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I'm in agreement with your approach. Learners need something as a reference and a place to make their notes. As a software trainer with many years of experience, I am not a huge fan of video, although it's all the rage now. I've done it, but it's very time-consuming to create and maintain and if it is to be successful, it also has to be done well. A GOOD video takes skill and creativity and a lot of time, and a BAD video is just a waste of time for everyone. A 15-minute video is the very maximum duration I'd recommend, and definitely no longer! A better way may be to do quick 2-3 minute videos on a particular skill. This sounds like fairly complex training, and I would also agree that an expert needs to be available to answer questions.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+lesli -dot- ritchie=mediware -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lesli -dot- ritchie=mediware -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Stuckey, Ginger
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 10:52 AM
To: TechWR-L (techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com)
Subject: Software Training: Video only -v- Blended
Hi all,
I'm back with another question. My company is switching some engineering software so they can get better metrics and make 3D and 2D models more intelligent. It is a major philosophy shift. Key team members from each engineering discipline are going through different types of training. Out of that, we need to train the rest of the employees.
The person who is supposed to oversee training thinks video only is the way to go. You can find all kinds of documentation to support that but not much specific to software training (so far).
My position, as an experienced writer, is that you need a blended approach. Video is fine but have some written documentation to go along with it so that users have something to refer to later if they don't want to find or watch a video. Documentation can be in any format so don't get hung up on that. I also think videos should be no longer than 5 to 7 minutes not 15 or longer. Users also need someone available to ask questions and that should be part of the mix.
Based on your experience in the real world, what works for software training.
Ginger Stuckey
Technical Publications - Design
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