Integrating Interactive Tutorials

1. Integrating Interactive Tutorials Using MadCap Software Mike Hamilton V.P. Product Management mhamilton@madcapsoftware.com

2. Integrating Interactive Tutorials http://madcapsoftware2.wordpress.com

3. Integrating Interactive Tutorials • Objectives • Discuss integrating interactive tutorials and simulations in help and online information systems • Identify interactive tutorial strategies and tools • Discuss the expanding role of the technical writer • View a demonstration

4. Integrating Interactive Tutorials • Objectives • Discuss integrating interactive tutorials and simulations in help and online information systems • Identify interactive tutorial strategies and tools • Discuss the expanding role of the technical writer • View a demonstration

5. What is a tutorial? • What is a tutorial ? • a paper, book, film, or computer program that provides practical information about a specific subject • www.m-w.com, Merriam-Webster online • tutor comes from the Latin root tuare, which means to guide. Therefore, a tutor is someone charged with the instruction and guidance of another

6. Multiple Sources of Learning • Interactive tutorials should be part of an overall information strategy to support your end-users • Installation guide/Getting started guide • Online Help • Tutorials • Communities of practice/forums • Knowledge base/FAQs • Access to case studies or samples or showcase • Quick reference cards in PDF

7. Interactive Tutorial Considerations • Preparation • Development • Programmer involvement • Delivery formats • Browser plug-in requirements • Software application • Bandwidth • File size

8. Additional Considerations • Localization • Integration and compatibility with other applications • Support

9. Simulations • In eLearning, simulations strive to recreate the student’s work environment. • Since context and practice are two keys in retaining and applying knowledge, simulations provide a means for the student to have hands-on experience without the costs or risks involved in working in a “live” environment.

10. Stages of Interactivity Karrer – Simulations in Software Training Full Simulation Multiple Paths Realism Data Input Point and Click Screen Capture Difficulty of Construction

11. Integrating Interactive Tutorials • Objectives • Discuss integrating interactive tutorials and simulations in help and online information systems • Identify interactive tutorial strategies and tools • Discuss the expanding role of the technical writer • View a demonstration

12. Interactive Tutorial Strategies • Interactive tutorials should: • Be easy to find • Provide multiple paths of entry • Be relevant to the immediate needs of the users • Demonstrate best practice

13. Interactive Tutorial Strategies • What tasks should I target for development of tutorials ? • Procedures and processes • Deeper subject information (what happens when, why am I doing it this way, other contextual info) • Advanced concepts (adv features and settings, room to grow, code)

14. Interactive Tutorial Strategies • What other tasks should I target for development of tutorials ? • Quick tours and big picture items • Overall strategies for success • Maximizing effectiveness • Points of known performance gaps • Use feedback mechanisms to validate and pinpoint opportunities

15. Interactive Tutorial Tools • Storyboarding • A process used to design and develop multimedia presentations and web-based training • Storyboarding forces you to: • Examine your motives • Organize your thoughts • Test your ideas

16. Interactive Tutorial Tools • Storyboarding allows you to create flow of learning: • Text • Graphics • Links • Interactivity • Branching • Assessment

17. Interactive Tutorial Tools • Create low-fidelity storyboards: • Rapid prototyping • Easy to create • Easy to modify • Don’t need graphic artist ! • Use 3x5 cards, post-its, PowerPoint • Establish a style guide

18. Sample Storyboard

19. Interactive Tutorial Tools • Create tutorials that are: • Brief (chunking) • Meet the immediate needs of the user (context) • Correct identified performance gaps (learning)

20. Interactive Tutorial Tools • Elements that can be used in a storyboard: • Captions • Highlights boxes • Click boxes • Text-entry boxes • Quizzes and assessments • Branching (intervention, advanced contextual information, related topics) • Audio

21. Integrating Interactive Tutorials • Objectives • Discuss integrating interactive tutorials and simulations in help and online information systems • Identify interactive tutorial strategies and tools • Discuss the expanding role of the technical writer • View a demonstration

22. Expanding Roles • Tech Writer, Help Author, or Instructional Designer ? • Skilled writers • Understanding of browser-based online information • Knowledge of sophisticated tools • Is that enough ?

23. Audio

24. Audio

25. Audio

26. Audio + = $240 Shure SM58 $100 Lambda Lexicon $140

27. Audio

28. Audio + = $130 Lambda Alpha $80 Shure SM48 $50

29. Demonstration • Interactive Tutorial Creation Process • Prepare • Record • Edit • Integrate or distribute

30. Summary • Interactive tutorials can add a learning component to your documentatoin system, but are still only one part to an overall support system • Tutorials can cover a wide variety of subjects • Storyboards help design flow and content for your tutorials • Role of the traditional writer has expanded

31. Integrating Interactive Tutorials • Objectives • Discuss Integrating interactive tutorials and simulations in help and online information systems • Identify interactive tutorial strategies and tools • Discuss the expanding role of the technical writer • View a demonstration

32. Questions Questions? Mike Hamilton VP, Product Management mhamilton@madcapsoftware.com