RE: Advice sought re. training materials

["Jessica Weissman" <Jessica -dot- Weissman -at- hillcrestlabs -dot- com>]

Start by deciding what they need to know.  Possibly this comes down to
procedures for common tasks, possibly not.  

Create an outline of the goals (learning outcomes), then turn that
outline into a set of teaching topics.  The teaching outline may differ
from the learning goal outline because of the need to build on earlier
knowledge.

If it's useful or appropriate create a set of job aids to help them
accomplish the tasks.  Otherwise create a set of handouts that are
useful in doing the tasks or learning whatever needs to be learned.

Base your class on the job aids or handouts.  "Handouts" need not be
printed, of course.

If you are training on workpiece software (think Word or PowerPoint)
rather than task software (think Turbotax), procedures won't necessarily
be the best way.  In that case, put together some standard workpiece
that incorporates features most people need to master.  Center the
course around having users create that sample workpiece, step by step.

After you deliver the training, revise your job aids and handouts based
on what people had trouble with.

Your time frame is short, and you can't hope to write a comprehensive
user guide in that time.  Concentrating on the most important and the
most difficult tasks or scenarios is the best way to spend your time.  

-  Jessica


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