Tech Trends - Industry Articles

Teaching Today How to Learn Tomorrow

By Connie Morrison

From the start, says Connie Morrison "learners should participate in teamwork projects that focus on the process of finding, sharing and using information."

When it comes to teaching software applications, it would all be so easy if everything stayed the same. But software applications keep changing. With each new version, the menu options change, more toolbars and toolbar buttons are available, and new cutting-edge features are added to help the user work faster and smarter. To add to the challenge, new versions come quickly. The short shelf life of applications forces all users to constantly change and upgrade.

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“ learners should participate in teamwork projects that focus on the process of finding, sharing and using information. ”

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But it's not just the applications that are changing. The future is marked increasingly with change, information growth, and evolving technologies. The way we communicate is different, the way we access information is different, and the way we learn is different. To prepare technology-capable learners, we must empower them to comprehend new concepts, solve problems, make decisions, and communicate.

Thus, the instructional strategies utilized for teaching software applications must also change. The following strategies will train learners to adapt to changes and learn new software applications easily and rapidly.

Strategy 1

Most instructional materials provide step-by-step instructions that describe all the necessary point-and-clicks for completing specified tasks. When learners follow these detailed instructions, however, they are inclined to focus just on the steps they are reading. As a result, after completing all of the steps, the learners fail to comprehend the concept of what it is they have just done with an application.

First, teach beyond the step-by-step procedures. Introduce new features with an explanation of the concept. Discuss how the features work and why they are used. Take time to discuss the process so learners understand what they have accomplished.

Second, don't allow learners to become dependent on step-by-step instructions. Encourage them to discover new features on their own. How many young children do you know who learned to play Nintendo® games by reading an instruction manual? They usually learn the game by pressing buttons and choosing from the options until they succeed. Train your learners to choose from the available options in a menu or on a toolbar and then evaluate the results. If the option they choose does not produce the desired outcome, they can usually back out by choosing Undo.

Strategy 2

Instruction is generally driven by a course syllabus naming a multitude of software features to be covered. There are usually so many features and so little time. The ultimate value of using any of the features, however, is dependent on the learner's ability to successfully and efficiently complete a variety of tasks.

When introducing the basic features, demonstrate ways the learner can find information about the features. For example, discuss the screen tips, messages, and wizards that are available to help the user choose the right feature and use it correctly. Before introducing more advanced features, assign projects that provide opportunities for learners to apply the new concepts and use critical thinking skills to solve problems. Evaluation should include an assessment of the learner's ability to choose the appropriate tools to complete the assigned tasks. Then, as the learners progress to the more advanced features, encourage them to use the screen tips, messages and wizards to explore the new features on their own.

Strategy 3

Help screens are a valuable resource of learning tools. Few people, however, like to access help screens. How many times have you heard the complaint, "Help screens don't help." Or, even more common is the comment, "I don't have time to look it up."

The easier it is to use, the more it will get used. Most help features in current versions of software are greatly improved, and they are becoming much easier to use. There are usually a variety of help resources available including help menus, indexes, assistants, and Web sites.

The key to successfully using help resources is in knowing the key words to search for in the help screens. Looking for information in help screens is similar to searching for information on the Internet. If you don't find what you're looking for in the first attempt, change the key words and keep looking.

Although many users are reluctant to learn how to use help features, it is the most important lesson to be learned. Once learners get comfortable using the help features, they will routinely use the help resources to learn new features and troubleshoot problems. Being proficient at using help features facilitates an easy transition to new and different software applications.

Strategy 4

New applications, such as Office 2000, streamline the way you work with people and information. Today's workers must be able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally.

There are several ways to use software tools to share information and collaborate on projects. For example, users can conduct online meetings, route documents, track changes in documents, and even edit another's documents online, just to name a few. Although it may not be possible to teach all these features or to simulate all the online interaction in the classroom, learners should participate in teamwork projects that focus on the process of finding, sharing, and using information. This learning structure requires team members to plan together, identify activities, divide responsibilities, combine information gathered, and communicate what they have learned. Learners will gain necessary interpersonal skills necessary for productive participation in today's workforce.

If you teach learners the skills for discovering and mastering software tools, not only will you train them to adapt to changes in current technologies, but you will also train them to be independent learners so they can successfully adapt to changes in new technologies in the future. This will prepare them for life-long learning beyond the classroom and ensure that they are technology-capable and ready to live, learn, and work successfully in an increasingly complex and information-rich society.