Integrating Interactive Tutorials

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Integrating Interactive Tutorials

• Using MadCap Software

Mike Hamilton V.P. Product Management mhamilton_at_ma
dcapsoftware.com
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Integrating Interactive Tutorials

• http//madcapsoftware2.wordpress.com

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Interactive Tutorial Considerations

• Preparation
• Development
• Programmer involvement
• Delivery formats
• Browser plug-in requirements
• Software application
• Bandwidth
• File size

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Additional Considerations

• Localization
• Integration and compatibility with other
  applications
• Support

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Simulations

• In eLearning, simulations strive to recreate the
  students 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.

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Stages of Interactivity

• Karrer Simulations in Software Training

Full Simulation
Multiple Paths
Data Input
Realism
Point and Click
Screen Capture
Difficulty of Construction
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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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Interactive Tutorial Tools

• Storyboarding allows you to create flow of
  learning
• Text
• Graphics
• Links
• Interactivity
• Branching
• Assessment

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Interactive Tutorial Tools

• Create low-fidelity storyboards
• Rapid prototyping
• Easy to create
• Easy to modify
• Dont need graphic artist !
• Use 3x5 cards, post-its, PowerPoint
• Establish a style guide

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Sample Storyboard
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Interactive Tutorial Tools

• Create tutorials that are
• Brief (chunking)
• Meet the immediate needs of the user (context)
• Correct identified performance gaps (learning)

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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

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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

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Expanding Roles

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

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Audio
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Audio
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Audio
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Audio

240
Shure SM58 100
Lambda Lexicon 140
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Audio
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Audio

130
Lambda Alpha 80
Shure SM48 50
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Demonstration

• Interactive Tutorial Creation Process
• Prepare
• Record
• Edit
• Integrate or distribute

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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

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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

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Questions
Questions?
Mike Hamilton VP, Product Management mhamilton_at_mad
capsoftware.com