Users of technology generally need to be trained. The level of training needed will depend on the complexity of the technology and the degree of interaction the user will have with it. Levels of training can range from university degrees to day-long courses to intuitive interfaces.
Ideally, for the general user, technology will be easy to use and the amount of training needed will be minimal. This is particularly important where the technology will be used by large numbers of users who will have only a brief encounter with it. For example, an electronic voting system used by voters should be simple enough for the complete novice to use without the need for any external training. Similarly, any technology operated by large numbers of casual polling staff should be easy to use with minimal training.
At the other end of the spectrum, staff and contractors who are involved in systems design, development and maintenance often need to be highly skilled, and therefore highly trained. Such high level training could take the form of university degrees, extensive hands-on experience or intensive coursework, and often a mix of all three.
In between these two extremes usually fall the majority of full-time or long term electoral officials, those who perform clerical, administrative, operational, supervisory and policy work. These staff members often use technology in their daily work, but in their case technology is a tool to complete a task, rather than a task in itself. Training needs in these cases will depend on the complexity of the technology being used. For those staff using word processors, spreadsheets and other office automation software tools, formal training can help significantly to increase productivity and to extend the range of tasks that can be undertaken by 'non-technical' staff.
For further details on issues related to training and technology, see:
