Developing technical training: A structured approach for the development of classroom and computer-based instructional materials

Dr. Clark's book is an easy-to-read guide on how to design training according to the five types of content: procedures, factual information, concepts, processes and principles. She clearly defines each type and then explains to the reader how to design learning based on the "remember level" (memorization by learner) and the "apply level" (application by learner). Dr. Clark gives examples on how to assess each type of content and guides the reader through each chapter with a "visual" - a chart which she fills in as the reader progresses through the book. One of the instructional designers at our college is leaving to head the implementation of an online program at another college. I bought her this book as a going-away gift because it is an essential tool for every one who designs learning. This resource should be in every college's, instructional designer's and instructor's library. It is well worth the price.

I've been using Dr. Clark's method of instructional design since 1992 to develop training materials targeted at highly-skilled software engineers. Again and again, students have commented on the way these course materials are not only helpful during class, but also later as reference materials when they're trying to apply what they've learned. Be warned: Developing these kinds of "information mapped" training materials requires more effort than simply throwing together some PowerPoint slides with a few bullet items. But trust me, your students will thank you.

Dr. Clark's instructional methods in this book describe five different areas: facts, concepts, processes, procedures and principles of technical training. It summarizes and applies current research that illustrates instructional strategies allowing instructional designers to better grasp these training processes. I liked the way she applied these instructional methods in a clear-cut, uncomplicated way throughout the book.

This book is still a great resource! Ruth Colvin Clark's work remains one of the most widely quoted resources in instructional design circles, including the instructional design special interest group of the Society of Technical Communicators. While you wait for your copy to arrive, you can peruse some of her work on the macromedia site at http://www.macromedia.com/support/authorware/basics.html. Worth the time.Ann Pavkovic, Consulting Technical Writer

This book provides all the instructional design details for the five content types. It describes the what and why of instructional design and describes how to display it on paper and a computer screen. There is a full chapter dedicated to CBT design. I am recommending this book as required reading for all our trainers.