Is training really the best solution? Often, no. Here’s a flowchart that will help you find what will really work, whether it’s a job aid, a workflow improvement, training, or something else. Read more.
Author: Cathy Moore
How to handle the handoff conversation
Do your clients expect you to create training on demand? By changing how you talk to them, you can steer them away from an information dump and help them solve the real problem. Learn more.
7 things to check before you design training
“Training will help solve this problem.” Before you say this, make sure more powerful changes have been made first. Here are 7 factors to consider. Learn more.
“Show, don’t tell” — How do you do it?
Good fiction writers “show, don’t tell” so their scenes seem real. What does that technique actually look like, and how can we apply it to scenario-based training? Learn more.
How to quickly find the cause of a performance problem
Your client thinks a course will solve their problem, but you’re not so sure. Help the client see the real cause by asking not only “why?” but also “what for?” Learn more.
3 classic tips for writing training scenarios
How to write a strong mini-scenario, why you want to use “showing” feedback, and how to make your characters sound like real people: Three classic scenario tips from my blog. Learn more.
5 new scenario-based training examples to inspire you
Check out these examples of branching scenarios, and examine the design decisions behind them. Read more.
Save your clients from themselves
“Our job is to give the client what they want.” Nope. Our job is to save the client from themselves. We need to learn who they are and what challenges they’re facing, and then help them do the analysis that they probably skipped. Learn more.
Burn your training request form
“I’ll create whatever you want, even if it will never work!” That’s what the typical training request form promises clients. Set the right expectations by burning that form and replacing it with these ideas. Learn more.
Learning objectives: Our frenemy
Does that learning objective really want what’s best for you? Conventional objectives aren’t always our friends. These three questions will help you set boundaries with our frenemy. Learn more.
“It’s new, so everyone needs training on it.” Nope.
“This thing is new, so of course everyone needs to be trained on it.” Your client is heading toward an information dump. Steer them to a better solution with these tips. Learn more.
How to make mandatory training relevant
How can we make mandatory training actually useful? With some disobedience, questions, and a sneaky workaround to “everyone must be exposed to all the information.” Learn more.
Two examples of interactive job aids
A good job aid can reduce or eliminate the need for training. Here are two examples of interactive job aids created in Twine, a free tool. Learn more.
3 branching scenario examples to give you ideas
Here are some sample scenarios showing different ways to provide background information, plus a unique way to show the consequence of a decision. Learn more.
2 types of elearning scenarios: branching and mini
What type of scenario do you need? Will a one-scene mini-scenario be enough, or do you need a branching scenario? Learn more.
Mini-scenarios: How to help people recover from mistakes
Mini-scenarios are small but mighty. You can even use them to help people practice recognizing and recovering from mistakes. Learn more.