Tech

1. 6Six Essential Skills for
One on One Tech Instruction
Crystal Schimpf
Library Training Consultant
Kixal, LLC

2. About me
» Librarian
» Technology Trainer
» Digital Literacy Specialist
» Library Training Consultant
» Berkeley, CA

3. About you
» Do you provide technology training or
assistance to library patrons?

4. Agenda
» Introductions
» Reflection
» Challenges
» Skills
» Q&A

5. Reflection Question
Think of a time when you had to learn a
new technology through individual or
group instruction.
» What worked well?
» What did not work well?

6. Tech Instruction Challenges
» Interpersonal communication
» Teaching techniques
» Learner attitude & engagement
» Reaction to learner
NOT as much about the tech as we think!

7. Tech Instruction Methods
RecordedGroup
VirtualOne-on-One

8. 5. Take it slow
4. Stay focused
3. Give up control
2. Assess the need
6. Communicate clearly
1. Be welcoming
6 Essential Skills
for One-on-One
Tech Instruction

9. 1. Be welcoming
1
Photo
Credit:
Flickr,
Lars
Hammar
h6ps://flic.kr/p/4jTRQc

10. How-to: Be welcoming
» Friendly smile
» Meet them where they are
» Get to know the learner
1

11. 2. Assess the need
2

12. How-to: Assess the need
» Ask lots of questions
» Clarify the question/problem
» Identify their goals
» Don’t jump to conclusions
» Learn their interests
2

13. 3. Give up control
3
Photo
credit:
Flickr,
Dale
Lane
h6ps://flic.kr/p/9PS7DF

14. » Let them “drive”
» Allow hands-on practice
» Let them lead
» Collaborate with them
How-to: Give up control
3

15. 4. Stay focused
4
Photo
credit:
KeepCalm-­‐o-­‐maGc,
Raquel,
h6p://www.keepcalm-­‐o-­‐maGc.co.uk/p/keep-­‐calm-­‐and-­‐focus-­‐your-­‐a6enGon/

16. How-to: Stay focused
» Listen closely
» React thoughtfully
» Improvise: Be flexible & creative
» Admit your own limits
» Learn with them
4

17. 5. Go slow
5
Photo
credit:
Flickr,
dotpolka
h6ps://flic.kr/p/fT5yf

18. How-to: Go slow
» Break it down into steps
» Select teaching points with care
» Don’t assume knowledge
» Be patient
5

19. 7. Communicate clearly
6

20. How-to:
Communicate clearly
» Simplify ideas & concepts
» Give relevant examples
» Avoid jargon
» Check in with learners
» Allow for Q&A
6

21. 5. Take it slow
4. Stay focused
3. Give up control
2. Assess the need
6. Communicate clearly
1. Be welcoming
6 Essential Skills
for One-on-One
Tech Instruction

22. BONUS
TIP

23. HAVE FUN!!!
Photo
credit:
Flickr,
Link
Humans
h6ps://flic.kr/p/dFZcpr

24. HAVE FUN!!!
» Tell jokes
» Use puns
» Show silly images
» Practice with fun websites

25. 5. Take it slow
4. Stay focused
3. Give up control
2. Assess the need
6. Communicate clearly
1. Be welcoming
6 Essential Skills
for One-on-One
Tech Instruction
BONUS TIP: HAVE FUN!!!

26. Thank
you!
Crystal Schimpf
crystal@kixal.com
@crystalschimpf

27. Resources
Competencies
» Technology Trainer Competencies
(Colorado State Library)
http://coloradovirtuallibrary.org/create/technology-trainer-competencies
» Competency Index for the Library Field
(WebJunction)
http://webjunction.org/documents/webjunction/Competency_Index_for_the_Library_Field.html
Learning Technology
» DigitalLearn.org
http://digitallearn.org/
» GCF Learn Free
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/
» CommonCraft
http://www.commoncraft.com/
» OnGuard Online
http://www.commoncraft.com/