Developing for Training & Education [Part 1]

Written by David Charney
Posted: October 16, 2008 (3 years, 3 months ago) | 0 comments

I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn. - Albert Einstein

Knowledge is a big ingredient when it comes to our ideas and actions. It is the foundation to what we do, how we think, and how we interact. Knowledge is often applied through the presentation of materials or, in some cases, by doing something less than smart and having a realization. This is my preferred method. When developing educational or training based applications we tend to look at three key ideas involved with understanding and applying knowledge: developing state-of-mind, problem solving skills, and experience.

Develop State-of-Mind
Knowledge is like compound interest. Learning and understanding how to apply knowledge is easier and faster once a foundation is in place. By developing the state of mind, we memorize more because we understand clearer and connect the dots more efficiently. A professional is a professional because they have a foundational view and experience of the subject at hand. By focusing the presentation of the materials on developing this foundation, a base can be set to focus on their their ability to apply their knowledge.

How? Ask the professionals. Find out what is foundational and build upon that. Listen to the questions that are asked by the students in current classes. There is a good chance that these questions are asked often and the answers and are asked because of a gap in their state-of-mind. By answering these questions in the materials, a new point-of-view, or state-of-mind will develop.

Develop Problem Solving Skills
Developing your audience’s state-of-mind runs hand-in-hand with their ability to problem solve. Too often information is simply given and not challenged. Taking a multiple choice test does not necessarily prove any information is actually understood. Applying knowledge tends to involve making decisions and solving problems to situations, so focus your presentation of the materials on building these skills.

How? Present problems and let the user figure out the answer. Sometimes a questions or situation will provide multiple views and approaches. Let the student explore. Help them if they need it. They will start to understand how changing a variable over here, directly relates to the outcome over there. Challenge their minds.

Develop Experience
Experience usually develops through the interaction someone has to a given subject. Experience is what develops alongside their state-of-mind and problem solving skills. It comes through understanding and feeling comfortable with their ability to apply knowledge to situations and scenarios.

How? With today’s technology and story telling methods, we can develop experience without expensive and time consuming on-the-job training. Even without training on an actual auto engine, the material can be presented through text, images, animation, and interactivity. By laying a foundation to what what an engine is, and scenarios to why it may be broken. It can allow the student to explore the various parts, names, and functionality. A few focused interactive challenges can be presented that test the students understanding of the engine and their ability to solve the problem at hand.

By focusing on these three learning ideas, students will retain more information, have a clearer understanding, and often find the subject matter far more interesting. All the ingredients you want in a good education.