I selected this book since it's a goal oriented book. No theories, though as the preface mentiones it's based on sound educational theory. I am a technical writer and this book surely has several bits of information and advice that even I can use.The author makes his intentions clear at the begining with this: "Good software training is not about learning how to use software. It's about learning how to get work done." He follows this up by eliminating some common misconceptions about training.
From then on, the book goes about helping one prepare and deliver the course. The real work begins from Chapter 2, with identifying who needs to be trained and the type of information applicable to a particular kind of audience, demonstrated by examples. While helping us develop the in-class exercises, the author takes a moment to brief us on the common conventions and writing styles that'd help in a training session exercise and while developing lectures.
Since a good part of training also revolves around a live demo of the application, the book also helps us build material to complement our demo. Through examples we are taught to write discussion points that are mapped with the instructor activity plan for the demo. Finally the author shows us how to package the course along with the instructions and slides before doing a dry test run.
The best thing about the book is its "a bit-of-advice" attitude. The regular check-points and action activities keep the reader involved. Even while reading you feel as if you are actually developing a course. Surely this book will help any programmer to prepare for a training or demo exercise.
Product Description
Develop effective software training classes quickly and easily
- A complete guide to creating software training courses and materials
- Concise and practical step-by-step approach
- Check-lists ensure that you are fully prepared
- Based on proven educational techniques
In DetailIf you need to write a successful software training course and are unsure of how to start, then this book gets right to the point with clear, concise directions for developing an end-user software course. This step-by-step job aid walks you through the process of developing a successful, instructor-led software class.
There are many good books on training theory. This book takes a more practical, condensed approach for when you don't have time to learn training theory. It is based on fifteen years of technical writing and training experience. In under 100 pages, the book guides you through the process of developing an end-user software course using a method that is tested, proven, and based upon sound instructional theory.
What you will learn from this book?
- A systematic process for creating training courses and materials for software users
- Understanding your audience and ensuring that what you teach them is relevant and useful
- How to use effective in-class exercises as part of the learning mix
- Choosing what to teach and what to leave out
- How to tailor your approach to different user needs, and different types of software
- Preparing written guides for students and instructors
Approach
This book is concise and pithy, focusing on action rather than theory. While many books explore the subject of adult learning, User Training for Busy Programmers shows the reader how to applya proven method in a systematic way enabling busy programmers to produce excellent results without adding too much to their workload.
William's approach is to start in the middle and work your way outward. He based this approach on an article he wrote about how to develop user documentation. "I wrote this when I realized that my method for creating user documentation and training under tight deadlines was nothing like what I learned in school. I really expected heavy criticism from other writers and trainers when I published this article, but apparently my heresy was well-received. It's one of the most-linked-to and highest-rated articles on my website. By the time I saw the need for a book that enables non-trainers to develop software training courses, I had thoroughly developed the middle-out approach."
Who this book is written for?
Do you need to write a successful software training course? Are you unsure of how to start? Would you like a step-by-step project plan to guide you in the development of your software class? This book gets right to the point with clear, concise directions for developing an end-user software course.
From the Publisher
Do you need to write a successful software training course? Are you unsure of how to start? Would you like a step-by-step project plan to guide you in the development of your software class? This book gets right to the point with clear, concise directions for developing an end-user software course.
If you need to design and write a software training course, and you're not sure where to begin, this book is for you. This step-by-step job aid walks you through the process of developing a successful, instructor-led software class.
There are many good books on training theory. This book takes a more practical, condensed approach for when you don't have time to learn training theory. It is based on fifteen years of technical writing and training experience. In just 120 pages, the book guides you through the process of developing an end-user software course using a method that is tested, proven, and based upon sound instructional theory.
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