Computer Training?

slumbersix · 07-24-2006, 01:10 PM

Hello!

We just got a call from a prospective customer. They want us to train them on Microsoft Word and Windows(I think it would be either 2000 or XP). We were wondering if you guys could recommend a training program, tips, pricing, or what would be the best things to cover during a teaching portion for the training. If anyone could offer us some advice, we would greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Joes Computer Repair & Service

geraldtongirl · 07-24-2006, 10:08 PM

Hi there,

I used train staff while working as IT support at my previous workplace.

What I recommend is finding out exactly what purpose will they use Word for. eg just for letters, tables etc or do they want to get really sophisticated and what to know about Macros/ mail merging etc. Then only cover up to what they want.
I usually find that it is better to do training in 1 hour lots otherwise it gets too much for some to take in. You can do 1 day's worth but I find alot of it is forgotten straight after they have left.
I usually go through what the menus have and what features and what the tool bars do then get into formatting information, tables, fonts etc...
I don't know what price to charge though.
Hope that helps.

TurnItOffAndOn · 07-26-2006, 03:15 PM

Hello slumbersix. I'm an IT trainer but in a completely different field from what you are looking at. However, there are things that are common for any training plan and I've done enough of those.

1. Who are the people that need teaching? Have they any experience at all? Are they idiots or intelligent? What is their background, have they done something similar? For what are they going to be using it? This is the most important criterion.

2. What is the timescale?

3. What is the budget?

4. Facilities, does it need to be done on-site or would training facilities need to be provided? If it is on-site, what facilities are available? Projectors, white-boards, desktops, printers all need to be considered. Balance trainers’ expenses against trainees’ expenses.

5. Ensure flexibility in all the above.

6. Make sure lunch is good and coffee is acceptable.

7. Don't do it yourself - end-users are a nightmare.

I'm truncating it a bit here but feel free to ask specifics. Geraldtongirl's comments above are useful for end-users, most people find it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time and retention can be poor.

07-24-2006, 01:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
slumbersix Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 22 OS: XP Pro My System	Computer Training? Hello! We just got a call from a prospective customer. They want us to train them on Microsoft Word and Windows(I think it would be either 2000 or XP). We were wondering if you guys could recommend a training program, tips, pricing, or what would be the best things to cover during a teaching portion for the training. If anyone could offer us some advice, we would greatly appreciate it. Sincerely, Joes Computer Repair & Service

07-24-2006, 10:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
geraldtongirl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 33 OS: WinXP	Hi there, I used train staff while working as IT support at my previous workplace. What I recommend is finding out exactly what purpose will they use Word for. eg just for letters, tables etc or do they want to get really sophisticated and what to know about Macros/ mail merging etc. Then only cover up to what they want. I usually find that it is better to do training in 1 hour lots otherwise it gets too much for some to take in. You can do 1 day's worth but I find alot of it is forgotten straight after they have left. I usually go through what the menus have and what features and what the tool bars do then get into formatting information, tables, fonts etc... I don't know what price to charge though. Hope that helps.

07-26-2006, 03:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
TurnItOffAndOn Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 OS: Win2000	Hello slumbersix. I'm an IT trainer but in a completely different field from what you are looking at. However, there are things that are common for any training plan and I've done enough of those. 1. Who are the people that need teaching? Have they any experience at all? Are they idiots or intelligent? What is their background, have they done something similar? For what are they going to be using it? This is the most important criterion. 2. What is the timescale? 3. What is the budget? 4. Facilities, does it need to be done on-site or would training facilities need to be provided? If it is on-site, what facilities are available? Projectors, white-boards, desktops, printers all need to be considered. Balance trainers’ expenses against trainees’ expenses. 5. Ensure flexibility in all the above. 6. Make sure lunch is good and coffee is acceptable. 7. Don't do it yourself - end-users are a nightmare. I'm truncating it a bit here but feel free to ask specifics. Geraldtongirl's comments above are useful for end-users, most people find it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time and retention can be poor.