Technical Training

Technical Training Workshop

In this program, we will explore what makes technical training unique, the essential skills necessary for the development team, and the process of developing technical training programs. Detailed solutions, suggestions and take-aways will be provided that address technical training from both the big picture perspective as well as the day-to-day requirements. At the end of the program, learners will have an opportunity to discuss and generate solutions for their own technical training challenges.

Audience

The audience for this program is Instructional Designers, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Trainers and Training Managers. This interactive program will discuss various topics specific to technical training development. The audience is expected to already have an understanding of basic instructional design principles.

About this Program

Module 1: The Technical Training Engima

Technical training is not easy, but if you are able to crack the “Technical Training Enigma”, you increase your chances for success. In this session, we will explore the basics of technical training, including those specific items that make technical training different from non-technical training. The roles needed for technical course development, including the characteristics of a good SME and an effective course developer, are described. Learners will have the chance to evaluate their own strengths and areas for improvement. By the end of this session, learners will be able to:

Define technical training and identify differences between technical and non-technical training.
Evaluate the characteristics of an effective technical developer.
Explain the characteristics of an ideal SME.
Identify tips for finding this ideal SME.

Module 2: Technical Training Development

This session covers how to successfully and efficiently develop technical training courses. Early considerations for development as well as tips for success when selecting an organizational system, incorporating interactivity, and dealing with a specialized jargon will be discussed. The session will end with an in-depth look at completing the editing process with an SME. After this session, learners will be able to:

Evaluate the different ways to begin the technical training project.
Identify needs analysis questions that are specific to technical training.
Select an organizational system for your training course.
Determine tactics to deal with specialized language and technical jargon.
Implement strategies for navigating the editing process with an SME.

Module 3: Challenges and Solutions

This session will cover common challenges and solutions to technical training development; such as projects that never get finished, technical content that is too complicated for most developers to understand, and teaching products or procedures that are constantly in flux. Most importantly, learners will have a chance to discuss and generate solutions for their own technical training challenges. At the end of this session, learners will be able to identify and implement solutions for a variety of technical training challenges.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this program, participants will be able to:

Describe ways that technical training can be approached in an organization.
Evaluate your own technical training team.
Identify success factors related to the development of technical training.
Implement solutions for your own technical training challenges.

Registration
Transfer Policy
Cancellation Policy

Member Price: $395
List Price: $695

By Mail: Registration Form

By Phone: Phone: 1.800.628.2783 or +1.703.683.8100

Participants may transfer their registration to another seminar free of charge. The transfer request must be received in writing five (5) business days prior to the first day of the seminar for which you were originally scheduled. A $50 transfer charge will be applied to all transfers received less than five (5) days prior to the first day of the session. Participant substitutions may be made at any time with written notification to ASTD. If the substitute participant is not an ASTD member and the original participant was, the difference between the member and nonmember rate will be billed.

If cancellation should be necessary, written or email notification to ASTD is required five (5) business days prior to the first day of the seminar. You may receive a full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee, up to and including the 5th business day before the seminar. If you find that you cannot attend, and it is less than five (5) business days before the start of the seminar, you may send a replacement, with written notice to ASTD. If you are unable to send a replacement, you forfeit your registration fee. All credits must be used within 1 year from the date of issuance.

On-Site Offerings

ASTD can make arrangements for this program to be offered on-site at your organization. Your attendees participate in the same learning experience offered at our public workshops, but have the convenience of being at your site and the benefit of covering the material with company peers.

Interested in bringing this program on-site to your organization? Please contact Amanda Miller at amiller@astd.org or 703.683.9215, or request information through our online form.

Facilitators

Sarah Wakefield

Sarah Wakefield is a technical training supervisor for Schlumberger Limited in Houston. Her primary responsibility is managing the design and development of technical training courses for audiences in locations such as the United States, Europe, South America, the Middle East, Russia, China, and North Africa. Before this, Sarah worked as a curriculum designer for various organizations. Sarah also was an instructor of communication, writing, and life success courses at Ivy Tech State College and at Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sarah holds a master's degree in communication from Purdue, as well as a bachelor's degree from Purdue with a double major in professional writing and psychology.

Upcoming Programs

Online Program
Mar 07-21, 2013	Enroll now
Online Program
Jun 13-27, 2013	Enroll now