How to Design Self-Directed and Distance Learning Programs: A Guide for Creators of Web-Based Training, Computer-Based Training, and Self-Study Materials [Paperback]

Nigel Harrison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 1998

Written by a performance and training expert, this powerful, distance learning designerÕs toolkit shows you step-by-step how to create professional quality self-directed learning programs. New technology has expanded the possibilities for distance learningÑbut it hasn't affected the need for clear objectives, good planning, well-constructed programs, and measurable training gains. Whether your medium is workbooks or Web pages, Nigel Harrison's methods will show you how to achieve excellent results. Even if you're new to training, this book will help you deliver professional-level self-directed and distance trainingÑtraining that delivers the results that organizations need.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Your complete guide to designing effective web-based training or distance learning. With this leading-edge guide, you can design any type of Web-based, self-directed, or distance learning program to maximize learner participation and retention. This book gives you structured directions for the entire process of designing a training program, from assessing the need for training to evaluating the results. New technology has expanded the possibilities for distance learning--but it hasn't affected the need for clear learning objectives, good planning, well-constructed programs, and measurable training gains. This complete toolkit for self-directed and distance training will show you how to construct an effective self-directed training program, one step at a time. Whether your training medium is workbooks or Web pages, instructional designer and performance expert Nigel Harrison will show you how to achieve excellent results.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (July 31, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070271003
• ISBN-13: 978-0070271005
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,640,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Should be Titled "Evaluating the need for Training", September 30, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Fremont, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Design Self-Directed and Distance Learning Programs: A Guide for Creators of Web-Based Training, Computer-Based Training, and Self-Study Materials (Paperback)

This 300+ page book could easily have been 150 pages. Furthermore, he spends entirely too much time in the evaluation process. If you're looking to jump into web-based training design, this book's not for you. Too much preliminary analysis chocked full of theory from basic educational classes. The first 200 pages are a repeat of what I learned in educational classes for a degree in training and technological education. If you're a beginner, then this book could give you an overview of the complete thought process of deciding whether or not you need training. In fact, he almost tries to talk you out of training, but instead to try other alternatives first. If you've already made your mind up and need an expert book on the subject, this book is NOT for you. He readily admits that he has never done WBT!?! Designed more for academia and as a student workbook. I was looking more for a book that would detail the pro's and con's of WBT and distance learning from an expert doing it. It isn't until page 252 of 350+ that he begins talking about WBT (never mind he hasn't done it). He then spends less than 50 pages on it. Disregard all of the Web-based hype that you read on the back cover and in the book synthesis from the publisher.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Look Elsewhere, and Save Your Money, October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Design Self-Directed and Distance Learning Programs: A Guide for Creators of Web-Based Training, Computer-Based Training, and Self-Study Materials (Paperback)

Here is the entire book, quickly summed up:

* Fill in these many, many "worksheet pages" * Work with experienced persons to get experience * Fill out some more checklist worksheets * Thanks for your money

PLEASE do yourself a favor, and get a WBT book in which the author acutally is a Subject Matter Expert, and not someone out to take your money and provide obvious advice.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Useful as a supplemental workbook, but not on its' own, March 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Design Self-Directed and Distance Learning Programs: A Guide for Creators of Web-Based Training, Computer-Based Training, and Self-Study Materials (Paperback)

This book may be useful as a workbook for those who need to thoroughly outline a project they're doing(if they already know something about Web-Based Training). Better yet, teachers of WBT/CBT or Instructional Design might use it as a workbook for student projects. It is not, however, a good place to learn about WBT--not on its' own. A more comprehensive primary text is a necessity.