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Knowing Your Audience
Knowing Your Audience (Verlane Edwards, March 2002)
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<h1><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><font size="4" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Knowing
Your Audience</font></font></h1>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><i>by Verlane
Edwards </i></font></p>
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<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">In the February 2002
issue of <i>Iowa Alumni Magazine, </i>readers are introduced to "A Patient
Kind of Guy"—a $250,000 computer-controlled mannequin future anesthesiologists
at the University of Iowa medical facility use to practice their skills.
The MedSim mannequin is quite a technological marvel—and remarkably
realistic. The chest rises and falls with each simulated breath. Under
those "puppet-like eyelids, the pupils dilate and contract." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">I couldn't help but
be impressed that "the mannequin is programmed to simulate the symptoms
of 25 different patients in about 40 scenarios." According to the article,
"whatever role is assigned, the simulator reacts with eerie realism."
</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Wouldn't an "every
person" mannequin we could interview as needed be handy to have around
for technical communicators? This Communication Adam/Eve could make THE
prime directive of effective communication (to <i>know</i> your audience)
so much easier to follow. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Not too likely, I
know. Nevertheless, we can take from this high-tech simulator as least
three core reminders about developing an effective training environment:</font></p>
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<td width="5%" align="left" valign="top" height="178"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">1.</font></td>
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<h1> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><b>The experiences
must be realistic ones.</b></font></h1>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Have you made
every effort to analyze who the audience is and how they will be
using the information you are preparing? "Knowing" your audience
means understanding who they are and anticipating how they will
react to the information you're presenting in order to develop an
authentic learning environment. Authenticity is a key component
for adult learners. How authentic/realistic can the training experience
be if you don't thoroughly understand who your participants are
and what they need to do? </font></p>
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<td width="5%" align="left" valign="top" height="149"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">2.</font></td>
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<h1><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Hands-on practice
in learning is critical. </font></h1>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">As you write
procedures or prepare information for conceptual topics, such as
lessons in leadership, have you included scenarios that give learners
the opportunity to practice what they're learning in a safe environment?
Conceptual information is fine, but practical application opportunities
will reinforce the new information in meaningful ways that will
aid retention.</font></p>
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<td width="5%" align="left" valign="top" height="179"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">3.</font></td>
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<h1><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Learners need
feedback to help them discover where they are in the learning process
and to evaluate their progress.</font></h1>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Some educators
argue that we learn best by making mistakes, but your participants
may need some guidance in identifying what they are doing wrong—and
right. While students are working with the MedSim, video cameras
record their every move, so that they can analyze their performance.
Even if you can't videotape, what can you do to provide an environment
for helpful, nonjudgmental feedback and positive reinforcement?
</font> </p>
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<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">If we can meet those
three minimum requirements, even without a technological wonder there
to assist us, we can make a difference in improving the quality of the
training experiences we offer. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><i>Verlane is a doctoral
student in education, with an emphasis in adult learning, at Drake University
and an internet analyst for GuideOne Insurance in West Des Moines, Iowa.
</i> </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><b><i>Note:</i></b><i>
To learn more about the benefits of simulations, see the Brandon Hall
site at <a href="http://www.brandonhall.com/public/dispatch/dispatch15Feb02.htm#2%20" target="_blank">http://www.brandonhall.com/public/dispatch/dispatch15Feb02.htm#2
</a></i></font></p>
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