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Rating: 
Summary: Well-written, practical information
Review: A fine book that balances theory with application quite well. I work as a Technical Writer but have found that most of my work falls under the category of "Instructional Designer," so I did appreciate the background information that the author(s) provided on a variety of learning theories prominent in the field of Instructional Design. Additionally, the CD-ROM wasn't just a novelty; there were several documents which provided some excellent ideas for corporate templates I was creating, and the sample CBT/WBTs really show how it's meant to be done. The highest feedback I can give is that I will walk away from this book armed with some great ideas that will make my manager and technical team members wonder if I just got back from a super conference. This book really shows you how to improve your processes.
Rating:
Summary: Well-written, practical information
Review: A fine book that balances theory with application quite well. I work as a Technical Writer but have found that most of my work falls under the category of "Instructional Designer," so I did appreciate the background information that the author(s) provided on a variety of learning theories prominent in the field of Instructional Design. Additionally, the CD-ROM wasn't just a novelty; there were several documents which provided some excellent ideas for corporate templates I was creating, and the sample CBT/WBTs really show how it's meant to be done. The highest feedback I can give is that I will walk away from this book armed with some great ideas that will make my manager and technical team members wonder if I just got back from a super conference. This book really shows you how to improve your processes.
Rating:
Summary: Well-written, practical information
Review: A fine book that balances theory with application quite well. I work as a Technical Writer but have found that most of my work falls under the category of "Instructional Designer," so I did appreciate the background information that the author(s) provided on a variety of learning theories prominent in the field of Instructional Design. Additionally, the CD-ROM wasn't just a novelty; there were several documents which provided some excellent ideas for corporate templates I was creating, and the sample CBT/WBTs really show how it's meant to be done. The highest feedback I can give is that I will walk away from this book armed with some great ideas that will make my manager and technical team members wonder if I just got back from a super conference. This book really shows you how to improve your processes.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid overview of e-Learning fundamentals
Review: Kruse and Keil cover a broad range of topics in this book. The authors provide an overview of available learning technologies, advice on how to tailor learning materials to different audiences, and tips on layout. The nicest part of this book is the section on selling projects internally, which I also found useful as a guide to selling projects externally. The authors discuss the selling process, which benefits to emphasize, and how to quantify cost benefits of technology based training. In short, the book provides a introductory overview of the leaning technologies that exist, some tips on how to get the most from various technologies, and advice of getting buy-in from stakeholders.
Rating:
Summary: All you need to know about TBT at your fingertips
Review: Technology-Based Training is an easy-to-read, helpful guide for readers who are new to TBT, as well as a handy reference for corporate educators familiar with delivering training via CD-ROM, an intranet, or the Internet. It is one-stop reading covering TBT basics, adult learning and instructional design, technology selection, interface design, and phases of TBT project management. The case studies and resources on the companion CD-ROM provided useful models we adapted for use in our first 2 (successful) TBT projects. I keep pulling it off my bookshelf to flip through!
Rating:
Summary: Good overview and management advice; short on technology
Review: This book is clearly good for the right audience: those new to technology-based training (which the author defines to mean CBT and WBT, not, for example, a flight simulator), training managers with external vendors, and those who are short of the soft skills necessary to navigate the rocks that frequently sink TBT projects. Engineers will also be well served by topics on selling a project internally, GUI design principles, project management, development vendor management, and lots on measurement of effectiveness (Kirkpatrick and ROI). Unfortunately, you know you are in the target audience only if you read the introduction, which is not possible if you buy the book on line. The book's title and subtitle "art and science of design, development, and delivery" misled me into thinking that a book on TBT would place more emphasis on technology. For me, a learning technology engineer, this means how to efficiently develop cutting-edge web-based training with high volumes, multiple languages, interfaces to learning management systems (LMS), and compliance with the emerging learning technology standards. There was absolutely no mention of such issues; it is assumed that you will outsource to a vendor who will handle those "details". While the book is not short, completeness demands at least an introduction to learning objects, metadata, XML, and the CMI standard for exchanging data with an LMS, with further references provided. This was omitted entirely. For those wanting technical details, I would give this book a 2, and recommend Horton's Designing Web-Based Training. For the proper target audience the book is a 4, which I will give it, because I could have read the table of contents here if I had noticed the link. In any event, any serious learning professional will buy at least two TBT books, and this one is certainly worth the time and money. A 5 for the content it has, but a 4 for the content it doesn't.
Rating:
Summary: Good overview and management advice; short on technology
Review: This book is clearly good for the right audience: those new to technology-based training (which the author defines to mean CBT and WBT, not, for example, a flight simulator), training managers with external vendors, and those who are short of the soft skills necessary to navigate the rocks that frequently sink TBT projects. Engineers will also be well served by topics on selling a project internally, GUI design principles, project management, development vendor management, and lots on measurement of effectiveness (Kirkpatrick and ROI). Unfortunately, you know you are in the target audience only if you read the introduction, which is not possible if you buy the book on line. The book's title and subtitle "art and science of design, development, and delivery" misled me into thinking that a book on TBT would place more emphasis on technology. For me, a learning technology engineer, this means how to efficiently develop cutting-edge web-based training with high volumes, multiple languages, interfaces to learning management systems (LMS), and compliance with the emerging learning technology standards. There was absolutely no mention of such issues; it is assumed that you will outsource to a vendor who will handle those "details". While the book is not short, completeness demands at least an introduction to learning objects, metadata, XML, and the CMI standard for exchanging data with an LMS, with further references provided. This was omitted entirely. For those wanting technical details, I would give this book a 2, and recommend Horton's Designing Web-Based Training. For the proper target audience the book is a 4, which I will give it, because I could have read the table of contents here if I had noticed the link. In any event, any serious learning professional will buy at least two TBT books, and this one is certainly worth the time and money. A 5 for the content it has, but a 4 for the content it doesn't.
Rating: 
Summary: Comprehensive handbook for web-based training and CD-ROMs
Review: This new book is a plain-language crash course for guaranteeing that every multimedia and web-based training program you develop will have the award-winning features that actually get measurable business results. The "best-in-class" tactics I describe in this book are the same ones I've used on programs that won awards from the ASTD, ISPI, Invision, and Brandon Hall Resources, while working for industry-leading clients like Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Du Pont, Johnson & Johnson, Merrill Lynch, and Prudential. Here are some additional benefits you'll get from reading Technology-based Training: * CD-ROM or Web? How to determine which delivery media should be used for your next project. * Instructional design that actually works. How to avoid boring page-turners and whiz-bang metaphors that entertain students but don't actually teach anything. * User interface excellence. How to design and evaluate interfaces that don't just look good, but actually provide easy navigation for those who are technically challenged. * Tricks, traps and other vendor shenanigans. Make sure you never get burned by multimedia-training vendors and their industry jargon and contract loopholes. * Learn how to prove the value of your projects. Evaluate your projects with a five level model that includes easy steps for measuring ROI and cost-benefit. * Get the budget you need. Understand the "hot-buttons" of senior executives and middle managers so you can present a solid business case for your next project. This book isn't a theoretical overview to online learning. Rather, it's a practical, hands-on guide that includes many tools you can use on the job right away. Tool #1 - Model Request for Proposal (RFP) Template Tool #2 - Vendor Selection Scorecard Tool #3 - User Interface Evaluation Checklist Tool #4 - Instructional Design Assessment Tool #5 - Pilot-study Student Surveys Tool #6 - Step-by-Step Evaluation Worksheets (ROI, cost-benefit, breakeven, etc.) Tool #7 - CD-ROM is bundled with digital copies of tools and presentations Readers of the book can also sign-up for my free monthly e-mail newsletter that tackles timely topics and trends. Best regards, Kevin Kruse
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