6 Essential Skills for One on One Tech Instruction

6 Six Essential Skills for One on One Tech Instruction

Agenda

»  Introductions »  Reflection »  Challenges »  Skills »  Q&A

Reflection Question

Think of a time when you had to learn a new technology through individual or group instruction.

»  What worked well? »  What did not work well?

Tech Instruction Challenges

»  Interpersonal communication »  Teaching techniques »  Learner attitude & engagement »  Reaction to learner NOT as much about the tech as we think!

Tech Instruction Methods

Recorded Group

Virtual One-on-One

5. Take it slow

4. Stay focused

3. Give up control

2. Assess the need

6. Communicate clearly

1. Be welcoming

6 Essential Skills for One-on-One Tech Instruction

1. Be welcoming

1

Photo  Credit:  Flickr,  Lars  Hammar  h6ps://flic.kr/p/4jTRQc  

How-to: Be welcoming

»  Friendly smile

»  Meet them where they are

»  Get to know the learner

1

2. Assess the need

2

How-to: Assess the need

»  Ask lots of questions

»  Clarify the question/problem

»  Identify their goals

»  Don’t jump to conclusions

»  Learn their interests

2

3. Give up control

3

Photo  credit:  Flickr,  Dale  Lane  h6ps://flic.kr/p/9PS7DF  

»  Let them “drive”

»  Allow hands-on practice

»  Let them lead

»  Collaborate with them

How-to: Give up control 3

4. Stay focused

4

Photo  credit:  KeepCalm-­‐o-­‐maGc,  Raquel,  h6p://www.keepcalm-­‐o-­‐maGc.co.uk/p/keep-­‐calm-­‐and-­‐focus-­‐your-­‐a6enGon/  

How-to: Stay focused

»  Listen closely

»  React thoughtfully

»  Improvise: Be flexible & creative

»  Admit your own limits

»  Learn with them

4

5. Go slow

5

Photo  credit:  Flickr,  dotpolka  h6ps://flic.kr/p/fT5yf  

How-to: Go slow

»  Break it down into steps

»  Select teaching points with care

»  Don’t assume knowledge

»  Be patient

5

6. Communicate clearly

6

How-to: Communicate clearly »  Simplify ideas & concepts

»  Give relevant examples

»  Avoid jargon

»  Check in with learners

»  Allow for Q&A

6

5. Take it slow

4. Stay focused

3. Give up control

2. Assess the need

6. Communicate clearly

1. Be welcoming

6 Essential Skills for One-on-One Tech Instruction

BONUS TIP

HAVE FUN!!!

Photo  credit:  Flickr,  Link  Humans  h6ps://flic.kr/p/dFZcpr  

HAVE FUN!!!

»  Tell jokes

»  Use puns

»  Show silly images

»  Practice with fun websites

5. Take it slow

4. Stay focused

3. Give up control

2. Assess the need

6. Communicate clearly

1. Be welcoming

6 Essential Skills for One-on-One Tech Instruction

BONUS TIP: HAVE FUN!!!

Thank you!

www.kixal.com [email protected]

@kixalkixal

Resources

Competencies »  Technology Trainer Competencies

(Colorado State Library) http://coloradovirtuallibrary.org/create/technology-trainer-competencies

»  Competency Index for the Library Field (WebJunction) http://webjunction.org/documents/webjunction/Competency_Index_for_the_Library_Field.html

Learning Technology »  DigitalLearn.org 

http://digitallearn.org/ »  GCF Learn Free 

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/ »  CommonCraft 

http://www.commoncraft.com/ »  OnGuard Online

http://www.commoncraft.com/