Chapter 7 Homework Assignment

1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the lecture, the case study, self-directed learning, and simulations?
   
   For lectures, strengths include that is is least expensive, least time consuming and presents large amounts of information efficiently. Weaknesses of the lecture are a lack of participating, feedback and connection to trainees work environment. It also inhibits the trainers ability to judge the trainees level of understanding. Strengths of the case study are that it provides trainees with the opportunity to analyze certain job related situations and serves for better communicationbetween employees. Weaknesses of the case study would be that any preexisting cases may not directly relate to work experience, negating the purpose of case studies. Strengths of self-directed learning are the the trainee is responsible for all aspects of learning, and move at their own pace which means less money spent on trainers. The disadvantages of self-directed learning are that the trainee must be willing ot learn the material, and must learn it correctly. Some strengths of simulations are the real life situations that can be presented to trainees, which allows for fewer errors in the workplace. The weakness of simulations are the costs of creating real life equipment to simulate the workplace, and constant updates to the equipment.
   
2. What are the components of effective team performance? How might training strengthen these components?
   
   The three components of effective team performance are behavior, knowledge, and attitude. Training can strengthen the behavior component by allowing trainees to communicate wiht others and adapt to tough situations. Knowledge can be strengthened by training because trainees must have the required knowledge in order to complete tasks. Attitudes can be improved as a result of training because it allows trainees to work as teams, coordinating their efforts.
   
3. Discuss the steps of an action learning program. Which aspects of action learning do you think is most beneficial for learning? Which is most beneficial for transfer of training? Explain why.
   
   The steps of an action learning program are identifying sponsors, the problem or issue, the group who can address the problem, and coaches can help the problem solving by offering feed back. Then, there is the presentation of the problem to the group, followed by group discussion, data gathering and analysis as a group, group presentation on how to solve the problem, and lastly self-reflection and debriefing.