Examines certain common professional characteristics that unite instructional developers across a variety of settings, and addresses the question as to whether a strong case can be made for providing developers with a common approach to their training. (Author/MER)

Presents a situation by response model that enables trainers to organize and simplify the planning, training, and application of making appropriate response choices. The discussion covers the possible uses of the model and the necessary steps involved in the creation of the model. (CLB)

Describes and discusses results of a survey of members of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) that was conducted to determine how employees learn informally when neither on-the-job or off-the-job training is provided. Implications for performance technologists are considered, and future issues for investigation are suggested.…

Discusses how performance technologists, or trainers, can provide more impact in reducing field performance deficiencies by gathering feedback from the field regarding training matters. A feedback generator is described that is expressed in terms of an algorithm and helps point to solutions to improve productivity. (LRW)

Describes an adaptation of the Component Display Theory to a corporate training setting where the principal developmental effort was done by content experts. An overview of the Component Display Theory is included with a case study illustrating the application process. Examples of the resultant training products are included. (MBR)

Discusses difficulty of translating ambiguous affective statements into effective instructional materials and limitations of Mager's process of goal analysis. A comprehensive procedure is then proposed which takes an affective statement from an undefined state, to subcategories of performance, to a hierarchy of performance objectives. A two-year…

This discussion of methods of selecting and training present and future staff in business and industry emphasizes importance of the incorporation of senior management's goals and objectives into the process. An example of a Functional Skills Rating Form for use in interviewing is included. (LRW)

This discussion of how to design a training program to teach professional judgment and performance focuses on a model for training police officers. Open job skills are explained, appropriate choices and actions are described, and the components and objectives of open job skill instruction are presented. (LRW)

Discusses the need to develop ways of measuring the cost effectiveness of investment in employee training. Examples of employees with various training needs and their possible impact on the organization are presented, the replacement of humans with machine intelligence is discussed, and the application of performance technology is suggested. (LRW)

Describes how trainers can promote trainee flexibility and increase the effectiveness of their instruction by using skill related, principle based rules. Highlights include skill performance variables; analyzing skills to derive principles; converting principles into rules; and how to integrate principle based rules into skill instruction. (LRW)

Describes instructional development process applied to the design, production, implementation, and evaluation of a computer simulation designed to provide troubleshooting practice for individuals who maintain and install large digital telephone switches. The major organizational benefits resulting from use of the simulation are discussed. (MBR)

Describes the systematic design and implementation of a training program aimed at improving the performance of retail salespeople in the Canadian carpet industry. It was found that, although the program was originally developed to improve the salespeople's knowledge and skills, it was changes in their attitudes that promoted the significant gains…

Presents a decision model for selecting interactive media formats to solve human performance problems in organizations. Training problems and motivational problems are discussed, change strategies and assessment of values and aptitudes are described, and case studies that apply the decision model are included. (LRW)

Elementary performance tests and situational or simulation tests may be combined for comprehensive testing of open skills, i.e., a worker's competency in reacting to unpredictable situations. Elementary performance tests capture the professional skills whereas simulation tests retain realism and complexity and allow variation in responses.…

Three models have been developed to provide a framework for describing range of delivery technologies available that are consistent with missions of training organizations. Performance support model presents a strategy for applying solutions to performance problems; knowledge transfer model depicts combinations of communication media; and…