Tom Archer turned a plodding two-day training in one of his company's computer systems into what he calls "a one-day smash." After demonstrating the system, he had the learners draw a floor plan of a one-floor house with each room representing on of the major screens. Then they decorated each room with "furniture" representing the various functions covered by each screen. Then partners taught each other using the system's procedure manual. Next, each participant demonstrated various aspects of the system in front of the class. Tom says, "Not only did they master the system in half the normal time, but they learned it more thoroughly than if I had done all the teaching."

Dave Meier