Making Instruction Work: Or Skillbloomers: A Step-By-Step Guide to Designing and Developing Instruction That Works [Paperback]

Robert F. Mager (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

Making Instruction Work simplifies the complicated task of developing instruction and gives you practical procedures for increasing its effectiveness and efficiency. It takes you step-by-step through the design and development process, providing an invaluable overview of the steps critical to achieving your instructional goals. Making Instruction Work will help you:

- Find feasible solutions to performance problems
- Develop instruction that matches the needs of your audience
- Plan evaluation of the results of instruction
- Improve existing courses
- Ensure that your students become competent in the skills you are teaching

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Designed to help you create and implement courses that will achieve your teaching objectives, Making Instruction Work is a must for anyone in the business of teaching others. This practical book outlines numerous techniques and procedures you can apply immediately to make your instruction more lean, on target, motivating, and effective.

From the Author

The purpose of this book is to describe and illustrate the key components of the instructional craft. But just as there are far more words in the English language than you will ever need or use, there is far more to know about the craft of instruction that you can, or need to, put to practical use. Therefore, this book focuses only on those practical pieces -- the pieces that, when applied, will maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of your instructional efforts.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: Center for Effective Performance; 2 edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879618028
• ISBN-13: 978-1879618022
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mager - The Master of Simplicity and Common Sense, June 13, 2000

By 

Ken Myers (Naperville, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Instruction Work: Or Skillbloomers: A Step-By-Step Guide to Designing and Developing Instruction That Works (Paperback)

Dr. Robert F. Mager may be the master of understatement. When you read his precise recipe for creating successful instruction, you are left with the realization that your life could have been much simpler had you encountered this wisdom earlier in your existence. Dr. Mager is not recounting some brand new theory or blinding discovery. He is communicating a logical and systematic process for defining what instruction can do. In the process, he helps you determine if instruction is the solution for your performance problem. He shows you how to set goals, identify task objectives and task sequences, identify the skills and characteristics of the persons you are teaching, and develop and refine your instruction into an effective change agent.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A no-nonsense guide for training program development, October 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Making Instruction Work: Or Skillbloomers: A Step-By-Step Guide to Designing and Developing Instruction That Works (Paperback)

An easy reading reference for training professionals. It breaks down into simple terms, the complex process of developing training.

The 1988 edition of this book was the course reference text in my college classes on "training development, implementation, and evaluation ". I am still working in the training industry, and refer the the book frequently.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Instructional Development Book, August 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Making Instruction Work: Or Skillbloomers: A Step-By-Step Guide to Designing and Developing Instruction That Works (Paperback)

Mager has written an outstanding book for the beginner to intermediate trainer/curriculum developer. He addresses the skills and procedures necessary for designing instruction. The book is an enjoyable read, which guides you through each step of design, development, implementation and evaluation!