Tutorials

Tutorials show how to do something. They are the "how to do" for Tasks, the "why" for Topics, and all the stopping places on a Tour.

A Tutorial is a set of explanations covering:

• the relationships of Topics, one to another
• the relationships of Topics to Tasks
• the grouping of Tasks into procedures and jobs
• the significance, importance, and "why" of the subject area

Tutorials are instructional by design, and varied by necessity. Their components draw devices such as:

• Sequenced lists of tasks (which are themselves sequenced lists)
• Examples
• Exercises
• Practice activities
• Role-playing
• Model-building
• Diagraming
• Feedback and verification (tests and quizzes)

The common objectives of Tutorials are to:

• Instill a skillset in the student to cover the jobs required by the subject area
• Provide accurate information, dispelling mistaken beliefs and concepts
• Proceed in an orderly fashion, building from one Topic or Task to the next
• Make efficient use of the students' time and energies
• Adaptively address the students' learning strengths and deficiencies

Tutorials are the backbone of the educational and training industries. They should be challenging and interesting for students to use, but easy and natural for instructors to produce. Too often, it's the other way around.