Despair.com
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I have a very large, politically-sensitive implementation project coming up.
This spring, I get a lesson in instructional design creativity and classroom management. No more auto-pilot.
I am taking recommendations. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks much!
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Plan B - 1 trainer. 1 analyst via phone. Meander around to the various groups "training" in their environment.
- I get to make sure the system actually works on their PCs
- Have to build in trouble-shooting time
- Very high level of distraction
- Will be resource-intensive. I don't think I will be able to get around to everyone in the time allotted.
- Time consuming and somewhat stressful. Travel to and from departments, conversations, being pulled to different areas to answer questions and guide.
- Training will not be as consistent. Not sure if this is a good or a bad thing.
- Not sure I can get everyone at computers at the same time for the conversations that are needed. It would depend on each department's setup.
- Will probably need to do this in teams so that we can get to everyone.
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Plan C - 1 trainer. 1 analyst. Synchronous online training.
- Hands-on practically non-existent, unless I can come up with a really creative way to ensure some hands-on work during the session.
- High potential for distraction (if my multi-tasking behavior during most video teleconferences is any indication)
- With my current set-up, I can only see one student computer at a time.
- Have to build in trouble-shooting time. Always amazed at how challenging signing into a video teleconference seems to be for people.
- Not nearly as conducive to conversation / real-time troubleshooting.
- Limits on the number of seats for both the video teleconferencing site and the audio teleconference service. Cannot use VoIP since most end-users in my environment do not have headphones.
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Plan D - Asynchronous online tutorials
- We need the conversation.
- I don't have enough time to develop a full set of tutorials.
- No other resources available to help with tutorial development.
- The vendor does not offer anything that would help.
- Better as an after-training support tool
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Plan E - 1 trainer. 1 analyst. Virtual Desktop
- My friendly IT guru (thanks Jeff!) tells me that I would be able to set it up so I can see multiple computers at once. Like looking over shoulders without actually doing so.
- This would be a pilot. Not entirely certain HOW (or if) this would actually work in our environment.
- Need to build in trouble-shooting time
- Need to build the image and test.
- Still have the limits on the audio teleconference seats.
- Not certain whether I also need to add the synchronous training tool to this solution since I haven't actually seen this in action.
- I don't know if this would be ready in time for the project.
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Plan F - 1 trainer. 1 analyst. Portable Computer Lab.
- Would look like a computer lab
- Would allow for conversation.
- Would make the client happy since they expect a computer lab / classroom environment.
- Resource intensive - the network folks will need to be more involved than usual. From experience, the temporary labs tend to be a bit more unstable than the permanent installs.
- Real-estate intensive. Not sure we have real-estate to put a temporary lab in.
- Hardware intensive. Not sure we have the computers available.
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Bonus Plan - some combination of the above.
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Again - any and all help welcome / encouraged / needed.
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