Comments on: Generational tech guilt? http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/12/30/generational-tech-guilt/ Technical Communication Blog / Technical Writing Blog Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:58:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Shayne Packer http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/12/30/generational-tech-guilt/comment-page-1/#comment-136762 Shayne Packer Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:37:05 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=2527#comment-136762 Even though I’m in my mid-50s, I’m fortunate because of my many years of technical background. I’m an early adopter. :-) I see this tech guilt problem often as I teach grandparents about technology. Some think they are slow learners. When receiving instructions, they feel like they need to write down every step the first time through, rather than focusing to comprehend the concepts. Much of the problem with computers and technology as a whole, is that they are not always designed to be user friendly. For example, I just bought the top rated VHS-to-DVD burner to copy over my old home videos to DVD. This machine, like many gadgets, is bloated with features that get in the way. The features you use the most are often buried in sub-menus. That’s what I love about the Mac, iPod, and iPhone; they are designed from the ground up to be easy to learn and use. The iPhone is the perfect example; Apple threw out everything about mobile phones, and reinvented the phone. We all know the history of how Apple invented the Macintosh, but unfortunately, the "M" company infiltrated the majority of the business market with their clunky user interface and virus prone OS. Anyway, it has been my experience that, when I show a person how to use a Mac, they catch on so much faster. My point being that inventors need to focus more on usability and overload a device with features. I also find the teaching technique to be important. If you’re familiar with the Suzuki method of learning piano: On day one, they don’t teach young students the names of the keys, or how to read music. They just show them how to play a simple tune by ear, and the child goes home glowing with self confidence. Thanks, Shayne Even though I’m in my mid-50s, I’m fortunate because of my many years of technical background. I’m an early adopter. :-)

I see this tech guilt problem often as I teach grandparents about technology. Some think they are slow learners. When receiving instructions, they feel like they need to write down every step the first time through, rather than focusing to comprehend the concepts.

Much of the problem with computers and technology as a whole, is that they are not always designed to be user friendly. For example, I just bought the top rated VHS-to-DVD burner to copy over my old home videos to DVD. This machine, like many gadgets, is bloated with features that get in the way. The features you use the most are often buried in sub-menus.

That’s what I love about the Mac, iPod, and iPhone; they are designed from the ground up to be easy to learn and use. The iPhone is the perfect example; Apple threw out everything about mobile phones, and reinvented the phone. We all know the history of how Apple invented the Macintosh, but unfortunately, the “M” company infiltrated the majority of the business market with their clunky user interface and virus prone OS. Anyway, it has been my experience that, when I show a person how to use a Mac, they catch on so much faster. My point being that inventors need to focus more on usability and overload a device with features.

I also find the teaching technique to be important. If you’re familiar with the Suzuki method of learning piano: On day one, they don’t teach young students the names of the keys, or how to read music. They just show them how to play a simple tune by ear, and the child goes home glowing with self confidence.

Thanks, Shayne

]]> By: tcv http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/12/30/generational-tech-guilt/comment-page-1/#comment-136757 tcv Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:35:57 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=2527#comment-136757 I suppose the larger lesson here is that when one views the world in black and white, one sees only black and white. It's either my fault or not. It's either the other's fault or not. There can be shared responsibility. In the case of the 95-year old, sure, some responsibility lies with the user to attempt to avail herself of the documentation to learn the user interface. But it's also the responsibility of the designer to try and help the user. And, by the way, "responsibility" and even "blame" are not necessarily condemnations. If either of those are laid at your feet, it doesn't mean you need to become defensive and angry. They are just opportunities to try to do better and/or differently next time. Of course, they might be happier person within me. Ask me later. I suppose the larger lesson here is that when one views the world in black and white, one sees only black and white. It’s either my fault or not. It’s either the other’s fault or not. There can be shared responsibility. In the case of the 95-year old, sure, some responsibility lies with the user to attempt to avail herself of the documentation to learn the user interface. But it’s also the responsibility of the designer to try and help the user.

And, by the way, “responsibility” and even “blame” are not necessarily condemnations. If either of those are laid at your feet, it doesn’t mean you need to become defensive and angry. They are just opportunities to try to do better and/or differently next time.

Of course, they might be happier person within me. Ask me later.

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