The intent of this article is to offer guidance based on experience and evidence that can enable organizations to be more effective in preparing their workforce. The authors believe organizations need a new vision, a new way to conceptualize the role of HRD (Human Resource Development) that functions within the organization, responsible for the…

This article is an analysis of "Performance Improvement Quarterly" (PIQ) for the years 2001-2010. The intent was to examine the article types used, the authors who contributed the most to the journal, the topics the journal most commonly focused on, and the citation frequency of the journal's articles. The analysis revealed that…

This article seeks to reflect, summarize, and present preexisting understandings from multiple interrelated realms of theory and practice--including diffusion of innovations, needs assessment, change management, systemic change, performance improvement, and what might be described as "socio-culturally cognizant" educational technology--in order to…

Examines popular approaches to performance and organizational improvement to see what flaws they contain and how continued practice will impede progress. Discusses benchmarking; quality management/continuous improvement; needs assessment; training; downsizing; reengineering; system(s) approach; and strategic planning. Describes the Organizational…

A discussion of instructional systems characterized by a set of learner objectives or competencies in which three processes bring about individualization: assessment, diagnosis and prescription. (Author/HB)

A look at performance based instruction, using programed instruction, as a change agent for education. (HB)

The strongly positivist beliefs on which traditional conceptions of instructional design (ID) are based derive from Aristotelian logic and oversimplify the world, reducing human learning and performance to a repertoire of manipulable behaviors. Reviews the cases against deterministic predictability and discusses hermeneutic, fuzzy logic, and chaos…

A discussion of accountability of teacher performance using domain-referenced tests. (HB)

Describes two studies designed to identify and validate principles of effective microcomputer manual design. In the first, instructional science students rated design principles of four computer manuals using a computer manual checklist; in the second, instructional effectiveness of these design principles was tested by comparing microcomputer…

Examines the gap between instructional development (ID) theory and practice and proposes a conceptual framework to describe how expert ID practitioners work in the corporate world. The framework consists of cultural context, situation analysis and synthesis, client and other stakeholders, performance capacities, and competitive advantages. (PEN)

This analysis of the evaluation literature on interactive video describes nature of the evaluations, reviews information on the effectiveness of interactive video, and discusses what the evaluations offer for improvement of interactive video design and use. Implications of these evaluations for the conduct of future studies are noted. (MBR)

Describes an initiative at the University of Missouri-Columbia to design and implement a technology infrastructure and associated enterprises in a college of education. Outlines technology priorities (improve teaching, develop new media, create learning environments, increase information exchange); presents technology, facility, organizational,…

The evaluator is an instructional system product that provides practice, testing capability, and feedback in a way not yet seen in computer-assisted instruction. Training methods using an evaluator contain scenario-based simulation exercises, followed by a critique of performance. A focus on competency-based education and performance makes the…