All of these publications are designed for a specific educational setting, often for smaller groups but occasionally reaching into the hundreds or thousands of attendees. These events include pre-conference workshops, board review courses, certification study sessions, leadership training sessions,and other CE related events. In some cases, training events are offered across the country using the same educational materials that are shipped directly to each event site.
- They let the trainee concentrate on and partake in the training during the training session instead of taking detailed notes.
- Trainees can use them for reviewing the subject matter after the event.
- It serves as tangible value proof for time out of the office and course expense.
Different examples include:
- Workbooks: Used for training sessions, providing basic information, examples and exercises.
- Certification Manuals: Provide support for continuing education and credits towards a special discipline.
- Course Books: Provide support for traditional class teaching or lecturing, or provide complete online and distance learning
- Reference Manuals: Contain detailed information on processes and procedures.
- Handouts: Provide general information to support training done during the session.
Seminar Manuals - Print or Digital?
Since these are typically used for on-site learning, print is most common. A lay flat binding (e.g., Coil or Saddle Stitch) is popular as it allows the book to lie flat for working and note taking. Putting manuals online (i.e., software manuals in PDF format) can significantly reduce costs and is great for full-text search, but you need to consider your audience and how they need to use the manual.
Green Manuals - Go Recycled or Go Digital
If delivering education in a green manner is part of your initiatives then use recycled materials in your books. We print books with low VOC toners. Add recycled paper containing at least 30% post consumer waste fiber and a recycled plastic coil binding element and you have a book not only made of recycled materials but one that is fully recyclable.
Reducing paper by putting manuals online or on a CD can be a good way cut printing costs, but beware that these options often fail at providing a tangible, useful on site tool.
Reducing paper by putting manuals online or on a CD can be a good way cut printing costs, but beware that these options often fail at providing a tangible, useful on site tool.
Ideas
- Personalized Materials: Variable data printing allows these types of manuals to be personalized (e.g., The Learning Workbook prepared for "John Doe"). Other data points can be merged into the inside pages for further personalization. Another way to personalize and maintain consistency is to have a die-cut window on the front cover and then customize the first page of the book to a specific event, person, session, etc. Books have the same look and feel, yet are more cost effective to produce.
- On-Demand books: Why produce a large number for books when seminar or course attendance is not known and the content may change? We suggest smaller runs from as few as one (yes, one!) book up to 50 copies depending on your needs. Sometimes instructors will provide copies for registrants or they will sell the manual online in a print on demand format... one book at a time.