Will's Video: Job Aids -- Not Just Child's Play

Video Overview:

The following video provides an entertaining and, I hope, enlightening look at the humble job aid.

Featuring:

• This is only the second video that I shot and edited. See how I did.
    
• Allison Rossett, co-author of the book, Job Aids and Performance Support (with Lisa Schafer) is interviewed.
    
• Worldwide public introduction to incredible new talent, the incomparable Alena.
    
• Brewer the dog has cameo role.
    

Video Notes:

Because of YouTube size restrictions, it is divided into 2 parts.

Enjoy in HD (if your computer can handle it) by:

1. Starting the Video
2. Clicking on HD at Lower Right, AND
3. Clicking on the full-screen display (the box in a box) at Lower Right
4. IF the audio doesn't track, your computer can't handle HD.

Part 1

Part 2

Purchasing (or learning more about) Allison's Book:

Comments

[John]

Dr. Thalheimer. . .very interesting and a great way for us to understand job aids in the work place and at home. As an Operations Manager - I use defined expectations to describe to my employees what I expect of them and how I expect them to do the task at hand. Adding job aides in the appropriate locations will allow them to consistently exceed my expectations. Thanks! JT

[bill coscarelli]

Will,

Relax!

Channel your inner David Pogue next time!

Bill

[Will Thalheimer]

Bill my friend, thanks for the advice.

I'm going to review David Pogue's videos to learn from them. I'll also show the hottest gadgets... maybe that'll work.

Unfortunately, I can't play the piano like David Pogue can, or sing. Hmmmm. Still, I'll bet my kid's cuter than his kid.

WINK.

[Will Findlay]

My two-year-old Allison and I enjoyed the videos. I now realize my wife applies instructional design much more effectively at home than I do. When I am left in charge to get the kids to school she makes sure to write out a schedule of all the events that I need to initiate (lunch making, paper signing, breakfast feeding) to make sure the kids make it on the bus ready for the day. She posts this on the fridge, and I definitely use it!

[Will Thalheimer]

Will (Findlay),

Love your story. I've actually begun to see lots of overlap between home and work.

For example, I can either tell my daughter that she forgot to feed the dog or ask her what she might have forgotten to do. Asking her is more likely to encourage her to self-monitor, which is exactly what we want her to do. It's the same with managers. Some just micromanage and tell their direct reports when they've made mistakes. That's fine in some situations (especially when direct reports are new or learning something new), but not in most situations. Managers are better off prompting their employees to self-monitor. Much easier. Much more productive. Etc.

[Bill Ellet]

Now I understand what job aids actually are. I can definitely use them at home for my 9-year-old, and the contextual point is a really good one. I hope to see more in this series. I know for a fact, though, that your dog cannot be contained by a job aid. He can barely be contained by a leash!

[Joan Phaup]

Hey, my kids could have done with some job aids like that! Too bad they missed out! ... but there's always the cat! She could certainly do with some good job aids!!

Thanks for teaching about job aids while making me laugh.

[Michael Lowenthal]

Will, when you created the job aid did you consult the performer, your daughter? I think designers often create job aids based on what they think performmers need to be helped with and miss the parts that are most important.

[Spelling Games]

My two-year-old Allison and I enjoyed the videos. I now realize my wife applies instructional design much more effectively at home than I do. When I am left in charge to get the kids to school she makes sure to write out a schedule of all the events that I need to initiate (lunch making, paper signing, breakfast feeding) to make sure the kids make it on the bus ready for the day. She posts this on the fridge, and I definitely use it!

[Cross Country Home Services]

Will Thalheimer is becoming one of my favorite instructional designers. He and Allison Rossett provide us with two short videos on why and how to use job aids.

[crowd SPRING]

Well The Adding job aides in the appropriate locations will allow them to consistently exceed my expectations.

[iPhone Spare Parts]

That's fine in some situations (especially when direct reports are new or learning something new), but not in most situations..

[Amy McCraken]

You have done a great job! its fine that it is in two parts! no issues! The following video actually provides an entertaining....thanks.

[wedding photographer]

Will Thalheimer is becoming one of my favorite instructional designers. He and Allison Rossett provide us with two short videos on why and how to use job aids.Great

[World Financial Group Reviews]

This post is very well written...Because of YouTube size restrictions, video is divided into 2 parts....its really just fine..thanks for sharing such wonderful piece of work..

[Marc by Marc Jacobs Handbag]

for his many years in leading the workplace learning