Barbara L. Grabowski

The book identifies a set of validated competencies and performance statements, withsupporting explanation and data to inform and equip online learners with the critical attitudes, knowledge and skills for successful learning in online and/or blended learning settings. The work also enables online education providers (e.g., instructors, course designers, program administrators, scholars) to better understand learner needs in order to design and deliver online education products and services best suited to learners. Supplementing a large number of anecdotally-based “how to” books published for those engaged in online education, this volume offers a definitive set of 14 competencies and 75 performance statements (that demonstrate those competencies). Validated by systematic research and input from over 1,000 online users and providers worldwide, this work should impact the quality of learning and teaching at both the individual and organizational levels, involved in online education.

The book identifies a set of validated competencies and performance statements, withsupporting explanation and data to inform and equip online learners with the critical attitudes, knowledge and skills for successful learning in online and/or blended learning settings. The work also enables online education providers (e.g., instructors, course designers, program administrators, scholars) to better understand learner needs in order to design and deliver online education products and services best suited to learners. Supplementing a large number of anecdotally-based “how to” books published for those engaged in online education, this volume offers a definitive set of 14 competencies and 75 performance statements (that demonstrate those competencies). Validated by systematic research and input from over 1,000 online users and providers worldwide, this work should impact the quality of learning and teaching at both the individual and organizational levels, involved in online education.

This edition is not just a rehash of old, albeit classic and still important, stuff. Instead, it provides a fresh perspective on a topic of perennial interest for those working in the field that has been variously called training and development, human resource development, performance technology, and workplace learning and performance. The fresh perspective takes into consideration two additional instructor settings to the traditional face-to-face environments that most instructors and trainers know -- that is, online and blended settings. These settings are, of course, becoming more critical as instruction moves beyond classroom settings to include virtual and combinations of classroom and other media delivery methods.The ibstpi instructor competencies match up well to Mapping the Future (Bernthal, Colteryahn, Davis, Naughton, Rothwell, & Wellins 2004), the current ASTD competency study of the field now known as Workplace Learning and Performance (WLP) and previously known as Training and Development (T&D). WLP is more than a new name for an old subject and represents a fundamental paradigm shift in what it means to be a professional in the field formerly known as training. WLP is all about getting improved performance -- and therefore improved results -- in organizational settings through planned and unplanned learning interventions. Instruction is thus a means to an end and not an end in itself. The ibstpi instructor competencies dovetail well with that philosophy.

This edition is not just a rehash of old, albeit classic and still important, stuff. Instead, it provides a fresh perspective on a topic of perennial interest for those working in the field that has been variously called training and development, human resource development, performance technology, and workplace learning and performance. The fresh perspective takes into consideration two additional instructor settings to the traditional face-to-face environments that most instructors and trainers know -- that is, online and blended settings. These settings are, of course, becoming more critical as instruction moves beyond classroom settings to include virtual and combinations of classroom and other media delivery methods.The ibstpi instructor competencies match up well to Mapping the Future (Bernthal, Colteryahn, Davis, Naughton, Rothwell, & Wellins 2004), the current ASTD competency study of the field now known as Workplace Learning and Performance (WLP) and previously known as Training and Development (T&D). WLP is more than a new name for an old subject and represents a fundamental paradigm shift in what it means to be a professional in the field formerly known as training. WLP is all about getting improved performance -- and therefore improved results -- in organizational settings through planned and unplanned learning interventions. Instruction is thus a means to an end and not an end in itself. The ibstpi instructor competencies dovetail well with that philosophy.

Written for teachers, trainers, and instructional designers -- anyone who is responsible for designing or preparing instruction -- this book begins with one basic premise: individual differences mediate learning at all levels and in all situations. That is, some learners find it easier or more difficult to learn some skills or to learn from certain forms of instruction because they vary in terms of aptitude, cognitive styles, personality, or learning styles. This volume describes most of the major differences in a readable and accessible way and demonstrates how to design various forms of instruction and predict the ease with which learners will acquire different skills. Most books that discuss any learner differences focus on those that characterize special education populations, whereas this book focuses on normal learners. Designed as a handbook, this volume is structured to provide easy and consistent access to information and answers, and prescriptions and hypotheses. When definitive answers are not possible because there is no research documentation, the authors suggest theories designed to stimulate future research.

Written for teachers, trainers, and instructional designers -- anyone who is responsible for designing or preparing instruction -- this book begins with one basic premise: individual differences mediate learning at all levels and in all situations. That is, some learners find it easier or more difficult to learn some skills or to learn from certain forms of instruction because they vary in terms of aptitude, cognitive styles, personality, or learning styles. This volume describes most of the major differences in a readable and accessible way and demonstrates how to design various forms of instruction and predict the ease with which learners will acquire different skills. Most books that discuss any learner differences focus on those that characterize special education populations, whereas this book focuses on normal learners. Designed as a handbook, this volume is structured to provide easy and consistent access to information and answers, and prescriptions and hypotheses. When definitive answers are not possible because there is no research documentation, the authors suggest theories designed to stimulate future research.