Developing interactive technical training materials currently consumes a large amount of resources to script, storyboard, and program lessons. Information is repeatedly used in presentations, demonstrations, exercises, tests, and job aids. A prototype system is being developed, named PATHS (Prototype Animated Training Hypermedia System), to demonstrate the possibility of substantially reducing the costs associated with developing and maintaining interactive courseware (ICW). PATHS transforms ICW development from instructional design and programming tasks into a data management task. Text, still graphics, audio, and video data describing a procedure are stored within PATHS according to a formal structure of knowledge. PATHS then uses these data elements to automatically generate (autoauthor) training hypermedia for procedure-oriented applications. Standard formats are used which incorporate proven learning strategies. Therefore, the developer does not need extensive expertise in training design or programming.

A subject matter expert enters the procedural information, including text, still graphics, and video clips. This knowledge base is stored by PATHS in a standard interservice format. PATHS then uses algorithms to automatically generate training hyperdocuments. These hyperdocuments include introduction material, demonstrations, practice exercises, tests, and job aids. Instructional developers can then refine and personalize the hyperdocument using the PATHS hypermedia authoring tool. The resulting instructional material, including digital video, can be distributed on CD-ROM for presentation on low-cost PC-based platforms equipped with Intel's Digital Video Interactive (DVI®) technology.

Trainees access the hyperdocuments using the PATHS browser. The PATHS browser includes icons which are used by trainees to navigate through the hypermedia. In a formal training program they are encouraged to follow the author's recommended "path".