Providing Computer Training

You may be a brilliant technician, but providing computer training is a completely different game than fixing a computer. It doesn’t rely so much on technical skills; instead it requires social and teaching skills which many computer technicians don’t necessarily have. Here are some tips I learnt over the last 8 years to be the best computer teacher you can be.

Explain things clearly and in great detail

Instead of saying something like “open Internet Explorer”. Say “See that blue E in the top left corner that says Internet Explorer? Can you double click that with the left mouse button for me please”.

Don’t be surprised that many clients wont even know what Internet Explorer is, often they just use the top default link in the start menu which is labeled “Internet”. Always explain in detail.

Put them in the drivers seat

Most people learn better by actually doing the task themselves rather than watching you do it. Get out of the computer chair, give it to them and you can watch over their shoulder to guide them. I find this is the most important thing to help them remember what you are teaching.

Get them to write it down in their own words

Its quite common for the client to forget what they learnt once you leave the premises, especially if there were many steps involved in the task. Get them to write the steps down in their own words that they can understand.

Make them do it again without you helping

Many clients will say they are keeping up with you while its being done the first time, but don’t really understand or remember it. The best way to make sure that they learnt what you are teaching is to make them do it again, based off their own notes without you assisting. Be patient and let them take their time. Some people have narrow vision and have to look at every icon on the desktop before they find the one they want. If they get stuck, give them some hints and let them try again. If they are still stuck, show them that step again and afterwards, make them do the whole process again without your help.

Be patient

We need to remember that many people weren’t brought up in the computer age and/or it just doesn’t come as naturally to them as it does to us. Be patient with them and let them learn at their own speed (besides, who cares how long it takes if you are getting paid per hour?). Also, keep in mind that people who are not good with computers aren’t dumb. Everyone has their own skills somewhere (I can fix most computer problems but I can only do the basics when troubleshooting a car problem). For all you know they used to run a multimillion dollar business. Everyone is each to their own.

Make it easy

For the people who are very new to computers (we’re talking barely-managing-to-use-the-mouse new) and they want to do some basic things like how to find something with Google. Make it as simple as possible by putting shortcuts on the desktop like this and hiding unnecessary things. Other things you can do is make Google their browsers start page and make things happen automatically like the computer choosing the appropriate program when they plug in their digital camera without their intervention.

Once a client finds someone who is patient, lets them take their time, explains things slowly and makes them feel they’ve accomplished something because they can remember the steps, they’ll keep that person for a long time. Make sure its you.