Learning and Performance Glossary

decay rate

The amount of time it takes learners to forget what they have learned in training. The decay rate can be stopped or slowed by having them use their new skills upon their return to the job.

declarative knowledge

Knowledge referring to outside representations of the outside world.

deductive design

An instructional design where rules are presented followed by examples. The emphasis is on forming conclusions.

deficiency

Failure to meet a set performance standard.

delivery

Any method of transferring offerings to learners. Variants are instructor-led training, web-based distance learning, online laboratory, CD-ROM, and books.

demonstration-performance method

A learning experience in which students observe and then participate in a sequence of events designed to teach a procedure, a technique, or an operation, frequently combining oral explanation with the operation or handling of systems, equipment, or materials.

dependent learning objective

Skills and knowledge in one learning objective that are related to those in another learning objective. In order to master one of the learning objectives, it is first necessary to learn the other.

design phase

The second of the Instructional System Design phases (ADDIE). The learning objectives, tests, and the required skills and knowledge for a task are constructed and sequenced.

design review

A technique for evaluating a proposed design to ensure that:

• adequate resources are available to meet time deadlines
• it will work successfully
• it can be built within a reasonable cost
• it meets the organization's needs

development

Training people to acquire new horizons, technologies, or viewpoints. It enables leaders to guide their organizations onto new expectations by being proactive rather than reactive. It enables workers to create better products, faster services, and more competitive organizations. It is learning for growth of the individual, but not related to a specific present or future job.

development phase

The third of the Instructional System Design phases (ADDIE). The purpose of this phase is to develop and validate the instructional material (courseware).

didactic design

Instructional design in which the student is presented information and asked to respond to questions.

differential feedback

Test response feedback specific to the multiple choice answer selected by the student.

difficulty-importance-frequency model

One of several models available for use in selecting tasks for training. Using this model, tasks are identifies as critical based on the difficulty, importance, and frequency of job task performance.

discovery learning

Learning without a teacher; usually in a controlled (i.e. pre-designed) set-up, and under supervision.

discrimination

The ability to choose between two closely related responses to a specific stimulus.

distance learning

(1) Its primary distinction from other types of learning is that the instructor and the learner are separate in space and possibly time. (2) A telecommunications-based instructional system evolved from the open learning movement used to overcome geographical "place-based" learning. (3) In its most common historical form, this refers to a broadcast of a lecture to distant locations, usually through video presentations.

distributed learning

Students take courses from a variety of sources (and delivery modes) to customize a program of study. Often is used synonymously with online learning.

distracter

In testing, incorrect answers provided as choices in multiple choice or matching type test items.

drill

A standardized technique or procedure that prepares students to execute critical collective tasks in an instinctive and spontaneous manner. The drill includes the methods by which it is trained.

drill and practice

Ungraded verifications of comprehension of enabling objectives (e.g., questions, exercises, and problems). A interactive exercise characterized by systematic repetition of concepts, examples, and practice problems. An ungraded practice quiz.

duty

A combination of related tasks equal a duty, and duties combine to form a job.