How to gain some skills - the hard way!
Let’s call them hard skills…for now.
In my previous newsletter I mentioned some soft skills I found to be vital as a learning designer.
This is a continuation of that discussion, but now I want to focus the attention on “hard skills” or “technical skills”.
And in this edition of, "The Saturday Designers Club", I'd like to discuss what I have learned about these hard skills and how I developed them.
I look at some definitions, as always, and provide an example of how I have used them in the workplace. Once again, this is a topic we will explore in more detail in future newsletters.
What are hard skills?
"Hard skills are specific abilities, capabilities, and skill sets that an individual can possess and demonstrate in a measured way. Hard skills are learnable skills that enable individuals to perform job-specific tasks, or that may be required for a specific job”.
If you recall, I spoke about Chris Evert and using the term “intangibles”, in referencing soft skills. Hard skills are the “tangibles”, you can see, measure, and rate them.
As an example, a tennis player would hit a forehand, and you can rate the skill based on technique, velocity, and even racket grip. And if you watch tennis, you know they have stats on all of those.
So, the hard skills are those things you use in your job daily and can be measured.
You got skills! (Part 2)
Here are some hard skills I have found to be crucial within learning and development, but more specifically to learning design.
Design Tools
Google Suite/Microsoft
Adult learning theories/Design models
LMS
Data Analysis
Design Tools
Design tools for an LXD/ID, is what a plunger is like to a plumber, you can’t get shit done without it. I am well aware of the crude double entendre…but I thought it was a good way to highlight how vital these tools are.
In a previous edition of newsletter, I introduced the topic of design tools, and we will go into a lot more detail soon. However, for now, please do know that these tools will form part of your hard skills armour.
*I wanted to say toolbelt, but felt I was using the word tool too much (HAHAHA).
Google Suite/Microsoft
I must admit, I have not used Microsoft Office in a long time, but I weave and bob into it from time to time. If your organisation uses Microsoft, it would be advantageous to learn how to use it. PowerPoint is a great and powerful tool - I think folks underestimate its strength.
I know that I don’t use PowerPoint to its maximum capacity, even though I’m an advanced user.
I do however use Google Slides and sheets daily, I would recommend familiarising yourself with this. It comes in handy for everyday communication, sharing your work, and organisation.
Another great hard skill to have!
Adult learning theories/Design models
I covered some learning theories and design models in previous issues of The Saturday Designers Club, although only as an introduction. If you have been following me for a bit, you would know that I will delve deeper into these topics as time goes by.
However, I would like to emphasize the importance of knowing these models and theories. They help shape and form the learning solutions you create, and could have a great impact on your learner or end user.
I strongly recommend knowing these theories, and if you have the opportunity, put them into practice.
LMS
A learning management system, often referred to as to as LMS, is a vital tool within L&D, and that of a designer.
The LMS is the place to house all the learning you create, but also, a very important component is being able to draw or pull reports. The data that one gets from the LMS and surveys can help improve the learning solution.
This leads me right into the next skill….
Data Analysis
Being able to analyse data is crucial. And more importantly, telling the story with that data. L&D is something hard to show actual ROI. Meaning, I can’t always show exact numbers. And therefore being able to not only analyse the data, but tell a compelling story with it is important.
I’ve recently, over the last 3 years, become so excited about data, and used my analytical skills to interpret the data, and create a dashboard to represent it. It is my second dashboard, and I am proud.
Again! For those in the back! Data Analysis - A vital hard skill in my opinion.
The things above the surface
These are the “tangibles” aka hard/technical skills that I have found most useful in my work as a learning designer and L&D in general.
I use them daily, and the more I use them, the better I get. I’ve also come to realise that hard skills are something you can learn, and should not be afraid of it.
I didn’t know how to use Google Sheets at some point in my career, and look at me now, building dashboards. It’s incredible what you can do once you have put your mind to it, and acquired the skill.
Well, that was simply an introduction to some of the hard skills.
In the following newsletter articles, I will talk about these more. Look out for the next edition of The Saturday’s Designers Club
See you next Saturday
References:
TechTarget. (n.d.). Hard skills. Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/hard-skills
