Description
Book SynopsisSpeed in acquiring the knowledge and skills to perform tasks is crucial. Yet, it still ordinarily takes many years to achieve high proficiency in countless jobs and professions, in government, business, industry, and throughout the private sector. There would be great advantages if regimens of training could be established that could accelerate the achievement of high levels of proficiency. This book discusses the construct of ‘accelerated learning.’ It includes a review of the research literature on learning acquisition and retention, focus on establishing what works, and why. This includes several demonstrations of accelerated learning, with specific ideas, plans and roadmaps for doing so. The impetus for the book was a tasking from the Defense Science and Technology Advisory Group, which is the top level Science and Technology policy-making panel in the Department of Defense. However, the book uses both military and non-military exemplar case studies.
It is likely that methods for acceleration will leverage technologies and capabilities including virtual training, cross-training, training across strategic and tactical levels, and training for resilience and adaptivity.
This volume provides a wealth of information and guidance for those interested in the concept or phenomenon of "accelerating learning"— in education, training, psychology, academia in general, government, military, or industry.
Trade Review"This is a very important book, taking the issue of skill development to its limit. Anyone interested in skill development will want to read this for the state-of-the-art and for its goldmine of ideas for accelerated learning and facilitated retention." - Douglas Herrman, Editor Emeritus, Cognitive Technology
"The authors use a systematic and thorough approach to identify and evaluate issues and research underlying learning, skill, and knowledge retention and requirements for successful application of accelerated learning. As well, they use a wealth of references—listed on 46 pages, nearly 20 percent of the total length of the book—to support their findings and recommendations." - Dr. David Schroeder, PsycCRITIQUES
Table of Contents1. The Value of Expertise and the Need to "Capture" Knowledge. 2. Accelerated Learning and Its Challenges. 3. The Nature of Proficiency. 4. Practice and Feedback. 5. Transfer. 6. Retention and Decay. 7. Problem and Scenario-Based Training. 8. Team Training. 9. Demonstrations of Accelerated Expertise. 10. Domain Case Studies. 11. Forging a Theory: Cognitive Flexibility and Cognitive Transformation. 12. Designs for Accelerated Learning: Challenges and Issues. 13. The Focus of Training: Skills and Capabilities. 14. Designs for Accelerated Learning: Training Materials, Methods and Strategies. 15. Design for Accelerated Learning. Appendix: Proficiency Scaling Examples.
