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Instructor-Led Computer Training     Microsoft Windows · Microsoft Office · Word · Excel  Access · PowerPoint · Outlook  · Computer Basics  Introduction To The Internet  · Much More!

• For Corporate, Business or any size group

• Classes, workshops or individual

• Customized content  to fit your needs

• Hands-on or lecture/demonstration

• On-site or training facilities arranged for you

• Excellent courseware and/or web resources

• Custom classes available--just ask!

For more information about Instructor-Led Training (ILT),  jump to these topics:

Why Training Is Essential

List of Instructor-Led Training Classes

About Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

Training Methods

Group Training
Individual Training
On-Site Training
Hands-on Instructor-Led Training
Lecture/Demo Instructor-Led Training
Web-Based vs. Instructor-Led Training
Suggested Class Hours
Training Facilities
Projection System

Training/Consulting Rates

Training Methods

Group Training
RAA typically charges a flat rate per hour and not per student, so it is always more cost effective to train a group of two or more rather than an individual whenever possible.  We can train any size group, including several hundred people with a lecture/demonstration in a large auditorium or conference center as needed.  For lecture/demonstration training, the size of the group is determined by the facility size and type of equipment available.  For hands-on instructor-led training, the size of the group is determined by the number of workstations available in the training facility.  The ideal group size for hands-on instructor-led training is 8-10 people. 

Individual (one-on-one) Instructor-Led Training
While one-on-one instructor-led training is more expensive than attending a group class, it is a good investment when you have a specific issue to solve or you need to get started in the right direction with your software/hardware needs. We can help you figure out the best solutions for your particular tasks, and give you a strategy for how best to pursue your short-term and long-term goals.   Getting off on an ill-advised path can be very costly in the long run; getting the right professional advice from the start will certainly be well worth the investment. 

On-Site Training
RAA can provide on-site training, especially for individual training, demonstration classes, or hands-on classes where you already have a training lab or can set up equipment for training. If you need to be trained off site, we are very flexible and can arrange for training facilities as needed.

Hands-On Instructor-Led Classes
Advantages:  Hands-on instructor-led training is preferred over lecture/demonstrations when possible, especially for introductory level applications classes such as "Intro to Windows" or "Intro to Excel".  Students get to actually try out what they are learning, and they are given class files to practice with during and after class. Hands-on instructor-led training is most effective when used with a projection system so the whole class can follow what the instructor demonstrates on screen.  While ideally it's best if each student can have their own workstation, it can be equally effective when two partners share a workstation, which allows for more people to take a hands-on class with less equipment.  Having a partner also helps keep the class moving smoothly, since one person can usually help their partner when they get stuck. 

Disadvantages:  Hands-on Instructor-Led training requires more time than a lecture/demonstration class, so you may have to limit how much in-depth content is covered.  If there are some real beginners who have trouble keeping up, this can slow down the whole class. It also requires a training facility or workstations to be setup, which is added time/expense. Hands-on classes are usually limited to 8-10 students/class, so if you have a large number of people to train, this requires a larger number of classes and can be difficult to arrange and schedule around everyone's work. It's also consequently more expensive.  In some situations, hands-on training might be too difficult to setup, such as for an Outlook class where you would want to be using the company's own server and email accounts. 

Instructor-Led Lecture/Demonstrations
Advantages:  A lecture/demonstration class can be given in any classroom, conference room or auditorium to any size group from just a few to up to several hundred. This makes it much easier to arrange for on-site training for companies that don't have their own training facility.   Since RAA typically charges a flat hourly rate, it is a very cost-effective training solution.  Lecture/demonstrations can also move much more quickly and thus cover a lot more content.  They are especially effective for overview sessions and for seminars on advanced topics, and very popular for conference presentations.

Disadvantages:  For beginners, lecture/demonstrations are a less effective way to learn and retain information than hands-on training. People learn best by getting hands-on experience, particularly for introductory level content.  This is less of an issue for more experienced users.  You also have to be sure to have a working projection system (if it breaks, the class is over without a backup) as well as a room with an adequate setup, sound system and lighting for screen projection. So the quality of a lecture/demonstration can depend a great deal on the facilities and equipment.

Web-Based Vs. Instructor-Led Training
Advantages:  Web-Based hands-on training is a truly excellent alternative or supplement to instructor-led training.  It solves almost all of the problems faced by classroom training.  Students can take a "Pre-Test" to determine what areas they need to study.  Students can train anytime, anywhere there is a computer on the Internet, work at their own pace, review as much as they like, and experience a consistently excellent training methodology and comprehensive content over a period of up to a year instead of for only a day or two. Students (and an Administrator) can monitor their progress at all times, and they can Test themselves after training or whenever they wish, as often as they want.  It is also the most cost-effective training available. 

For more Web-Based Training details, see About Web-Based Training.

Disadvantages:  For students who have a great deal of difficulty doing any kind of independent work, Web-Based Training may be less effective if it is the only training provided.  However, the best way to use Web-Based Training is to combine it with an Instructor-Led class and/or with ongoing technical support where students can get one-on-one assistance and help be motivated to learn. Since a Manager or Administrator can track all student activity in Web-Based Training, they can often provide the needed motivation and personal attention to help less independent students.

Suggested Classroom Hours

Recommended number of hours for Instructor-Led Training
The number of hours you need for training depends on several factors, including how in depth you need to learn the material, whether you need hands-on training and whether it is for a group or individual.   We can customize the training to fit within your time constraints.  However,  here are some suggestions based on years of experience.  

2 Hours:  This amount of time is the minimum that would be adequate for a lecture/demonstration overview of an application or a specific topic, with 3 or 4 hours being recommended.  For example, an overview of Outlook features, a conference seminar on "Introduction to the Internet", or a workshop on "Merging Form Letters in Word".  Two hours is ok for a one-on-one needs-assessment or session on a specific issue.   It is not enough time for effective hands-on training, but can be adequate as the block of time for one part of a multi-part demonstration class ( for example two, three or four  2hr sessions). 

3 Hours:  Best for lecture/demonstrations, same as the 2 hours above but with more breathing room and time for a break, questions, and addressing individual issues. It is the minimum block adequate for an "Intro to Outlook", "Intro to Groupwise", or "Intro to PowerPoint" demonstration class.   It is the minimum block of time adequate for a hands-on session, but usually best as one part of a multi-part session (such as two 3hr sessions, or three 3hr sessions). 

4 Hours:  This is the recommended block of time for hands-on training, or when there is in-depth coverage in a lecture/demonstration format. It gives enough time to answer questions, take a 15 minute break,  and "put out fires" that can happen during any hands-on class.  It is the recommended time for an "Intro to Windows" or an "Intro to PowerPoint" class.  Typically we recommend 8 hour classes for hands-on in-depth applications training (such as Intro to Word or Excel, Advanced Excel), broken up into two 4-hour sessions.

6 Hours:  This is the minimum amount of time adequate for an in-depth hands-on applications class such as Intro to Word or Intro to Excel. Typically it would be split into two 3-hour sessions, either morning/afternoon, or a few days or a week apart. For in-depth classes, 8 hours is recommended.

8 Hours:  This is the recommended amount of time for an in-depth hands-on applications class such as Intro to Word or Excel.  It is usually split into two 4-hour blocks, taught either in one day, or a couple days or a week apart. It allows for more questions, individual time, and inclusion of intermediate/advanced topics as dictated by the needs/level of the attendees.

Training Facilities

Training Facilities
If you don't already have access to a training facility, we can arrange that for you, or help you design and set up your own.   Depending on how many people you want to give hands-on training to, you might be able to set up 2 to 6 of your own workstations in a conference room, and then have two people share a workstation (sharing a workstation need not be a disadvantage--partners can help each other out). 

RAA has access to several training facilities in the Eugene/Springfield area, and can arrange for facilities at any other location in Oregon or out of state.  There are some inexpensive training labs that can be rented from the community college (availability becomes the issue), and still others for quite a bit more.  If you are from a department at a university or college, you almost certainly would be given access (at no or little cost) to a training facility on campus, and frequently K-12 and Higher Ed institutions will rent facilities to the public as well.

Projection System
RAA strongly recommends using a projection system for both hands-on and/or lecture/demonstration classes. Many training facilities already have them installed.  The projector can be effective in either a small or large room; it's easiest if there is a large blank wall to project onto, although a stand-alone screen will work fine depending on the size of the group.  If you don't have your own projector, they can be rented typically for between $200-400/day depending on the type of projector needed.

RAA Training/Consulting Rates
RAA charges a flat hourly rate for all services at competitive pricing.  We can also provide discounted bids for larger contracts.  Training for classes and groups are charged by the hour, not by the number of students attending.  Contact RAA for specific rate information or to receive a quote.

Additional Expenses may include: