NEWER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER

June 1, 2016

With the introduction of Interactive Laser Videodisc (IVD) in the 1980s, the opportunity for increased learning and retention for the 40% of our workforce who do not assimilate anything written above a 4^th grade reading level had become a reality!

The emphasis was on the learning-design while the technology was secondary in importance — instructional branching was the key. (With the plethora of current e-Learning examples that are merely repurposed PowerPoints, the emphasis has unfortunately switched — with a consequent decline in skills acquisition and retention.)

It is also important to ask the question, “Why so much early emphasis on industrial skills training?”

Because the full power of visual-media instruction reaches out effectively to all individuals who need to acquire the skills so necessary to mechanical maintenance, electrical maintenance, instrumentation, operations and good safety practice.

This fit has proven ideal for a partnership between knowledgeably-designed, visual-based instruction combined with the necessary skills and work practices associated with America’s blue collar workforce.

Manufacturing has always been an essential strength of any national economy. “No other sector contributes more to the nation’s overall economy, economists say. And, as manufacturing weakens, the country becomes more and more dependent on imports of merchandise, computers, machinery and the like — running up a trade deficit that in time could undermine the dollar and the nation’s capacity to sustain so many imports.” (New York Times)

Consequently, the payback that only well designed, visual-media training can deliver is more essential today than ever before.

Visual-media instruction includes full-motion video and sophisticated graphic animations, accompanied by an optional word-for-word audio button that allows both the fluent reader and the less-fluent to learn.

Instructionally sound, visual-media training can help revitalize American manufacturing because it delivers better results than any alternate choice. Learner retention rates will grow, productivity will increase, and lost-time accidents will shrink.

“THE WORLD RELIES ON THE HANDS OF ITS MEN AND WOMEN”

(This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog owner, jhbillwalton@gmail.com, an independent consultant. They do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in a professional or personal capacity.)