In praise of the fifteen minute tutorial

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Clive Shepherd argues in this (short) article for short, easily accessible nuggets of information being available from workplace intranets. In his conclusion he writes: "Short tutorials suit everybody. They suit trainers because they are really quick to produce and don't need gimmicks to keep the learner's attention. What they do need are simple explanations of key principles, plenty of relevant examples, appropriate illustrations and regular, meaningful opportunities for interaction. They should not attempt to teach detail, because that can be accommodated by linking to in-depth documents for those who need them. They can be distributed for next to nothing, because they are unlikely to require much in the way of human support. They also suit learners because they can be delivered at the desktop, alongside all the interruptions, and don't require a trip to the learning centre. They are also much more likely to be digestible and easily applicable to real work situations.
Most trainers are capable of producing usable fifteen-minute tutorials. Some may need help with the writing, with developing interactions or with graphics, but that help is likely to be available somewhere in the training department. These skills can also be learned - perhaps even with fifteen-minute tutorials, you never know."