In this issue:
- An E-chat with Bob Mosher on the Changing Profile of Learners
- Fast Forward: Future Technology Learners
- Web Reader Primer
- A reader asks...
- Upcoming Events
1. An E-chat with Bob Mosher on the Changing Profile of Learners
We recently had an e-chat with Bob Mosher, keynote at Computer Training World - Europe (http://www.influent.com/ctwe2000) on his views of the changing profile of learners. His dual roles as Assistant Executive Director of ITTA and Senior Partner with Conduit TechKNOWledgy provide Bob with cutting edge perspectives on technology training. Below are his thoughts on the ways technology trainers must evolve to meet learner needs.
TRENDS: How is the profile of the learner changing?
MOSHER: The learner has actually evolved into a very demanding student: seeking a highly tailored and customized learning environment in which exists a high relationship between what is done on the job and the application technology.
TRENDS: What do you see as the greatest challenge to trainersof these new learners?
MOSHER: The greatest challenge is meeting their needs. It is very difficult to design a highly tailored learning environment for 10 to 16 students in the same class. The traditional model of starting lesson 1 and proceeding through lesson 8 won't work anymore. Instructors have to be more flexible, allowing more independent work in the classroom. Although this may appear chaotic, trainers are going to have to get used to a different kind of control: shared control with the learners in class and out.
TRENDS: What is the hottest new technology trainers everywhere need to know this year?
MOSHER: Clearly it's mastering and managing synchronous instruction via the Internet. As classes move online, most students will want to migrate to live instructor online. Some will be satisfied with asynchronous, self-paced instruction, but the majority will want to be mentored. This poses both the technological challenge, and more importantly, a design and delivery challenge. In the past, when any new training methodology emerged, we simply plugged and played our traditional classroom design. Typically this hasn't worked simply because the new methodology is not the classroom. The Internet falls into the same category. It's going to take a whole new instructional design and delivery approach to master this new delivery medium. Quite frankly, some instructors will adjust and some won't.
TRENDS: What is happening in Europe that is or isn't happening in the US for technology training?
MOSHER: I feel the two environments are actually very similar. Where this question becomes complex is when you deal with cultural and technical issues. The most common mistake trainers in the US make is assuming that training is training, even on a global scale. Cultural issues need to be considered. The technology issues are also a factor. The most common issue I hear involves access to the Internet. Phone lines and pricing structures vary greatly across Europe and can be a huge factor in moving online.
Don't miss Bob in person during his keynote address at Computer Training World - Europe, February 1-2, 2000 London, England.
For complete details, visit: http://www.influent.com/ctwe2000.
See a related article on Trends in Technology Training in Europe, Issue 10.
2. Fast Forward: Future Technology Learners
CIO Online Magazine, http://www.cio.com/CIO/122099_kid3.html, in its December 27, 1999 article titled "Kids' Predictions for the Future" surveyed school-age kids to get their take on the future. Technology trainers, everywhere, heed the sage advice of these young learners (and say good-bye to teaching "how to use computers" courses):
"When people build schools, I think they will build huge computers, and when the teacher says something to one, it will automatically type what the teacher said. The computers would be the teachers."
-Emma S., 10
"In school I see kids using expensive laser pens and erasers. When you use the laser pens and erasers you don't have to even touch the paper with them. The advantage is that you can save what you've written."
-Jordan T., 10
"...school will just be a virtual teacher at home. You can even program the difficulty. (No homework, of course.)"
-Charlie G., 10
3. Web Reader Primer
How many of you scan, use the find feature, or quickly scroll through web pages? If you do, don't you think your intended audience of learners do it too? Any user of the Internet and Web-based information is quickly inundated by voluminous text and links to even more text.
A study by John Morkes and Jakob Nielsen, http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/, revealed that 79 percent of their test users always scanned while only 16 percent read word-by-word. When preparing text on your Web pages, remember these realities:
- People read 25 percent slower from a computer screen.
- Reading from computers is fatiguing to the eyes.
- Interactivity made possible by the technology stimulates readers to point, click, and jump elsewhere.
- Readers do what Nielsen calls "information foraging:" they constantly size up one page as to whether it is better than the next.
- Life is hectic, readers don't have time for an epic.
You can hear Jakob Nielsen in person during his keynote presentation at the Studio 2000 conference. Visit http://www.influent.com/studio2000 for complete details.
4. A reader asks...
A question to the Community:
What are your thoughts on the similarities and differences of technology training around the world compared to US practices?
Do you have a question to pose to the Influential Trends community, or would like to respond to a reader's question appearing here?
Send an email to mailto:rsmith@influent.com. Remember to use the Influential Trends Archives as a one-stop resource for your technology training questions at http://www.influent.com.
5. Upcoming Events
Here are some upcoming events that are of benefit to the industry:
Computer Training World - Europe
February 1-2, 2000 London, England
This is the only European event for Training Managers, Training Directors, and those who are responsible for the strategy and implementation of technology training in their organizations. This highly focused event will have in-depth sessions, provocative keynote presentations, and excellent networking opportunities. For more information, visit: http://www.influent.com/ctwe2000.
Studio 2000
February 23-25
San Francisco, California, USA
Calling online information designers! If you intuitively understand what you are designing yet searching for comprehensive knowledge on design techiques, Influent's *new* Studio 2000 Conference is for you. This uniquely formatted learning studio has in-depth sessions, renowned keynote speakers like Jakob Nielsen, and dynamic networking opportunities. Visit http://www.influent.com/studio2000 for more information.
Computer Trainer's Spring Break
March 15-17,2000
Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA
Break out of the doldrums of winter and break into a new perspective on your career as a technology trainer at the only event focused on your issues and needs. This limited attendance symposium is designed for both the novice and the experienced trainer. Learn the basics of great training and discover how to be the trainer for the new millennium. Visit http://www.influent.com/ctsb for more information.
WBT Producer Conference & Expo
WBT Executive Summit
ACE User Conference
April 26-28, 2000
San Diego, California, USA
WBT Producer is targeted towards those who develop, design, or create online learning and Web-based training (WBT). The WBT Executive Summit is for Training Directors, managers, and other executives who are responsible for the strategic implementation of online learning/Web-based training. ACE is the Allen Communication user conference. You can find out more about these events by visiting http://www.influent.com/wbt2000.
