Re: Developing training materials

["Chris Morton" <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>]

I was on the road for five years doing six all-day,
PowerPoint-driven seminars per month. The audiences were comprised of IT
folks. The PPT handouts had three slides per page, with lined writing space
to the right of each slide. They were duplexed and distributed in three-ring
binders (with internal pockets for the loose stuff). They looked great,
functioned well, and we never had complaint 1 regarding the handouts.

The slides were never too small, in that we created our own template (rather
than rely on Microsoft's version). In creating the PPTs, we also took great
care to never have more than 5 (usually no more than 3) bulleted items per
slide. We also had a "continued" graphic for the lower right corner when a
slide needed to be continued on a second slide.

Not duplexing printouts as much as possible (even for draft manuals) is to
waste paper ( = $$$) and help trash the environment. It might also
inadvertently advertise to your audience that you're not techo-savvy.

Jagdriver

On Fri, May 9, 2008 at 6:07 PM, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:

> I wouldn't do double-sided because that gets messy when writing on both
> sides and referencing is easier without having to flip over pages.  I have
> done handouts with one slide and a lined page beneath the slide to make
> note-taking easier.  The three slide with notes on the right also work,
> but
> the slides are sometimes too small.  A study guide or mini-manual is good.
> Exercises or a little workbook of exercises, especially if they are
> incorporated into the presentation are good.  One-page FAQs, helpful
> hints,
> or "things to remember" are good.
>
> What are some of things that you found most useful from presentations that
> you have attended?  Incorporate those, too.
>
> Once you have a good idea of things to use, then trim down your selection
> of
> materials to the detailed handout (like your manual or study guide), the
> notes handout (your PowerPoint presentation handout or whatever graphical
> thing you have printed), the one-page helpful document, and possibly one
> other thing.  The main thing is to keep is simple, so about 3 take aways
> that are distinctly different but work well together are good.
>
> Lauren
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: techwr-l-bounces+lauren=writeco -dot- net -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lauren <techwr-l-bounces%2Blauren>=
> writeco -dot- net -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > ] On Behalf Of Chris Morton
> > Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 1:39 PM
> > To: Rob Hudson; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > Subject: Re: Developing training materials
> >
>  > I'd knock out a really *good* PowerPoint presentation with handouts
> > featuring three slides per page and a space to the right of
> > each slide for
> > notes. Print them duplex. A take away CD of useful freebies
> > is a nice touch,
> > too... you could even put some live demos on it.
> >
> > > Jagdriver
> >
> >
> > On 5/9/08, Rob Hudson <caveatrob -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > I was recently approached by a client who wishes to give a one-day,
> > > 8-hour seminar to his clients about basic PC and Networking
> > concepts.
> > > He's asked me to develop the course for him based on an outline of
> > > topics that he'd like to cover.
> > >
> > > What kinds of deliverables would such a project include? I've
> > > considered some form of lesson plan, handouts, and
> > "take-away" items,
> > > but haven't ever "designed" a course before. This is for a small
> > > company and will be delivered to about four to ten students per
> > > session.
> > >
> > > Any resources for templates for this sort of thing? Or for
> > pricing out
> > > the effort of developing such a course?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Rob
> > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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> > >
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> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help
> > file formats or
> > printed documentation. Features include support for Windows
> > Vista & 2007
> > Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
> > http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList<http://www.doctohelp.com/TechwrlList>
> >
> > True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> > Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> > documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
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> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
> printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
> Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
> http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList<http://www.doctohelp.com/TechwrlList>
>
> True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
> ---
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com -dot- 
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> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

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