tcd40: structuring information

Structure Information


Designing training for the first time?

[email protected]

v1.0 – Mar 2016

mailto:[email protected]


DefineGeneral Design

CreateTest

CreateInformation

Blocks

StructureInformation

AddInstruction

DevelopTraining

Implement & Evaluate

Context

2TECADI Training Technologies Ltd – Mar 2016. v1.0

Structure Information in the context of a systematic approach to design and development of good training.

Author

(You)

Structured Documents

( Documents, Presentations,

Animations/videos)

Build Information Maps

Identify Information Types

Create Structured Document


A Guiding Principle

The 7+-2 Principle:

Short term memory has limited capacity.

• The number of chunks a human can recall immediately after presentation depends on the category of chunks used, and even on features of the chunks within a category.

This principle impacts the proposed approach to information design at a different levels, from the paragraph length to the document’s structure.






Build Information

Maps


From information blocks

to information maps




A collection of relevant Information

Blocks about a limited topic.

Information Maps :

• aid the author in organizing large

amounts of information during the

analysis phase, and

help the user to understand the

structure of the subject matter.

Components:

• A title

• Related blocks

* Apply 7+-2 rule

A title that describes the purpose

of grouping all these information

blocks.

Related blocks that are

about a particular topic.



Structured Documents

The application of the previous

information design rules, principles and

guidelines leads to structured

documents and presentations.

Advantages of structured documents:

• Information relationships are explicit

• Easier to update

• Modular

• Easier to reuse information.Block D

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(Structured)

Presentation

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Structured

Document






Identify Information

Types


Structure Title

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Organize content by

information types



Identifying Information Types

One challenge when developing content

is to organize what at times seems as a

cloud of incoherent, complex and mixed

pieces of information.

Information can be classified in basic

categories into which all information can

be placed based on the purpose of the

information for the user.

Pro

ces

s

Pro

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ure

Str

uc

ture

Structure Title

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Process Map

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Process Map

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Process Map

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All information within a certain type has

shared characteristics and authors build

solutions around these basic elements.

Author

How to organize a

cloud of complex

information?



Information Types

Basic categories into which all

information can be placed based on the

purpose or function of the information for

the user.

Information Type Concept / Example

ProcedureSteps to accomplish a particular task.

• “What do I do?”

ProcessA description of related events that take place over time.

• “What happens?”

StructureA visual representation of an object.

• “What does it look like?”

ConceptsIdeas or abstractions that require definitions and examples.

• “What is it?”

PrincipleStatements of what should or should not be done in a given situation.

• “What should be done?”

FactsStatements of truth, usually without supporting information.

• Specifications.• Measurements.



Information Type: Procedure

A set of steps which a person performs

in order to obtain a specified outcome.

• Instructions for how to do something,

usually a set of steps.

• Numbered steps, each beginning

with an action word.

• Simple flow charts.



Procedure Maps

Identify the procedural information and

create specific maps for them. ,

How to create a RFP

Pre Requisites

Before you can create a RFP in the system make sure there is a Master Data record for the supplier.

Procedure

To create a RFP in the system;1. Enter SAP via our Intranet2. Access module “Business Processes”3. Click “create“ RFP transaction4. Enter data from RFP formVerify that there are no messages in the “error” status window.

Result

After creating the RFP the system generates a RFP number. You will need this RFP number to enter new transactions.

Map Title

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ModuleTitle

Each procedure map has at least the

following components:

• Map title

• Key block

• Supporting Blocks

A map title

Task-based and reader oriented

How to (verb) (object)

Key block:

a procedural table

Supporting block:

diagram, example, results, etc.



Procedure Maps: Examples

An example of a procedure map in a document. An implementation of a procedure map in a presentation.



Information Type: Process

A series of events or phases that takes

place over time and usually has an

identifiable purpose or result.

• Explanations of how something takes

place.



Process Maps

Identify the information that relates to

events taking place over time and create

specific maps for it.

,

How a CMS Works

Overview

Our Intranet is built around a CMS to facilitate publishing information needed to run efficiently our business in all our locations.

ProcessThe key phases relate to our CMS are:• Initial Set-Up

Installation and configuration of all software components

• Publishing Tools and gadgets available to employees to publish their work on the Intranet

• AuthorizationApproval mechanisms available.

Set-Up

Publish Authorize

Access

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Warning• Processes and procedures might be confused with each other.

• Processes are usually at a higher level than procedures.

Each process map has at least the


• Map title

• Key blocks

• Supporting Block

A map title

Stages of (noun),

How a (noun) (verb)

Key block:

Stage table – describing

what happens or

changes being made

Supporting block:

diagram



Process Maps: Examples

An example of a process map in a document. An implementation of a process map in a presentation.



Information Type: Structure

A physical object or element that can be

divided into parts and has boundaries.

Used to tell the user what something

looks like, and what it’s parts are.



Structure Maps

Identify the information that relates to a

physical object or element that can be

divided into parts and has boundaries

and create specific maps for it.

,

Parts of the Drawing Menu

Description

The process of the designing the RFP form request several of the items available on the drawing tool .

The Drawing Menu

Key elements:• Tools library

Access to pre-design geometrical elements ready to use.

• Arrange Tools to order, group and position objects.

• Quick StylesDifferent formatting styles ready to be applied to your objects.

Map Title

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ModuleTitle

Each structure map has at least the


• Map title

• Key Blocks

A map title

Components of a /the _____

Parts of a/the _____

Key block:

Diagram

Parts or parts-function table

Supporting block:

diagram



Structure Maps: Examples

An example of a Structure map in a document. An implementation of a structure map in a presentation.



Other Information Types

Facts

These consist of objective information that

has or is happening.

Some kind of organization or memory aid

(mnemonic, analogy, etc.)

Principles

These are laws, rules or a general

relationship between several concepts.

They generally have some proof behind

them, sometimes scientific, sometimes

conventional wisdom.



Other Information Types

Concepts

These are clear, logically formed ideas.

Examples where the concept is related to

something the learner/reader already knows

Other

You can design specific information maps to

support your content.

•Introduction

•Conclusion

•Your own information type maps








Structure Title

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Apply recursively previous concepts

at different levels of the document



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Mapping Documents



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The Hierarchical Principle

Module

Title

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Document

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Title

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Information Map

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Information Map

Title

Presentation

* Apply 7+-2 rule



Designing Information Design Steps

Chunk Information

Re-Group, Merge, Split

Add LabelEnhance Visuals

Build Information

Maps

Identify Information

Types


SME

SME

Following this systematic approach to information design helps you to

produce structured documents that are:

Easier to read and understand

Faster to produce

Easier to update

Re-usable in different contexts and formats.



DefineGeneral Design

CreateTest

CreateInformation

Blocks

StructureInformation

AddInstruction

DevelopTraining

Implement & Evaluate

Conclusion

25

• Adopting a research based systematic approach to design information helps

improving the quality of your documents.

• These rules, principles and step-by-step guidelines help authors analyzing, sorting

and sequencing information.

• The produces structured documents will be:

Modular

Easier to update

Consistent

Re-usable

Exportable to different technology platforms.

TECADI Training Technologies Ltd – Mar 2016. v1.0


References

This work is influenced by the work of many researchers and methodologies in

instructional design and information design fields, such as:

• Dr. Robert Horn – Structured Writing and Visual Language

• Dr. Ruth Clark – Instructional Design and Technical Training

• Dr. David Merrill – Component Display Theory




Designing training for the first time?

[email protected]

v1.0 – Mar 2016

mailto:[email protected]

tcd40: structuring information

Education