Traditionally, learning is provided in a unidirectional manner from instructor to learner. This practice can be limiting to all individuals involved in the learning process. To develop quality instructional materials, the learning team can participate in instructional design and development (ID) as partners. This article discusses a proposed…

Instructional designers are at the forefront of many interactions both within an organization and client-facing. They are responsible for providing noteworthy learning experiences and ensuring the success of instructional programs. However, are instructional designers at a disadvantage because of a lack of interpersonal and building-relationships…

The instructional designer faces the dual task of driving the instructional design process while managing a positive relationship with the subject matter expert. It is this latter task of relationship management that is often overlooked in practice and research in the field of human performance technology. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.)

Most organizations focus on one-off training solutions to address a single workplace learning need at a single time rather than integrating learning and nonlearning interventions to help staff develop increasingly complex levels of expertise specific to their jobs. Curriculum is a long-term, integrated approach to training in which workers take…

An evidence-based practice (EBP) model is proposed to replace the more-art-than-science "rope bridge" currently spanning the defining space of a training need and the designing space of a training curriculum. The rope bridge analogy symbolizes a way to address perceived deficiencies and research gaps in the…

This article discusses three perceived challenges in the field of human performance technology: a missing link from training to performance, limitations in gap analysis and cause analysis, and a lack of attention to business and organization performance. It then provides possible alternatives for each issue, such as instructional system…

Those involved in training know that creating instructional materials can become a tedious, repetitive process. They also know that business conditions often require training interventions to be delivered in ways that are not ideally structured or timed. This article examines the notion that learning objects can be reused and adapted for…

Examines instructional systems design in light of training and performance technology. Topics include the nature of design; categories of stakeholders; three levels of instructional systems design, including Curriculum Architecture Design, instructional process design, and user interface/instructional activity design; and design goals. (LRW)

Describes a systematic approach for the design of training that supports large software implementation projects. Addresses the diverse combination of users, with different needs and time requirements, and outlines how a systematic design approach can be applied to the design and delivery of complex training solutions related to performance…

Presents aspects of the traditional ISD (Instructional Systems Design) process that may change when moving a learning object strategy. Compares a traditional ISD process to a process that has been customized to fit the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning objects, regardless of how they are used as a performance…

Discusses problem solving and why employees need to be trained and educated to solve problems. Highlights include domain knowledge and its role in problem solving; instructional design issues; types of problems; discrete problems versus metaproblems; and the need to prescribe instructional design processes for each type of problem. (LRW)

Describes two decisions in the development of effective blended instruction: selecting the instructional approach and selecting the development approach. Examines a successful training design and development case at a military continuing education college and analyzes it as an application of a blended onsite-online approach to human performance…

Discusses the evaluation component of instructional design, suggests a performance technology approach to improve evaluation, and describes the Rummler-Brache Organizational Alignment Model that provides guidelines for systematically identifying the key variables when reorganizing training toward more appropriate evaluation. (LRW)

Examines the critical components of effective "practice" in the fields of instructional technology and human performance technology, as well as barriers to successful practice. Describes how to cope with these obstacles and ensure inclusion of relevant practice in instructional programs. Concludes with a true story that illustrates how…

Describes a systematic approach to selecting instructional designs, discussing performance analysis, gaps, elements (inputs, conditions, process, outputs, consequences, feedback), matrices, changes in performance state (establishing, improving, maintaining, and extinguishing performance), intervention interference, and involving others in…