About the Training Basics Series
1. The Technical Training Enigma
Differences Between Technical and Nontechnical Training
What Is a Technical Organization?
The Role of Technical Training Within the Technical Organization
Technical Courses Versus Technical Learning Experiences
Basic Requirements to Promote Technical Learning and Performance Improvement
Cracking the Enigma—Learning Measurement
2. Effective Technical Training
Variety, Differentiated Instruction, and Varied Practice
3. The Successful Development Team
Roles in Technical Course Development
Successful Developer Characteristics
Traits of the Ideal Subject Matter Expert
4. Technical Training Development Strategies
5. Beginning the Technical Training Project
Introductions, Expectations, and Administrative Information
Important Questions for Stakeholders and SMEs
Identify SMART Learning Objectives
7. Arranging a Technical Curriculum
Options for Arranging a Technical Course
The Building Blocks of a Design Document
8. Designing Classroom Exercises for Highly Technical Content
In-House Sources of Information
External Sources of Information
Maximizing Information You Receive
Challenges of Gathering Information
Specific Tactics for Collecting Information
10. Working With Subject Matter Experts
Finding Out “the Why” From Your SME
Going Through Edits With Your SME
11. The Pilot Class and Beyond
Helping Out the SME-Turned-Trainer
Development Opportunities From the Pilot Class
12. Troubleshooting: Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: Technical Content Is Too Complicated
Challenge: You Can’t Tell What Content Is “Nice to Know” and What Is “Need to Know”
Challenge: Your SME Has a Full-Time Job Outside the Training Department
Challenge: The Course You Have Been Asked to Redesign Has Already Been Taught for Years
Challenge: The Course That Never Gets Finished
Challenge: The Course That Needs to Be Finished Yesterday
Challenge: The Organization Doesn’t Understand Active Training
Challenge: You Don’t Know How to Make the Content Interactive
Challenge: SMEs Disagree on Content
Challenge: Equipment Is Unavailable for Training
Challenge: Concrete Answers Do Not Exist
Challenge: You Have a Global Training Audience
Challenge: Technology Keeps Changing
Challenge: I Don’t Know If My Learning Solution Is Effective