine hypermedia techniques, animation, graphics, feedback, and decision-making options prompting interaction to positive or negative situations. A user-friendly drug database will provide school-age youths with an encyclopedia of current, accurate, and readily accessible drug information. The interactive-learning system will be structured in an entertaining and game-like environment to ensure that school-age youths are presented and exposed to drug information and threats in an informal setting.

Keywords:
Interactive-learning, drug education, simulation, graphics, database, gaming.Summary: The final interactive system will include: (1) a stand-alone computer database; (2) a computer game; and (3) a Computer-Aided Retrieval System (CARS) linking the game and database. The resulting interactive system will provide the school-age youth with the capability to either directly access the database or play a computer game connected to the database. By structurinq the interactive-learning system in an entertaining and competitive game-like environment, school-age youths will request rather than be required to participate in-drug education. The final product will be of commercial software guality to include documentation. It will have widespread commercial application in schools, homes, and communities.Topic 6: Development Of A Computer Based Guide To Drugs For Use In Houe, School, And Library Drug Education Programs