I recently started a new position and once again have responsibility for technical training. Have not done much in the area since the late 80's.

I would welcome any suggestions on sources/resoures for getting up to speed quickly on the latest relating to:

1. manual development;
2. online or pc-based packages;
3. use of flash media
4. software for developing manuals or any aspect of technical training.

Recognize that this list is pretty nebulous, but looking for all suggestions.

Thanks!

Hi,

Your list seems to consist of two separate things:
* Writing user/training manuals
* Developing e-learning

A few questions/comments about the user/training manuals first... Who is the audience for the technical training: end-users, sysadmins/IT, or programmers? Are you teaching how to use a software package? Have the technical writers at your company already written the doc set and online help? If so, use the doc set/help instead of rewriting it (unless it's so bad...). Spend your time developing hands-on activities, not re-creating doc that already exists.

If the existing doc/help is useless, first try working with the tech writers to develop something decent. If you absolutely must write training manuals for instructor-led classroom training, look at LeaderGuide Pro (LeaderGuide Pro), which works with Word, to produce instructor guides and student guides. (However, I would never use Word alone to write any manual.)

As far as e-learning tools go, there's tons of discussion on this board about the merits of various approaches and authoring tools. If you're thinking about creating hands-on simulations, look at Adobe/Macromedia Captivate (Captivate) ($$$), or KnowledgePlanet's Firefly(Firefly Simulator)($$,$$$), among others. Both Adobe and KnowledgePlanet run Webinars about those tools.

And speaking as a victim of too many death-by-PowerPoint "e-learning" technical courses, please, please, please don't waste money on a tool that just dump slides onto Web pages!

The industry is specialty minerals that involves preparing operators to process ore, with processes similar to what one would find in a chemical industry.

I truly appreciate your input. Presume that people have to be doing nifty things now with new media - e.g., IPOD, Palm Pilots, flash media and so forth?

There was a recent thread about using iPods for training, with a link to a tutorial:

iPod thread

Montanaguru,

Since you are dealing with training operators who process ore, the vast majority of your training should be structured on-the-job training. (It should not be informal or unstructured OJT!) Hardly any technical training should be done in a classroom, and most should not be done via e-learning unless it is simulation based. I have consulted with many organizations in technical training and have found that the only thing that produces real results is structured OJT. Structured OJT is also greatly favored by the operators.

The last thing you need is e-learning. Unfortunately the training industry has become obsessed with e-learning almost to the exclusion of everything else. ASTD used to have a technical training conference and publish the Technical Training magazine. However, between 1997 and 1999, ASTD opted to drop both the conference and the magazine. In their place, they started the learning circuits e-zine and the technology conference - both of which are good. The problem however is that ASTD discontinued the technical training focus. I repeatedly hear from technical training people at conferences that there is nothing of value to them anymore. It's a real shame.

I strongly suggest that you do the following. Get a team or teams of operators together for about one hour. Ideally no more than 10 in a team. Have them answer the question:

"What do you need to KNOW and be able to DO to perform your job?"

Have them brainstorm a fairly complete list. They can get a fairly good list within one hour. If time allows have them break down the tasks into manageable chunks - ideally something they can train someone on in about 1/2 hour.

Then take a look at the list and ask yourself, "What is the best way to train them on these tasks? I guarantee you it will be structured OJT. That's also the cheapest by far.

Operators do not need much theory. What they do need are skills to do the job. That should be the sole focus of their training. And the operators themselves can tell you what they need. They are the only ones who do know.