Targeting Computer Training: Improving Learning by More Effectively Adapting Training to Meet User Needs

Training is an important means by which corporate staff and management can learn computing skills and gain knowledge in new technologies. However, despite the myriad of training methods and options which are available, frequently training does not achieve its desired result. While some of this may be due to individual differences or the ability for a particular subject to learn, the type of training/help can also play an important part. The role of three different forms of training (offline, online, visual online) in promoting or hindering learning was the focus of this empirical study, and the results varied by skill level: novices learned best with the offline manual, and worst with the visual online. Experienced users, on the other hand, learned best with online training and the worst with visual online. Also of significance is the finding that while experienced users have reasonably good perceptions of what kinds of training best contribute to their own learning, novices are largely erroneous in their perceptions. This may cause novices to choose training methods which are minimally useful, or possibly detrimental, in their quest to learn a new programming language. By better targeting the right form of training to a certain level of user, the effectiveness of training can increase, resulting in higher levels of productivity and efficiency.