Jackie Van Nice

E-Learning Goodness by Jackie Van Nice

Technical Training

It’s a Solution! It’s a Fest! It’s SolutionFest!

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Select Image to See Sample

Select Image to See Sample

I’m excited to share one of my projects at the E-Learning Guild’s Learning Solutions Conference as part of SolutionFest next month. Here’s a summary of the problem, my solution, and the result – plus you can see the project I’ll be sharing.

The Problem

My client needed to train new employees on their sales mobility software and hardware. The existing online training was abysmal, featuring:

  • No audio and the whiz-bang pacing of a plow horse.
  • No images beyond software screen captures and bullet points.
  • No context or instruction to indicate why, when, or how the software should be used.
  • No user control, no flexibility for different levels of knowledge, no opportunities for learners to practice, and no opportunities to test.

The Solution

I strove to create upside-down world as compared to that training.

  • Context was my focus. If I could show learners when and how the software and hardware should be used, I’d be half way there. We show how the handheld integrates into the sales rep’s 24-hour day, so you see him (and his handheld) going home at night, sleeping, waking up, driving around, meeting his boss in the field, finding sales leads, calling on prospects, making sales, and more. In the introductory lessons, where a real-life sales rep would be taught by his or her manager, you see the sales rep being taught by his or her manager.
  • Design carried the rest of the load. I wanted navigation designed for user control, flexibility, and free practice – and visual design that was attractive, playful, and kept the learner focused on what was important. Both types of design were intended to keep learners engaged and motivated.
  • Tools I used included all programs in Articulate Studio ‘09 (Presenter was a client requirement), and PowerPoint 2010. The other client requirement was to design for delivery via LMS for learners on PCs, and, of course, to design and develop on a budget.

The Result

This course has just gone into full release, but the managers and trainers who have reviewed it have raved. (In a good way.) Many of them didn’t even realize that certain features existed on their Handhelds until they went through this course.

Their expectation is that employees will be far better prepared to work with their sales mobility handhelds by going through this training, and that going back to refresh their knowledge about a particular topic will also be easy to do.

Read More About How I Designed It

I’ve written up how and why I designed some of the key features of this course. Feel free to take a look right here!

A Sneak Peek

If you’d like to see what I’ll be sharing, you can see it right here!