Design of Learner-centered Tools for Continuous Training in SMEs

Multimedia and networked educational tools may provide an effective answer to the training needs of small‐medium enterprises (SMEs). In accordance with this idea, we are developing a project called Qualification 2000 supported by the E.C.'s Adapt initiative. The project focuses on the use of educational technology for continuous training in informatics and its applications in office automation. The target is women employed in small‐medium enterprises. The attitude of the target towards innovation makes the design of effective tools a particularly delicate problem; thus, careful design of the interface is particularly important to make these kinds of tools productive. With these ideas in mind, we carried out a series of interviews with employees, aimed at deriving a core of common needs and difficulties. The results of the interviews have been used to build a learner‐centred interface based on experimental pedagogical assumptions