Instructional Materials Development

DOE-HDBK-1109-97

Instructional Materials Development

Course instructional materials were developed for specific

Target Audience

employees who are responsible for knowing or using the knowledge

or skills for each course. With this in mind, the participant should

never ask the question, "Why do I need to learn this?" However, this

question is often asked when the participant cannot apply the content

of the program. It is the responsibility of management to select and

send workers to training who need the content of the program. When

workers can benefit from the course, they can be motivated to learn

the content and apply it on their jobs. Care should be taken to read

the course descriptions along with the information about who should

attend. Participants and DOE facilities alike will not benefit from

workers attending training programs unsuitable for their needs.

A background and foundation of knowledge facilitates the trainee in

Prerequisites

learning new knowledge or skills. It is much easier to learn new

material if it can be connected or associated to what was previously

learned or experienced. Curriculum developers who have been

involved in preparing instructional materials for the core training

know this and have established what is referred to as "prerequisites"

for each course.

Certain competencies or experiences of participants were also

identified as necessary prior to participants attending a course.

Without these competencies or experiences, the participants would

be at a great disadvantage and could be easily discouraged and

possibly fail the course. It is not fair to the other participants, the

unprepared participant, and the instructor to have this

misunderstanding.

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