Week #8 Reflection IDT in Business and Industry

This week when I read about Instructional Design in Business and Industry I was astonished that 40% of training expenditure went to external consultants. I can understand that having an outsider approach to problem solving and training but this is a one time fix, Wouldn’t it be better to have more focused internal approach that know the organizations culture and methods. IDT could be more specific to that company if it is designed and implemented by someone or a group within the organization. It must surely if an outside designer is being use, take time and resources away from the organization so as to provide the information to the external designer.  It would be more cost effective if an internal designer could develop programs based on prior knowledge. It would be quicker and more coast effective. Within the classroom we are always pushing the accessing of prior knowledge, as students are often their own experts. Outside consultants do not have as much a vested interest in the organizations success as their own capital gain.

On the subject of instructional design in industry and business I can see that internal instruction that can train employees and solve the majority of situations is important and cost effective. However, there is a place for external IDT that can be focused on a problem or specific skill that needs to be enhanced. The different perspective on a problem may be very cost effective in correcting the problem with the right well designed instructional technology.

Finally the new concepts of cross-cultural training is wonderful but the only thing that designers would have to be sure that they know their audience. Cultural programs need to cater to local cultures. I worry that if the cultural designed programs are too broad they would lose their effectiveness. I agree that the idea of problem solving with instruction that is “better, cheaper, and faster” and if it can be applied throughout organizations it’s a win win situation. However, it has to be grounded on research and often the culture of the organization. It is no good developing new things if there is not a vision to improve from the top down. So often I have seen box sets of software, or programs that have never been applied because teachers, principals and admin did not buy into the changes.

Applying any of these concepts in a school can be relevant.  Targeted designed instruction can be used to close achievement gaps and assess specific skills taught. The idea of cross cultural training and problem solving is a important subject in schools. The culture of the schools hierarchy, and the student social racial and economic status can be involved with well design training for staff and instructional materials and systems to bring about discussion about diversity and cultural diffusion.