Seeking New Learning Realities

09/02/10 01:18 PM

Most companies have instructional systems design (ISD) programs that are, at best, moderately effective in achieving both learning and business goals and are not positioned well enough for the future, according to a new research report from the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). The research also found that while there are many challenges facing the world of learning and ISD practitioners, the need for instructional systems design still exists and will continue to as the field adapts to the demands of the contemporary learner and a global workforce.

The report, “Instructional Systems Design: Today and in the Future,” includes a survey of major ISD practices and interviews conducted with experts and business organizations. The Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) partnered with ASTD in the research. The study reveals that the traditional classroom course, often reported as being irrelevant, is still used by most organizations, with 97 percent of respondents saying they currently use the classroom to deliver workplace learning.

Other key findings:

>> 93 percent of participants believe ISD will become more important in the future.

>> Blended learning is being used by 69 percent of organizations, which means ISD experts must adjust to an increasingly diverse and blended world of learning.

>> 40 percent of respondents agree traditional ISD does not prepare designers for today’s learning environments.

>> Popular tools used by ISD practitioners include Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Flash and Photoshop — not software traditionally designed for ISD.

The full report can be accessed via the ASTD Store. This report is free to ASTD members.

<- Back to: Elearning!

Is Technology Making Your Staff Obsolete?

Are you worried that your staff’s collective skillset is becoming obsolete as we move toward a deeper reliance on new learning technologies? Are you also worried that you won’t be able to avail your enterprise of some of the newest technologies because you simply can’t find people with the right skillsets to deploy these technologies effectively?

You’re not alone.

MORE...