Last time, we looked
at how to Roll Out Your Own End User Computer Training Program and Save
a Bundle.
We saw why small business PC users get so little computer training, how
your company's "internal guru" is in a great position to fill
this void, and how to go about selecting computer training topics that
are most relevant to your company's business needs.
Now let's shift gears and look at ten core computer
training topics that just about every small business PC user needs to
know. You may wish to simply print out this article and use it as
introductory material for your informal computer training sessions -- or
use the tips to develop your computer technology
lesson plans or computer applications lesson
plans.
Computer Training Tip# 1: Network Logon
-
Start with the basics to insure that each user knows
company logon procedures.
-
Highlight any password requirements, such as case sensitivity or
automatic password expirations.
Computer Training Tip# 2: The Windows Desktop
-
Explain the purpose of the Windows Desktop and how
Shortcuts can be used to quickly launch commonly used programs, folders,
and files.
-
Show how to create and remove Desktop shortcuts.
Computer Training Tip# 3: The Start Menu
-
Give a quick tour of the Program groups that are most
relevant to your company's needs.
-
Point out how the Documents folder keeps track of the
last 15 files opened - preventing "lost file panic" and saving
many help desk calls.
Computer Training Tip# 4: Windows Explorer
-
Provide an overview of local drive letters and your
company's standard network drive letter conventions for shared folders.
-
Demonstrate how to use "Search" and
"Find File" functions to locate missing files.
-
Offer examples of how to turn on View All Details and
sort on various file attributes, such as filename, size, and file type,
within a folder.
Computer Training Tip# 5: Printers
-
Review the location of shared network printers, usage
restrictions, and default assignments.
-
Show how to change the default printer in the
Printers folder, as well as how to change the selection through the
File, Print menu command.
Computer Training Tip# 6: Microsoft Office
-
Demonstrate the value of ScreenTips for hovering on
top of toolbar buttons and getting a concise explanation of the button's
function.
-
Give an overview of relevant toolbar buttons on each
Microsoft Office application used by your company.
Computer Training Tip# 7: Virus Prevention
Computer Training Tip# 8: Internet Usage
Computer Training Tip# 9: Data Backup
-
Point out where data files should be stored in
pre-configured default folder paths for various software applications.
-
Advise users on which drive letters and folders are
included in nightly automated backup routines.
Computer Training Tip# 10: Shutdown
Because end user computer training is expensive, many
small businesses tend to resist investing in formal classroom computer
training. However, this can be a huge mistake.
Last time, we saw how you
can tap your company's internal guru to put together an informal
computer training program. In this article, we looked at ten universal
topics to use as the foundation for your company's informal computer
training sessions. Even better, think of this article as your computer
technology lesson plans or computer
applications lesson plans.
