Oh boy, here we go again. This is another one of those cases where this could mean a few things, and in trying to explain and describe the topic, I have to flop all over the flaming place and ultimately, I’m going to have explained none of the definitions of usability training.
The Problem:
The problem is, usability training could mean either enhancing the usability of training technologies and other facilities, or it could mean training in the science of usability. Or, it could mean both at the same time, but that’s usually preposterous.
The thing is, I do need to talk about both of these, and since people use this term for both definitions (with no clarification in their searches – why would anyone know to?), you’ve come to this with one of those in mind.
Alas, I can’t know which.
For Usability in Training:
The biggest thing for usability in training systems is to adopt a few technologies that have been worked out to handle this problem rather famously.
First, you should consider adopting an LMS such as Moodle, which allows for centralized learning, independent of location. This also allows for a lot of diversified training methodologies and philosophies, which takes a lot of the bite and tedium out of the training problems.
The other technology, however, is something all the more unique.
WalkMe was created as a tutorial system, which can guide people, step by step, through a process automatically and procedurally. It’s easy to program, with a point and click interface.
While it trains users, it can track their patterns, correct their mistakes, and prompt them on what to do next, if they become confused. They can accomplish real work as they’re trained, cutting down on that time expense as well.
For Training in Usability:
I don’t really have that much to say about this other than things that should be considered in training people for this field.
One of the biggest things to consider is that they have a sense of art. See, a GUI needs to be practical, but the same sense of color and presentation, as well as use of space which all artists must truly understand in order to get by, also apply here.
Even if they’re not going to be coders, only designers, they should also at least have two years of programming training courses, starting with a very basic language, and moving on to one similar to the main industries.
Finally, a good understanding of sociology and psychology also matter, because it’s all about working to fit human mind set and human logic that ultimately works well, or fails when it comes to usability.
So, no matter who’s working on usability and in what particular discipline therein, cross training in all of the aspects and sciences applicable to the whole shebang is absolutely mandatory, for everyone to gel and to work together well.
Conclusion:
See, if usability training didn’t mean two completely different things, then I could have covered either of these in much better, far more useful detail. But, because it does mean both, and I have no idea which one you’re after, I had to go and do this again.
