User training: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:37, 23 February 2024

System Fundamentals^[1]

Especially for complex systems, the relationship between training and the success of a system is clear. Types of user training include self-instruction, formal classes, remote/online training. The quality of the delivery of user training can affect the rate of implementation of the new system.

Real-world advice[edit]

Sometimes people don't know what they don't know. Face to face classes are probably the highest quality. Obstinate users who do not want to learn are impossible to teach.

We can evaluate different types of training by asking ourselves:

how much money does it cost?
how much time does it take?
how effective is the training?

Evaluating user training[edit]

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
self-instruction	inexpensive lower time investment very flexible start using the software very quickly	You might not learn everything the product has to offer Users may focus on the absolute minimum You don't have an expert to help you learn the system You learn to use the program the incorrectly
formal classes	provides in-depth knowledge and skills you are learning the everything in the right order you can grasp the concepts you can ask questions highly trained (well-trained) it saves time in the long run formal classes often have marketable certificates	expensive takes a long time, often a full week if you get a bad teacher it might not be effective
remote/online training	the training is bespoke, highly individualized provides in-depth knowledge and skills you are learning the everything in the right order you can grasp the concepts you can ask questions highly trained (well-trained) it saves time in the long run formal classes often have marketable certificates the cost might be lower, as you are not paying for a hotel or flights, just the training	if your internet dies you are going to have a bad day expensive time consuming

Further methods of training:

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
Instructor-Led Training (ILT)	Direct interaction, real-time feedback.	Costly, time-consuming, scheduling challenges.
eLearning or Online Training	Self-paced, accessibility, multimedia integration.	Limited personal interaction, requires internet access.
Hands-On Workshops	Practical experience, real-world application.	Resource-intensive, may disrupt regular workflow.
On-the-Job Training (OJT)	Learning while performing tasks, immediate relevance.	Informal, may lack structured content.
Simulation and Role-Playing	Mimics real-world scenarios, risk-free practice.	Resource-intensive to develop, may lack real-world feel.
Quick Reference Guides	Convenient, quick access to specific information.	May not cover comprehensive topics, lack interactivity.
Video Tutorials	Visual demonstrations, flexibility in learning pace.	Lack of real-time interaction, may not suit all learning styles.
Peer Training	Knowledge sharing, internal expertise utilization.	Quality may vary, potential for misinformation.
Documentation and Manuals	Comprehensive reference, suitable for self-paced learning.	May be perceived as dry, not everyone reads manuals.
Webinars	Expert-led sessions, real-time interaction.	Scheduling challenges, limited audience participation.
Gamification	Engaging and enjoyable, promotes competition.	May distract from learning objectives if not well-designed.
Blended Learning	Holistic learning experience, catering to varied needs.	Coordination challenges, potential redundancy.
Mobile Learning (M-Learning)	Accessible on the go, convenient for remote users.	Device compatibility issues, potential distractions.
Self-Paced Learning	Flexibility in learning pace, accommodates varied schedules.	Limited interaction, potential for procrastination.
Podcasts and Audio Training	Suitable for auditory learners, convenient for multitasking.	Lack of visual elements, may not suit all learning preferences.

Standards[edit]

Evaluate different methods of delivering user training.

References[edit]

↑ http://www.flaticon.com/

[1] ttp://www.flaticon.com/

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[file:system_fund.png|right|frame|System Fundamentals<ref>http://www.flaticon.com/</ref>]]
-User documentation describes how to use your software. User documentation should be written for non-technical users. The list below is used with gratitude from the Dartford computer science department<ref>http://ib.compscihub.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/1.1.8.pdf</ref>.
+Especially for complex systems, '''the relationship between training and the success of a system is clear'''. Types of user training include self-instruction, formal classes, remote/online training. The quality of the delivery of user training can affect the rate of implementation of the new system.
-What does user documentation usually include?
+== Real-world advice ==
-* Minimum hardware and software requirements
+Sometimes people don't know what they don't know. Face to face classes are probably the highest quality. Obstinate users who do '''not want to learn''' are impossible to teach.
-* Installation guide
-* How to start the system
-* How to use different features of the system
-* Screenshots explaining main features of the system
-* Example inputs and outputs
-* Explanations of error messages and troubleshooting guides
-* Information to contact the developer of the system if an undocumented question arises
-The quality of user documentation can affect the rate of implementation of the new system. Examples should include methods such as: help files, online support and printed manuals.
+We can evaluate different types of training by asking ourselves:
-== Real-world practical advice ==
+* how much money does it cost?
+* how much time does it take?
+* how effective is the training?
-I once heard a rumor about Steve Jobs. According to this rumor, he said "if you need to write a manual for your software, you have done something wrong". I think the point of this rumor is to design your software to be as clear as easy as possible to use. However, good user documentation can make or break the success of your product. The design, presentation, and evaluation of your user documentation is really important part of developing software. Sadly, it is also an area much-neglected, as software developers might think it is boring.
-== Do you understand this material? ==
-A small business has a computer kiosk inside the store which allows customers to sign up for a email newsletter. If a customer signs up for a newsletter inside the store, they will get a 10% discount on their first purchase at the store. The owner hopes this 10% discount will be an incentive for customers to sign up for the email newsletter.  The business will then regularly  email the customers special offers and savings. The business owner expects to benefit from this system by having increased sales. The customers expect to benefit from this system by having access to special offers, to save money, and to see what is new and trendy at their store.
+== Evaluating user training ==
-Question 1: Evaluate alternative installation processes.
+{| style="width: 95%;" class="wikitable"
+|-
+| '''Method''' || '''Advantages''' || '''Disadvantages'''
+|-
+| '''self-instruction'''  ||
-Question 2: Write a plan for implementing this system. Explain your rationale.
+* inexpensive
+* lower time investment
+* very flexible
+* start using the software very quickly
-== Do you have an advanced understanding of this material? ==
+||
-A school of 900 students has a secure web-based application which manages attendance data. The school administrators carefully track attendance for the students so it can identify when students have been absent for a customizable threshold. For example, the school might set a threshold of 5 absences within 30 days, which then automatically notifies the student, parent, and teacher there is a problem with attendance. The threshold might be 3 times within 10 days, or something like that. The system keeps track of attendance and tardies. The system has customizable attendance codes. For example, "absence for school trip", "excused absence", "medical absence" are all allowed absence codes.
+* You might not learn everything the product has to offer
+* Users may focus on the '''absolute minimum'''
+* You don't have an expert to help you learn the system
+* You learn to use the program the incorrectly
-School administrators expect to benefit by having data about attendance so they can support students and parents to be in school. School administrators also expect to benefit by giving parents and students information about attendance (so parents can support their children to be in school). Finally, school administrators expect to benefit by using attendance data to apply for government funding (as they can prove how many students were in class on a specific day).
-Parents expect to benefit by knowing when their children are in school or miss school. This way parents can support their children to be in school. Being in school is a '''shared value''' between the school and the parent.
-Students expect to benefit by understanding how many days of school of they have missed. The school expects students to have a strong "ownership of learning" and manage their attendance.
+|-
+| '''formal classes'''  ||
-Question 1: Evaluate alternative installation processes.
+* provides in-depth knowledge and skills
+* you are learning the everything in the right order
+* you can grasp the concepts
+* you can ask questions
+* highly trained (well-trained) it saves time in the long run
+* formal classes often have marketable certificates
+ ||
+* expensive
+* takes a long time, often a full week
+* if you get a bad teacher it might not be effective
-Question 2: Write a plan for implementing this system. Explain your rationale.
+|-
+| '''remote/online training'''  ||
+* the training is bespoke, highly individualized
+* provides in-depth knowledge and skills
+* you are learning the everything in the right order
+* you can grasp the concepts
+* you can ask questions
+* highly trained (well-trained) it saves time in the long run
+* formal classes often have marketable certificates
+* the cost might be lower, as you are not paying for a hotel or flights, just the training
+ ||
+* if your internet dies you are going to have a bad day
+* expensive
+* time consuming
+|-
+|}
+Further methods of training:
+{| class="wikitable"
+|-
+! Method
+! Advantages
+! Disadvantages
+|-
+| Instructor-Led Training (ILT)
+| Direct interaction, real-time feedback.
+| Costly, time-consuming, scheduling challenges.
+|-
+| eLearning or Online Training
+| Self-paced, accessibility, multimedia integration.
+| Limited personal interaction, requires internet access.
+|-
+| Hands-On Workshops
+| Practical experience, real-world application.
+| Resource-intensive, may disrupt regular workflow.
+|-
+| On-the-Job Training (OJT)
+| Learning while performing tasks, immediate relevance.
+| Informal, may lack structured content.
+|-
+| Simulation and Role-Playing
+| Mimics real-world scenarios, risk-free practice.
+| Resource-intensive to develop, may lack real-world feel.
+|-
+| Quick Reference Guides
+| Convenient, quick access to specific information.
+| May not cover comprehensive topics, lack interactivity.
+|-
+| Video Tutorials
+| Visual demonstrations, flexibility in learning pace.
+| Lack of real-time interaction, may not suit all learning styles.
+|-
+| Peer Training
+| Knowledge sharing, internal expertise utilization.
+| Quality may vary, potential for misinformation.
+|-
+| Documentation and Manuals
+| Comprehensive reference, suitable for self-paced learning.
+| May be perceived as dry, not everyone reads manuals.
+|-
+| Webinars
+| Expert-led sessions, real-time interaction.
+| Scheduling challenges, limited audience participation.
+|-
+| Gamification
+| Engaging and enjoyable, promotes competition.
+| May distract from learning objectives if not well-designed.
+|-
+| Blended Learning
+| Holistic learning experience, catering to varied needs.
+| Coordination challenges, potential redundancy.
+|-
+| Mobile Learning (M-Learning)
+| Accessible on the go, convenient for remote users.
+| Device compatibility issues, potential distractions.
+|-
+| Self-Paced Learning
+| Flexibility in learning pace, accommodates varied schedules.
+| Limited interaction, potential for procrastination.
+|-
+| Podcasts and Audio Training
+| Suitable for auditory learners, convenient for multitasking.
+| Lack of visual elements, may not suit all learning preferences.
+|}
 == Standards ==