BOOK REVIEW

Weiss, Elaine. The Accidental Trainer: You Know Computers, So They Want You to Teach Everyone Else. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 1997. ISBN 0-7879-0293-4 $19.95

Here’s a book with much to offer those of us who do hands-on training. Despite the title, which alludes to more of a business setting, Elaine Weiss has written a book that anyone who teaches others to use computers should read. In 175 pages, she succinctly covers how to go about training, including what to teach, how to teach it, and how to assess both teaching and learning. Whether you train formally in the classroom, or help learners informally at the terminals, this book can give you tools to get the job done.

Dr. Weiss received her Ed.D. from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, and was an instructional design consultant for twenty years, working with clients such as AT&T and General Electric. In 1994, she wrote Making Computers People-Literate. Currently, Dr. Weiss is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine, where her present specialty is domestic violence awareness training. In January of this year, her Surviving Domestic Violence: Voices of Women Who Broke Free was published.

The first section of The Accidental Trainer sets the stage by reminding us that as we gain competence ourselves as computer users, it may become more difficult for us to relate to and respond to the difficulties of those we train. We are encouraged to remember what it was like to be a novice.

In section two we are taught to assess the learners, the usability of the system and the work environment. How many of us perform a conscious assessment of those last two? Weiss points out their importance. We are encouraged to remember that we can’t teach everything, so we must be selective and teach that which will have the greatest impact.

Section three covers selecting instructional methods and products. She emphasizes that telling is not teaching. Matching methods to the task at hand is covered, as is accommodating learning styles, multiple skill levels, active learning, and the adult learner.

Section four is devoted to a discussion of the most effective ways to evaluate both teaching and learning, noting that the learner’s performance is key.

Besides summarizing theory clearly and emphasizing what’s most essential, Dr. Weiss sprinkles the book liberally with figures, rating scales, checklists and tables that can be adapted to any setting.

The figures are helpful in illuminating a number of points. One, titled " A Blueprint for Computer Training," relates the content (what I teach) to the process (how I teach) and the outcome (how I tell if it worked). "The Three Major Variables of Needs Assessment" is a great reminder about how to decide on the content for instruction by assessing the learners, system and the work environment. "The Proficiency Continuum" shows us the variety of learners we will encounter. The Four Faces of Human-Computer Interaction" helps us examine the computer interface in order to assess which aspects of it may be the most challenging for learners. " Dimensions of the Work Environment" prompts us to think about how our users will be using the skills we are trying to impart.

The checklists are equally helpful. There are usability assessment tools, content design checklists, course evaluation and follow-up rating scales, and a trainer’s peer evaluation checklist.

I have been exposed to many books about teaching, but I don’t believe any have been more straightforward than this little book. This book gives everyone, from the neophyte to pro, useful guidance and tips. Because the book is short, it can be read in an evening and put to work the next day. If I had just landed a position where BI was part of the job description, or if I was a BI supervisor and needed a reference for coaching others, I would get a copy of this book.

Reference librarian Deleyne Wentz works at the Merrill Library, Utah State University, Logan, UT.

LIRT News, June 2000. Volume 22, number 4.
To report problems, please contact the LIRT News Production editor at jronan@ufl.edu

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