If you’re getting ready to
release your application to the market, it is
imperative that your application allows the end-user
to learn the features in a quick and easy way.
When considering training, it is also important to
understand that not all users learn the same way.
Some prefer structured training classes, some prefer
feature movies, some prefer printed User Guides,
others prefer on-line training. This
newsletter discusses the implementation of eLearning
methods and offers case studies for different
approaches.
Training Delivery Alternatives
There is nothing more frustrating for a
user than getting a new application or an update to
an existing one, and not knowing what it’s capable
of or how to use it. You can eliminate that
frustration and ensure users get the most out of
your application by providing some mechanism that
helps them learn the application and use it most
effectively to do their job. It’s critical that
users have the resources to climb a short, steep
learning curve to rapidly start making use of an
application’s features. But what delivery mechanism
is the best for your intended audience? Here’s a
chart showing some of the more popular delivery methods:
|
Delivery Method |
Advantages |
Drawbacks |
|
Paper based reference documents |
1.
Materials can be packaged/shipped with
application.
2. Individuals can learn specific tasks on
their own. |
1. Passive
learning tool, sometimes not used.
2. Time consuming and expensive to update
and distribute |
|
Classroom training |
1. Allows sharing information
with peers during training.
2. All learners experiencing the same
material. |
1. Expensive if travel is required.
2. Set pace for all learners. |
|
Online CD/DVD based training |
1. Self-paced.
2. Consistent delivery.
3. Accommodates varying learning styles. |
1. Expensive to distribute updates.
2. Difficult to incorporate LMS.
3. May not include mechanism for interacting
with other learners. |
|
Online Web-based training |
1. Self-paced or conferenced with other
learners.
2. Easy to make timely updates to content
3. Consistent delivery.
4. Accommodates varying learning styles. |
1. Requires access to the Internet.
|
Case Studies
Below
are 2 real-world case
studies with different
approaches to training.
The training method you
choose will depend on
the preferences
and technical expertise
of your users.
1. Junior
Achievement (JA)
- JA Worldwide
is a partnership between
the business community,
educators and volunteers
— all working together
to inspire young people
to dream big and reach
their potential. JA’s
hands-on, experiential
programs teach the key
concepts of work
readiness,
entrepreneurship and
financial literacy to
young people all over
the world. JA
enlisted
Creative Training Concepts to
provide an on-line
training curriculum that
allows their volunteers
to learn the course
materials and deploy
those volunteers into
classrooms where they
could teach the young
people. With
almost 400,000 JA
volunteers, they needed
a training method that
could be easily
distributed and could
track progress through
the training modules.
Creative Training Concepts
provided JA with an
online training program
that has received
accolades in all major
cities the USA.
Case Study:
http://www.pragmaticsw.com/casestudies/TrainingJA.pdf
2. Software
Application Training
- With more than 70,000
users, the makers of
Software Planner had
a number of different
training styles to
please. After
surveying its users on
their training
preferences, they
implemented several
training options for
their clients.
The training options
included
narrated feature movies
that illustrate the
features of the
software,
searchable user guides,
printable user guides,
and
on-line training classes.
Case Study:
http://www.pragmaticsw.com/casestudies/TrainingSP.pdf
|
