Compares and contrasts the current development of needs analysis and needs assessment through a review of the literature, and offers recommendations designed to restore systems thinking to front-end analysis in organizational and instructional development. The roles of needs assessment and needs analysis in a performance technology model are…

Discusses five propositions that support a rationale for increased understanding and use of qualitative methods by performance technologists: there has been a paradigm shift across the social sciences, and qualitative methods make common sense, increase flexibility, lead to increased confidence in results, and are good for professional…

Discusses the development of hypertext and describes hypertext systems currently available for microcomputers. The use of hypertext in instructional materials and in job aids is discussed, an example of a system designed for self-management tasks is given, and the need to focus on human performance improvement is emphasized. (14 references) (LRW)

Provides a summary of research on the benefits and uses of subject-matter-related humor in instructional materials, and cites comments of five experts on how to use humor in the design of instruction. Thirteen references are listed. (MER)

This discussion of formative evaluation as part of the instructional design process focuses on developmental testing and expert review. A review of the literature helps define each approach, research on formative evaluation is reviewed, and 37 references are provided. (LRW)

Discussion of adult learning and education highlights three main issues: foundations, licensure (i.e., certification), and design. Topics discussed include educational theory related to adult learning; the need for additional research in the field of adult education; benefits of certification; instructional design; and the future of adult…

Discusses orientation of present educational and training systems toward preparing individuals for specific jobs; outlines disadvantages of this approach relative to current employment trends; and describes an alternative training approach, the assembly model, which identifies similarities among jobs so that skills learned in one field can be…