Knowledge that Transforms

Previous research and anecdotal reports have suggested that when certain teaching approaches are utilized, students not only learn more, but also experience greater satisfaction with the training process.This study examined the effects of Integrative Learning-based (IL) training relative to lecture-based training.Employees enrolled in a three-day Manufacturing Resource Planning training course were randomly assigned to either IL or traditional training.Subjects reacted more favorably to IL-based training.Trained subjects performed significantly better than those in a no-treatment control group but no differences were noted between training interventions.Comparing Training Methods 3 Comparing Traditional and Integrative Learning Methods in Organizational Training Programs By all accounts, training in U.S. organizations is big business.Over 90 % of all private organizations have some type of systematic training program (Goldstein, 1986), and virtually all organizations with more than 1000 employees systematically train managerial personnel (Saari, Johnson, McLaughlin, & Zimmerle, 1988).It is estimated that over $44 billion per year are spent on training initiatives (Carnevale & Gainer, 1989).Moreover, employee training and development is often identified as the most critical priority organizations will need to address in the coming decade (e.g., Goldstein, 1991;Milkovich & Boudreau, 1991).However, in spite of this perceived importance, training methods are often seen as fads, training program evaluation is rare, and rigorous evaluation is virtually non-existent (Goldstein, 1986(Goldstein, , 1991)).A training approach referred to as Integrative Learning (also referred to as Accelerated Learning, or Super Learning) has been used for many years in educational settings.For example the United Nations Education and Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has reported dramatic results using IL in foreign language courses (Rose, 1985).Additionally, public school systems in Finland, Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Boston, MA; Jacksonville, FL; and Brooklyn,