Learning to use a cell phone....

People do not take lessons to use a cell phone. Last time I was in Thailand the cell phone use was amazing. We were in an area, where many of Jit's relatives live, with very poor roads. People were using cell phones to arrange transportation and to make plans. Nobody took lessons, they just used the tools and adapted new ways to apply the tools. Very few people take lessons to learn to drive, they pick up the skill, or at least drive, maybe with limited skill. Maybe at certain levels computer use is the same way? Using email, searching, browsing, getting information, might not need training, just motivation and inspiration. Maybe the role of training is just to be a catalyst to start the using process. Maybe having an in depth computer user to watch, infects or inspires other users with the capability. As I explore I need to watch what is happening and not just watch for what I want to see. Last time I was in Thailand cell phones were everywhere, people at all economic levels and in all situations were using cell phones, the advantage of using cell phones was so clear that it had become a necessity.

Lessons can be like stairs or a ladder, they can allow you to go higher, but they might not be necessary for technology to be useful and valuable. Ladders help people who want to climb.

Instead of lessons, or classes, or instructions, maybe creating showcases of dynamic users is a more effective method to get people to adopt technology. If people see technology being useful they will adopt technology. Once people start climbing they can use lessons, but the motivation and the inspiration must precede the lessons. Like driving though, some people can function well without ever taking lessons.

These are not conclusions, just thoughts and questions for observation.