Training tools - reference resources.

Training tools - reference
Originally uploaded by Philipbradley.

People obviously want handouts when they come on courses, but these are always going to get filed away, and the value of them is pretty much lost. So I came up with an idea to make life a little bit easier, which is to create a series of reference cards for people to use.

The larger cards provide quick reference access to Google syntax and lists of other search engines, and the colourful one is a list of Web 2.0 resources, front and back. They can also be turned into magnets for going on fridges or filing cabinets for example. The idea is simple - just produce these in large numbers (stationary websites often offer freebies that you can use for this purpose) and then give each course delegate half a dozen of the things. They can then use them, keep them by their computer, give to colleagues, put up on noticeboards and so on.  Obviously I can't put everything onto a card, so there are always links to other resources on my site for them to visit as well.

The smaller card in the middle is business sized and it lists some key Google syntax (I've managed to get 13 onto one card and still make sure it's readable), with half a dozen search engines listed below. The idea here is that you can prop it next to a terminal, stick it to the side of a monitor, keep in a wallet or just use as scattercards and leave them lying around the library for other people to pick up and use. They're not expensive, and stationary sites will do these by the 100 or 500 for example, and they're great fun to give out. Delegates really do seem to like them, and I think that, as long as you're thoughtful in what you put on, they're really helpful.

Comments

[Brad Hinton]

Phil,

I like the idea of the cards, especially the bit about leaving them in a location (library, for example) for others to pick up. Serendipity par excellence!