One of the leading reasons for the digital divide is that some people learned about computers in school, and some people (maybe you) did not. If you were never formally taught about computers, the Web, or interactive media and you don't have a "shucks, let's-just-hack-away-at-it" approach to things, you may find it difficult to play catch-up with software these days.
This becomes especially critical if it's a productivity software, is in any way related to the work you do (or long to do), or is a software program that otherwise keeps you in business - whoever you're working for. So if you don't have a deep-pocketed employer picking up the tab on software or computer training, what do you do, and where do you go?
Your choices will most likely boil down to: 1) Enlist a friend or family member to help you, 2) sign up for a class near you, 3) read a book on the subject, or 4) find help online.
In the past I tried options #1 and #3 with limited success - until I discovered online learning. I find the online learning approach to be the most effective approach because of the way I personally like to learn. I like a lot of visual reinforcement on new concepts, and therefore prefer some form of multimedia presentation. Multimedia training allows me to see and hear the material, and work along at my own pace. It's easy to literally "rewind" the multimedia program (which usually takes the form of an online or DVD video) to review something I didn't quite get the first time around.
I have checked out a few of the online trainers, and always come back to Lynda.com. Lynda.com is a venture started by Web designer Lynda Weinman. Weinman wrote some leading books on Web graphics and Web design many years back which I found helpful (not to mention funny). Weinman has subsequently expanded her business (greatly) to cover subjects from numerous other trainers (there are currently over 24,000 video tutorials available online on Lynda.com). It is a great resource.
There's only one hitch: It isn't free. You can sample a few sections of courses online, but eventually if you want more you will need to subscribe. Monthly the site subscription runs $25; annually, subscriptions start at $250. What you'll get is unlimited access to the instruction - all you can view. (Check out the free titles available).
If you're trying to be more proficient with a particular computer software program, it's useful to go through the full tutorial on the application - made up of multiple QuickTime movies that allow you to follow along as the instructor uses the program.
Additionally, the site has instruction on general computer-related topics that are not software specific (e.g., using graphics for business presentations, or general concepts about digital photography.) These type of courses tend to be more presentation-like rather than the "over-the-shoulder" tutorials.
I'm a monthly subscriber, and a happy one. Whenever I have a question about a major software program that can't be easily answered by the manual or the online help, I just go to Lynda.com, and then select one or two of the little sections within the related online course that seem most appropriate. Usually I find what I'm looking for. They don't have instruction on absolutely every computer program out there, but they have a lot.
For more information or to try a free lesson (or two, or three), go to: www.lynda.com.
Comments