Yes, I mean working together on class projects, etc. Also perhaps making their insights to future participants.

Good morning Dragon,

This may be a little more broad than what you had in mind, but something you may want to consider…

The biggest concern I have is that software is regulary designed using the exact method that frustrates us when people design instruction. Namely, it is created from the eye of the designer as opposed to the user. As a rule, most software developers pay lip service to the concept of usability. They strive for a clean interface, but their response to improving the user experience is to add more features to the latest version. Collectively, we’ve come to believe that more features=better technology.

I would suggest that the larger your audience, the worse this approach becomes... Start from scratch, conduct a needs analysis, create interfaces that really make sense and add value. Create something that addresses needs and resist the tempatation to “improve” an existing solution by adding more features or changing the skin.

For a far more eloquent explanation, I would highly suggest reading The Inmates are Running the Asylum by Alan Cooper. Cooper was an instrumental force in the design of Visual Basic and I think you’ll find that his writing offers some great insights.

Thanks, and good luck!
-Ed