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Developing MaterialsDeveloping Materials

Instructor:

Paul Clothier

An Infopeople Workshop2004

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This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople ProjectThis Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Project

Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project supported by the California State Library. It provides a wide variety of training to California libraries. Infopeople workshops are offered around the state and are open registration on a first-come, first-served basis.

For a complete list of workshops, and for other information about the Project, go to the Infopeople Web site at infopeople.org.

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OutlineOutline

Targeting your audience

Outlining, chunking and sequencing

Choosing types of training materials

Simplicity and clarity

Creating exercises

The appropriate use graphics

Adding interest to materials

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A Materials Development Process A Materials Development Process

What is the Purpose of the Materials?

Who is the Audience?

What Type of Materials are Needed?

Collate Content

Outline, Chunk and Sequence

Create Exercises

Create Job Aids

Add MeaningfulGraphics

Spice Up Materials

Flesh OutMaterials

Review

Review

Review

Review

Review

Req

uir

em

en

ts

Review

Final Review

Use Materials

Evaluate Materials

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What different purposes do training materials serve?

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The Purpose of Training Materials The Purpose of Training Materials

To support instructor-led training during and after class

For self-study hardcopy, online

As a job aid cheat-sheet, process steps

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Targeting your AudienceTargeting your Audience

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Avoid developing material that should

be a prerequisite

If necessary provide a cheat-sheet or

appendix for prerequisite reference

material

PrerequisitesPrerequisites

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What is their predominant learning

style? Auditory, Visual, Written, Kinesthetic?

How do they approach new

information Are they Dynamic-Active or Passive-

Reflective learners?

Style and PreferenceStyle and Preference

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Beginner Provide very simple, clear, unambiguous

instructions with graphics

Materials should make no assumptions

More Advanced You often won’t need to detail every single step or

keystroke - just provide basic ideas.

Materials can be less thorough as long as

appropriate detailed references are available

ExperienceExperience

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Outlining, Chunking and Sequencing

Outlining, Chunking and Sequencing

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OutliningOutlining

Flesh out your content incrementally

Review at each stage

Objective

Topics

Main points

Final content

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#1 Outlining

Written Exercise Written Exercise

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ChunkingChunking

Chunk content by concept, idea or task

One concept, idea or task per page, screen or graphic

Chunk content early in the process

Idea

……..……..……..

Idea

……..……..……..

Concept

……..……..……..

Concept

……..……..……..

concept

……..……..……..

concept

……..……..……..

Idea

……..……..……..

Idea

……..……..……..

Idea

IDEAConceptIdea

concept

Idea

IDEAConceptIdea

concept

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Example - Intro to PowerPointExample - Intro to PowerPoint

Topic: Slide Layout Main Point: Using Graphics

Chunks: - The value of a graphic - Where to find graphics - Two ways to insert a graphic - How to resize a graphic - Grouping graphic elements

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#2 Chunking

Written Exercise Written Exercise

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SequencingSequencing

Cover the simplest first

Ramp up the complexity

Let the content build on previous sections

Have someone review the sequence

Sequence at the outlining stage

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Choosing Types of Training MaterialsChoosing Types of Training Materials

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Determining the Type of MaterialDetermining the Type of Material

Usage

Workbook

Manual Handout Job Aid Self-paced

Used throughout instruction

Reference

Sole training tool

Self paced study

Used from beginning to

end

Start and stop use

Updated periodically

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#3 Purpose of Materials Checklist

Written Exercise Written Exercise

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Before Creating Content Before Creating Content

Does the content already exist? From other workshops In a book Online Pre-existing manual

Can you reuse any content?

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Using TemplatesUsing Templates

Don’t reinvent the wheel - use standard templates.

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Highlight Vital Information Highlight Vital Information

Use bullets, bold type, and large type to highlight vital information.

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Help Learners Organize InformationHelp Learners Organize Information

Use flowcharts, tables, lists, graphics, charts, schematics, and models to help learners organize information.

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Use Icons and SymbolsUse Icons and Symbols

Use icons or symbols to help learners spot key points and references quickly.

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Use Graphics to Support TextUse Graphics to Support Text

Use graphics, photos, and icons to clarify text and to break up large amounts of text.

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Ensure they are: Simple Clear Sequenced Show main

ideas/steps

Consider: Color-coding Laminating Placing online

Quick References Quick References

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Content Considerations Content Considerations

Handout-

Training Content Consideration List

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#4 Content Considerations

Written Exercise Written Exercise

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Simplicity and ClaritySimplicity and Clarity

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Be sure to separate concepts from procedures

Concepts must be understood for procedures to make sense

Concepts vs Procedures Concepts vs Procedures

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#5 Concepts vs Procedures

Written Exercise Written Exercise

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Showing Procedures Showing Procedures

Separate “what they do” from other content

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Using IconsUsing Icons

Whenever possible use screenshots of buttons and icons when referring to them.

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Don’t explain what they’ll see - show it…

Use Screenshots Use Screenshots

Choose Format > Paragraph and under the Indents and Spacing tab you will see a whole list of indentation and spacing options. On the right hand side of the dialog box you will see Special and a drop-down menu. Choose First Line from the drop-down.

ChooseFirst Line

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Don’t make font sizes too small

Use a consistent style and format

Utilize headers and footers

Use spiral bindings if possible

Don’t print too many manuals

Manual Design Manual Design

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Create a Format Convention Create a Format Convention

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Using White Space Using White Space

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Using White Space Using White Space Margins

Line Spacing

Space aroundGraphics

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Choose File > Save As

Type in myFile

Click OK

1. Word

2. Excel

3. PowerPoint

Bullets or Numbering? Bullets or Numbering?

1. Choose File > Save As

2. Type in myFile

3. Click OK

Word Excel PowerPoint

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Make content easy to find and refer to…

Number pages and sections

Number pages, graphics, and tables

Provide a table of contents or index

Referencing Information Referencing Information

Fig. 2 An Entity

Section 1

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Creating ExercisesCreating Exercises

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Allow learners to:

Become involved

Think independently

Test skills or knowledge

Build confidence

Express creativity

The Value of Exercises The Value of Exercises

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Exercises should reflect the tasks learners

will be asked to perform…

Skills training Have them practice skills - hands-on

Knowledge training Test understanding - test recall

Attitude training Role playing and discussion

Types of ExercisesTypes of Exercises

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1. Click on File > Open

2. Select abc.doc from the list of files

3. Go to the end of the document by pressing <Ctrl><End>

1. Open the Word document abc

2. Move to the end of the document by using a shortcut key

Thinking vs Following StepsThinking vs Following Steps

Where possible exercises should be designed to challenge the learner to think or recall.

A

B

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Consider creating more advanced, “bonus” exercises Emphasize thinking and problem solving Useful for a class that has a wide range of

abilities Give them a challenge “See if you can…”

On-the-spot exercises

Other ExercisesOther Exercises

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#6 Designing an Exercise

Written Exercise Written Exercise

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The Appropriate Use of GraphicsThe Appropriate Use of Graphics

“What is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures.”

Lewis Carroll

The Value of GraphicsThe Value of Graphics

Well designed graphics… Are easier to communicate processReduce the explanatory text neededHelp communicate conceptsSimplify complexityAdd interest

When to Include a GraphicWhen to Include a Graphic

When it clarifies or simplifiesWhen you are explaining a process or how things work togetherWhen content is highly conceptualWhen a diagram would provide more information than simple text.

Creating Elegant Diagrams Creating Elegant Diagrams

Keep it as simple as possibleKeep it as clear as possibleHave it be self-explanatoryUse colors for a purposeUse arrows to show order, action, directionInclude standard symbols/icons

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Good Diagram Good Diagram

Poor DiagramPoor Diagram

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#7 Designing a Diagram

Written Exercise Written Exercise

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Adding Interest to MaterialsAdding Interest to Materials

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“What is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures.”

Lewis Carroll

Quotations Quotations

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Cartoons and Humor Cartoons and Humor

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Slideware Animation

head

foot

leg

hand – three digits

torsohip

shoulder

Understanding Your Body

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Jeopardy Quiz Jeopardy Quiz

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