BarTender Label Software Training

There are plenty of videos showing you how to work BarTender label design software, but how can you make your learning most effective? What are the hallmarks of an effective BarTender software training course?

BarTender is a powerful suite of label design software developed in 1996 by Seattle based Seagull Scientific. Seagull Scientific have built BarTender into a versatile, easy to use tool for printing labels, ID cards and general documents.

Hidden below the surface however, BarTender has hundreds of useful features to automate the printing and production of any kind of document, generate barcodes from different sources, create libraries of documents accessible by thousands of people – the list goes on.

But having such power is worthless unless you know how to use it.

Why bother with a BarTender training course?

The first obvious reason is so you can use the software. Training enables you to use the many features of the software and helps you create labels more efficiently. The second, almost bi-product of a well structured and easy-to-use course, is introducing you to features you might not ordinarily have seen. Once you see what BarTender is capable of, you can make label and document printing faster and more efficient. BarTender can transform your operations.

Organisations might not know what they need but when staff have a wide understanding of the tools at their disposal opportunities can be seized upon.

What to look for in your BarTender software training course

For a training program to get the best results it needs to:

Start from the obvious and move on to more difficult concepts.
Have easy to use reference materials you can use to remind yourself later
Have practical exercises to put into practice the theories you’ve learned
Have an opportunity to revisit what you’ve learned so you practice the power of recall.
Have somewhere you can get answers to questions not found in the training material

Keeping Accountability

Everyone wants to think they’ll work tirelessly towards the company’s goals – reality is somewhat different. With millions of cat videos to watch – who has the time to study label design software? Accountability helps keep you on the straight and narrow. With gentle follow ups to see where you are with your training reminds you to commit another 15 minutes this week to learning more.

The 70-20-10 Model of learning

The 70-20-10 Model of learning says that 70% of learning comes from personal experience, 20% comes from peer learning and just 10% comes from courses and instruction. This is reflected in modern teaching theory which encourages students to do rather than listen or watch.

Learning theories change every few years – but the one constant in human learning is the role of experience. Confucius said: “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

70% Experience

With complicated and comprehensive software like BarTender it’s very easy to get lost working through the many functions found in the program. Guided experience that takes you from the easy to the difficult progressively means that students won’t give up or become overwhelmed. Tailoring the training to the users actual job or the organisation’s labelling requirements makes the experience part of the model more relevant and meaningful. It also improves motivation with students seeing a clear benefit to how they do their job.

20% Peer Learning

In today’s internet world, in-person groups are few and far between. Online groups and forums can’t be beaten for convenience. Post up your questions and experiences from your desktop or mobile. We use a Tapatalk group forum to share BarTender label design experience. Ask questions and get answers from fellow students or our expert moderators.

10% Instruction and training courses

Passively sitting watching a slideshow offers limited benefit and probably explains why the 70-20-10 learning model places such a low value on instruction and courses. We agree that passive learning is not effective and make learning as active as possible.

So how can we apply this model to make your BarTender learning effective?

Expert Label’s BarTender Training Program

Reference – in video form and written,
Ongoing expert support – just an email away,
Active learning – learn by doing – working systematically through a workbook making your own notes, following the video guidance.
Short bite sized video tutorials
Regular summary of learning,
Expert knowledge of subject matter,
Online quizzes to embed learning and to provide immediate feedback.