Psychology 961

                                          Training and Development in Organizations

                                                                    Spring  2004

 

Instructor:         J. Kevin Ford   Office:             

Phone:              353-5006                     Office Hours:    By Appt.

E-Mail              Fordjk@msu.edu

 

Course Description

 

This course is a doctoral level graduate seminar that focuses on critical conceptual and empirical issues facing the field of training and development.  The course is structured around major training themes such as training needs assessment, design, evaluation and transfer.   The course is not specifically designed to "train" trainers but to give participants an appreciation for the critical research issues that must be addressed in the training literature.  To appreciate these issues, participants will also be involved in projects designed to simulate the practical issues and constraints in designing a training program.  Thus, the course is based on the principles of action learning and learner control of the learning process.

 

Course Readings

 

Goldstein, I., & Ford, J.K. (2002). Training in organizations (4th Edition). Wadsworth.

 

Assigned readings and research project readings (see below)

 

Course Projects

 

There are four major expectations for the course:

 

(1) Active participation in class discussions. Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings.  In addition, students are expected to complete pre-class assignments and contribute to the discussion. Of course, you are also expected to come to every class. The quality of one's contributions to the seminar will be evaluated.   Feedback regarding participation is available upon request. 

 

(2) Each student will serve alone (or with one other student) as a facilitator for one of the class meetings.  Facilitators will need to thoroughly familiarize themselves with that day's topic as well as to locate and read additional relevant materials.  Facilitators may want to provide abstracts of additional readings, give out questions to focus that week's readings or other structuring activity the week prior to their facilitation week.  In addition, facilitators are encouraged to present a project that they are currently working on or to provide some "hands on" activities for action learning.  It is expected that the facilitators will provide a structure for the discussion of the concepts and issues relevant to that week (providing an integration and perhaps a new framework), and facilitate the discussion.  The facilitators should also link the issues for the current week with past readings/discussions. Topics for facilitation will be arranged early in the term.  You must present to Dr. Ford an overview of your presentation/facilitation and meet with him about your ideas (by Monday before class).  Having material and/or thought questions for students to come prepared in class to discuss is strongly encouraged. Expectations are that the facilitators will have 1 1/2 hours of class time -plan accordingly. Facilitators will be evaluated by the class members and information fedback to them.  This evaluation will also be incorporated into your grade for this requirement.

 

(3) The third requirement is to complete a research based written assignment.  “Research teams”: (groups of 3 or 4) will be created. The research team and meet with me on a regular basis (every 2 weeks for the term) to pursue one of the following topics (or some mutually agreed upon topic). The goal is to develop a publishable paper/chapter from this work.

 

Team 1: Review the past 25 years of training research in I/O Psychology. The articles will come from Personnel Psychology and Journal of Applied Psychology (search could extend to overseas journals like Journal of Occupational Psychology is group sees this as useful). The general idea is to summarize the types of studies being conducted (e.g., what the focus of the studies have been, what changes have occurred in training research in the field, how has the criteria of interest shifted etc.) and to provide a critique of the field and directions for future research.

 

Team 2: Look at the last 2 to 3 years of research in applied cognitive psychology and provide a summary of the research that is both learning related and more relevant to understanding workplace training issues. The general focus is to identify up and coming concepts and methods from the field of applied cognitive psychology that are particularly relevant to understanding workplace training and development. Then the team will generate possible research studies and/or generate research propositions/hypotheses.

 

Team 3: Look at the last 2 to 3 years of research in educational psychology and provide a summary of the research that is learning related. The general focus is to identify up and coming concepts and methods from the field of education that are particularly relevant to understanding workplace training and development. Then the team will generate possible research studies and/or generate research propositions/hypotheses.

 

Team 4: Look at the last two years of Training and Development. This magazine is from the American Society of Training and Development and provides a view of real time practice issues relevant to training.  First, summarize the kinds of issues and topics that have appeared in the magazine. Based on this analysis, detail the kinds of research questions that would be most relevant for addressing these practical issues. In addition, you can detail how existing research on training could be directly applied to understanding one or more of the issues raised in one or more of the articles in Training and Development.

 

(4) Participants will work as part of a team to complete assigned work relevant to developing a training program.  The project will include conducting a needs assessment, writing training objectives, designing a training program, and developing methods of evaluation.  A separate handout on the training project will be provided that explains the steps to be completed. The team will also have the opportunity to present their work to the class.

 

Course Evaluation

 

The four parts of the class will be graded as follows:

            Active Participation/completion of pre-class work         20%

            Facilitator Role                                                 20%

            Research Project                                                          30%

            Training Project                                                            30%


 

                                                                  Course Topics

 

 

January 14                    Introduction and Overview

 

January 21                    Understanding Learning: Different Lens for examining transfer issues

 

January 28                    The Practice of Learning and Transfer

 

February 4                   The role of cognition

 

February 11                 The role of motivation

 

February 18                 The Instructional Training Model and Training Needs Assessment

 

February 25                 Training Design

 

March 3                       Training Evaluation

 

March 10                     Spring Break

 

March 17                     Training Media and emerging learning technologies

 

March 24                     Influence of individual differences and context effects on training effectiveness


March 31                     Interventions and training effectiveness

 

April 07                        Training Methods

 

April 14                        Team Development

 

April 21                        Developmental Learning Systems

 

April 28                        The Science and Practice of Training and Development

 

May 05                        Presentations of research ideas/next steps

 

 


                                                                       Readings

 

Introduction

 

Sources for Presentation and Discussion:

 

Ford, J.K. (2002). Employee training.  Encyclopedia of Psychology. American Psychological  Association, Oxford Press.

 

            Ford, J.K. (1997). Advances in training research and practice: An historical perspective.  In J. K. Ford & Associates (Eds.). Improving training effectiveness in work organizations, (pp. 1 - 18), LEA.

 

            Kraiger, K., & Ford, J.K. (in press). The Expanding Role of Workplace Training: Themes

            and Trends Influencing Training Research and Practice

 

 

Understanding Learning: Different Lens for Examining Transfer Issues

 

Baldwin, T., & Ford, J.K. (l988).  Transfer of training: A review and directions for future research.  Personnel Psychology.

 

Barnett, S.M., & Ceci, S.J. (2002). When and where do we apply what we learn? A taxonomy for far transfer. Psychological Bulletin, 128, 612-637.

 

Cox, B. (1997). The rediscovery of the active learner in adaptive contexts: A developmental-historical analysis of transfer of training. Educational Psychologist, 32, 41-55.

 

Halpern, D. (1998). Teaching critical thinking for transfer across domains. American Psychologist, 53, 449-455.

 

 

The Practice of Training Transfer

 

Ford, J.K. & Fisher, S. (1997). The role of training in a changing workplace and workforce: New perspectives and approaches.  In E. Kossek & S. Lobel (eds.) Managing Diversity.

 

Yelon, S., & Ford, J.K. (1999).  Pursuing a multidimensional view of transfer. Performance Improvement Quarterly.

 

Broad, M.L. (2000). Managing the organizational learning transfer system: A model and case study. Advances in Developing Human Resources.

 

Laker, D. (1990). Dual dimensionality of training transfer. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 1, 209-223.

Ford, J.K. (1990). Understanding training transfer: The water remains murky. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 1, 225-229.

 

 

Role of Cognition and Learning

 

Ford, J.K. & Kraiger, K. (l995). The application of cognitive constructs to the instructional systems model of training: Implications for needs assessment, design, and transfer.  International Review of I/O Psychology.

 

Schmidt, A. & Ford, J.K. (2003). Learning within a learner control training environment: The interaction effects of goal orientation and metacognitive instruction on learning outcomes. Personnel Psychology, 56, 405-429.

 

Aleven, V., & Koedinger, K. (2002). An effective metacognitive strategy: Learning by doing and explaining with a computer based cognitive tutor. Cognitive Science, 26, 147-179.

 

Thiede, K., Anderson, M., & Therriault, D. (2003). Accuracy of metacognitive monitoring affects learning of texts. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 66-73

 

Desoeete, A., Roeyer, H. & DeClercq, A. (2003). Can offline metacognition enhance mathematical problem solving. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 188-200.

 

 

Role of Motivation and Learning

 

Colquitt, J.A., LePine, J.A., & Noe, R.A. (2000).  Trainee attributes and attitudes revisited: A meta-

analytic structural equation modeling analysis of research on training motivation. Journal of Applied Psychology

 

Mathieu, J., & Martineau, J. (1997). Individual and situational influences in training motivation. In. K.  Ford & Associates (Eds.).  Improving Training Effectiveness in Organizations. LEA.

 

Pintrich, P. (2003). A motivational science perspective on the role of student motivation in learning and teaching contexts. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 667-686.

 

Fisher, S., & Ford, J.K. (1998). Differential effects of learner effort and goal orientation on two learning outcomes. Personnel Psychology, 51, 397-420.

 

The Instructional Systems Model and Training Needs Assessment

 

Goldstein, I. (l993). Training in Organizations.  Chapters 2 & 3

 

BuBois, D.A., K. Levi, V. Shalin, & W. Borman (1998). A cognitively oriented approach to task

analysis.  Training Research Journal, 3, 103-141.

 

Dipboye, R. (1997). Organizational barriers to implementing a rational model of training.

In M. Quinones and A. Ehrenstein (Eds.). Training for a rapidly changing workforce.

 

Ford, J.K., Smith, E., Sego, D., & Quinones (l993). The impact of individual and task experience factors on training needs assessment ratings. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78, 583-590.

 

Ford, J.K., & Wroten, S.P. (1984).  Introducing new methods for conducting training evaluation and for linking training evaluation to program redesign.  Personnel Psychology, 37, 651-665.

 

 

Training Design Issues and Studies

 

Goldstein & Ford, Chapter 4

 

Gagne,R. Briggs, L, & Wager, W. (1992). Principles of instructional design. (4th edition). Chapters 3, 4, 5, 10, 12.

 

Gagne, R.M. (1962. Military training and principles of learning. American Psychologist, 17, 83-91.

 

Winfred, A., Bennett, W., Edens, P., & Bell, S. (2003). Effectiveness of training in organizations: A meta-analysis of design and evaluation features. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88, 234-245.

 

Donovan, J. & Radosevich, D. (1999). A meta-analytic review of the distribution of practice effect: Now you see it, now you don’t. Journal of Applied Psychology, 84, 795-805.

 

Schaafstal, A., Schraagen, J., & Berlo, M. (2000). Cognitive task analysis and innovation of training: The case of structured troubleshooting. Human Factors, 42, 75-86.

 

 

Training Evaluation

 

Goldstein and Ford (2002) Chapters 5 & 6

 

Kraiger, K., Ford, J.K., & Salas, E. (1993).  Integration of cognitive, behavioral, and affective theories of learning into new methods of training evaluation. Journal of Applied Psychology.

 

Kraiger, K. (2002). Decision-based evaluation. In K. Kraiger & Associates (Eds.). Creating, implementing, and managing effective training and development. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

 

Kirkpatrick, D. (l976).  Evaluation of training.  In R. Craig (ed.) Training and Development Handbook.

 

Alliger, G., Tannenbaum, S., Bennett, W., Travor, H., & Shotland, A. (1997). A meta-analysis of the relations among training criteria. Personnel Psychology, 50, 341-358.

 

Morrow, C. Jarrett, M., & Rupinski, M. (1997). An investigation of the effect and economic untility of corporate wide training. Personnel Psychology, 50, 91-119.

 

Bartel, A. (2000). Measuring the employer’s return on investments in training: Evidence from the literature. Industrial Relations, 39, 502-524.

 

 

Training Media, Practices, and New Training Technologies

 

Goldstein, I., & Ford, J.K. (2002). Chapter 7

 

Steele-Johnson, D., & Hyde, B. (1997). Advanced technologies in training: Intelligent tutoring systems and virtual reality.  In M. Quinones and A. Ehrenstein (Eds.). Training for a rapidly changing workforce.

 

Bell, B., & Kozlowski, S. (2002). Adaptive guidance: Enhancing self regulation, knowledge, and performance in technology based training. Personnel Psychology, 55, 267-306.

 

Brown, K. (2001). Using computers to deliver training: Which employees learn and why? Personnel Psychology, 54, 271-296.

 

Williams, M. (1996). Learner control and instructional technologies. In Jonansen, D. (ed)., Handbook of research for educational communications and technology (pp. 957-983). New York: Simon and Schuster McMillan.

 

Maki, W.S., & Maki, R. (2002). Multimedia comprehension skill predicts differential outcomes of web-based and lecture courses. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 8, 85-98.

 

Olson, T., & Wisher, R. (2002).  The effectiveness of web-based instruction: An initial inquiry. International review of research in Open and Distance Learning.

 

Powell, W. (2001). Like life. Training and Development, 32-39.

 

Individual differences and contextual effects on training effectiveness

 

Ford, J.K., & Oswald, F.(2003). Understanding the dynamic learner: Linking personality traits, learning situations, and individual behavior. In M. Barrick and A. Ryan (Eds.) Personality and work. Jossey-Bass.

 

Warr, P. & Bunce, D. (1995). Trainee characteristics and the outcomes of open learning.  Personnel Psychology, 48, 347-375.

 

Tesluk, P., Farr, J., Mathieu, J., & Vance, R. (1995). Generalization of employee involvement training to the job setting: Individual and situational effects.  Personnel Psychology, 48, 607-632.

 

Ford, Smith, Gully, Weissbein, & Salas (1998). Relationships of goal orientation, metacognitive activity, and practice strategies with learning outcomes and transfer. Journal of Applied Psychology, 83, 218-232.

 

Herold, D., Davis, W., Fedor, D., & Parson, C. (2002). Dispositional influences on transfer of learning in multistage training programs. Personnel Psychology, 55, 851-869.

 

Ford, J.K., Quinones, M., Sego, D., & Sorra, J. (l992). Factors affecting the opportunity to perform trained tasks on the job. Personnel Psychology, 45, 511 - 527.

 

 

Training Interventions:

 

Stevens, C. & Gist, M. (l997). Effects of self-efficacy and goal orientation training on negotiation skill maintenance: What are the mechanisms?  Personnel Psychology, 50, 955-978.

 

Heimbeck, D., Frese, M., & Sonnentag, S. (2003). Integrating errors into the training process: The function of error management instructions and the role of goal orientation. Personnel Psychology, 56, 333-361.

 

Gully, S., Payne, S., Koles, K., & Whiteman, J. (2002). The impact of error training and individual differences on training outcomes: An attribute – treatment interaction perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 143-155.

 

Smith-Jentsch, Jentsch, F., Payne, S., & Salas, E. (1996). Can pretraining experiences explain individual differences in learning?  Journal of Applied Psychology, 81, 110-116.

 

Weissbein, D., Ford, J.K., & Schmidt, A. (in progress). Improving Training Effectiveness Through Motivation  Creating a Learning State Intervention.

 

Loewenstein, J., Thompsn, L, & Genter, D. (2003). Analogical learning in negotiation teams: Comparing cases promotes learning and transfer. Academy of Management Learning and Education, 2, 119-127.

 

Training Methods

 

Goldstein, I., & Ford, J.K. (2002). Chapter 8

 

Latham, G.P. & Saari, L.M. (l979).  Application of social-learning theory to training supervisors through behavioral modeling.  Journal of Applied Psychology, 64, 239-246.

 

May, G.L., & Kahnweiler, W. (2000). The effect of mastery practice design on learning and transfer in behavior modeling training. Personnel Psychology, 53, 353 –373

 

Frayne, C., & Geringer, J. (2000). Self management training for improving job performance: A field experiment involving salespeople. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85, 361-372.

 

Friese, M., Beimel, S., & Schoenborn, S. (2003). Action training for charismatic leadership: Two evaluations of studies of a commercial training module on inspirational communication of a vision. Personnel Psychology, 56, 671-697.

 

Team Development

 

Salas, E., & Cannon-Bowers, J. (1997). Methods, tools and strategies for team training. In M. Quinones, and A. Ehrenstein (Eds.). Training for a rapidly changing workplace. American Psychological Association.

 

Brown, T. (2003). The effect of verbal self-guidance training on collective self efficacy and team performance. Personnel Psychology, 56, 935-964.

 

Bunderson, J. & Sutcliffe, K. (2003). Management team learning orientation and business unit performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 888, 552-560.

 

Marks, M., Sabella, M., Burke, C., & Zaccaro, S. (2002). The impact of cross training on team effectiveness. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 3-13.

 

Ellis, A., Hollenbeck, J., Ilgen, D., Porter, C., West, B., & Moon, H. (2003). Team learning: Collectively connecting the dots. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88, 821-835.

 

Developmental Learning Systems

 

Goldstein, I., & Ford, J.K. (2002). Chapter 9

 

Maurer, T., Weiss, E., & Barbeite, F. (2003). A model of involvement in work related learning and development activity: The effects of individual, situational, motivational, and age variables. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88, 707-724.

 

Raelin, J. (2000). Work based learning. Chapters 4 & 5. Addison Wesley.

 

Pawlowsky, P. (2002). The treatment of organizational learning in management science. In the Handbook of Organizational Learning and Knowledge, Oxford Press.

 

Interview with Sonjay Weckstrom-Nousiainen by Lenna Masalin (2003). Nokia leads change through continuous learning. Academy of Management Learning and Education, 2, 68-72.

 

The Science and Practice of Training

 

Salas, E., Cannon-Bowers, J., & Blickensderfer, E. (1997). Enhancing reciprocity between theory and training practice: Principles, guidelines, and specifications. In. K. Ford & Associates (Eds.).  Improving Training Effectiveness in Organizations. LEA.