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A Recipe for More Engaging Software Demos
April 3rd, 2008 | Posted in Technical Writing |
This is a funny video of Chris Pirillo talking about how difficult it is to teach people software.
In software training sessions I’ve given recently, I’ve learned that demos can be incredibly boring unless you do them in a certain way. People don’t learn much by simply watching you click through everything and explain tabs and buttons. People learn by doing, so you have to get them doing something.
Here’s my recipe, recommended by a friend, for delivering more engaging software demos. (This assumes you’re in a computer lab).
- Show a few of the most common tasks one can do with the software. 10 minutes.
- Give a list of 5-7 tasks (not too hard) for users to complete. While they work on the tasks, walk around and help them out individually. 15 min.
- As a group, walk through how to do each exercise. 10 min.
- Answer miscellaneous questions. 10 min.
People like to be challenged with exercises — that’s the key. Even if you haven’t shown them how to do the task, that’s okay. Let them try to figure it out.
Also, make sure you invite your interaction designer to come and watch people stumble around the application.
What tips and techniques do you use to keep people engaged while giving software demos?
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April 4th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I’ve done software demos on our company products, sharepoint, and Microsoft Word for adult learners.
Usually in a class of 3-4 they get lost in the first 2 minutes. Then I have to repeat and do every step slower.
If i have no printed handouts (for quick 1 hour lessons)
I write on the whiteboard all the class objectives i.e. tasks to complete within the hour, 4-5 key tasks.
I tell them to watch and take note as I perform one task. Then give them 2 minutes to replicate what I did.
Then when everyone is comfortable I move on to the next task on the board.
Sometimes its frustrating, to them, because I may move too fast, or they may see something interesting they want to experiment with but the class is too structured to let them experiment… experimenting is great way to learn, but a headache for trainers managing a class when training with a set of clear lesson objectives…:)
April 4th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Thanks 4feer for sharing your method. I think that would work well. I’m fond of the idea of demonstrating a task and then asking others to repeat. Thanks.
I think often when we demo 8-10 tasks in a row in lecture style we think others are getting it. But then we realize, when they attempt to do it themselves, that they have many questions.
April 4th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I’m like 4feer. I usually train internal employees on software they will be using to do their jobs.
It’s important to know the business processes that surround the actual software steps. For example, if they are learning how to put invoice data into a system, how do they get the invoices? Are they paper or electronic? If something is illegible, whom can they turn to for help?
By approaching it holistically (for lack of a better word), I can hold the students’ interest because most people like to talk about their job. We’re not talking about clicks and screens and buttons, but a tool that will help them do their job.
The larger the class, the harder it is to keep everyone on the same page. You’ll always have the sharpies who speed ahead, the followers who match your every step, and the laggards who get stuck on the login page or maybe just have a faulty computer or connection.
As an instructor, you have to have a sanguine approach. If you get flustered or discouraged or snippy, you’re toast. You must stay calm.