Personal Knowledge Management system (pkms) books:

Clark, R. C. (1999). Developing technical training. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer

Ruth Clark is one of the foremost experts on the development of training in the world. I was exposed to this book during my EDTEC 544 class, and used it as a resource when building my facilitator guide for my Coast Guard supporting documentation project. Outlining the whole ISD process, Clark's book is an excellent resource for teaching the reader how to teach material and content defined as facts, concepts, processes, procedures, and principles. Teaches effective techniques for training content and ensuring the best possible results for the learner. Clark defines each content type and explains how to utilize the best possible instructional methods for delivering the content in either print or e-learning. The information contained in this book will assist me in the future creating learning objects for use within the Coast Guard.

Clark, R. & Mayer, R. (2003). E-learning and the science of instruction: Proven guidelines for consumers and designers of multimedia learning. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.

This book is all about designing practical e-learning. The book includes information on e-learning and provides excellent, precise explanations for principles regarding: Multi-media, continuity, modality, redundancy, coherence, and personalization. I used this book as a resource for the e-learning tutorial that I built in my EDTEC 671 class. The information contained in this book will remain relevant for some time, and will be another valuable resource for me in the future.

Clark, R., Nguyen, F., & Sweller, J. (2006). Efficiency in learning: evidence-based guidelines to manage cognitive load. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.

I had the pleasure of having one of the authors of this book, Dr. Frank Nguyen, as a teacher in both EDTEC 544 and ED 795A. Especially useful were the sections on worked examples and backwards fading, which I implemented in one of my projects during my time as a graduate student at SDSU. I was also exposed to the theory behind managing a learner's cognitive load optimally. This book explains to the reader the most effective way to utilize the three communication modes of training: visuals, audio, and the written word. Real world examples in the book help bring the message home. Incorporates the Cognitive Load Theory into how to utilize communication modes.

Mager, R. & Pipe, P. (1997). Analyzing performance problems, 3rd ed. Atlanta, GA: CEP Press.

From what I have ascertained, the late Bob Mager is a staple of the training and development world. One of the first books that I read in the EDTEC program, This book introduces the reader to performance problems/performance technology fundamentals. Breaks down performance analysis to the novice level, with great examples throughout the book. Extremely useful as an introduction to performance technology fundamentals, and the material contained in the book is as relevant today as it was when it was first authored.

Mager, R. (1997). Goal analysis,3rd ed. Atlanta, GA: CEP Press.

Great book of the Mager "six-pack" series that focuses on taking “fuzzy” goals and making them more clear and measurable. Provides steps to accomplish making goals have more clarity and meaning. I first was exposed to this book in EDTEC 540, and it gave me a solid foundation on how to make the intangible tangible. I have referred back to this book numersous times during my journey through the EDTEC program, and will contine to utilize it as a "tool" in my training and development work in the future.

Mager, R. (1997). Preparing instructional objectives, 3rd ed. Atlanta, GA: CEP Press.

Explains in an easy manner how to create effective instructional objectives. Takes the reader through the process, and provides lots of excellent examples and practice opportunities. I myself am found of Mager's method of creating instructional objectives, listing audience, behavior, condition, and degree. I find this method more suited to creating objectives than the SMART method. I have used this book for many of the courses I have taken in graduate school, and will no doubt use this book in the future to assist with the creation of clear objectives.

Portney, S. (2007) Project management for dummies, 2nd ed. New Jersey: Wiley Publishing Inc.

Who doesn't love a "for dummies" book? Portney introduces the reader to the concepts and steps involved for successful project management. He defines and expands on the conceive, define, start, perform, and close phases involved with all projects. The “for dummies” aspect of the book is excellent as it gives the novice reader accessibility to the material. I will keep this book close by in the future, to assist me in future projects where I will be the project manager.

Rossett, A. (1999). First things fast: A handbook for performance analysis. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer.

Dr. Allison Rossett is a household name for people in the Performance Technology field, and this book is an outstanding resource on conducting performance analysis. Provides great information for analyzing performance barriers. Great systematic approach to conducting a performance analysis. Contains excellent job aids within the book for how to handle different types of situations. I used this book extensively in EDTEC 685, as well as in ED 795A when working as an intern for the American Express Learning Network.

Williams, R. & Tollett, J. (2006) The non-designer’s handbook, 3rd ed. Berkley, CA: Peachpit Press.

Finally, a technology book that doesn't read like an instruction manual. Explains in detail in how to develop and design websites. Provides instruction through the use of examples versus non-examples. Covers all aspects of web design including color scheme, audio, visuals, and other formatting issues. Written to aid the novice web designer in the creation of websites.This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to get started creating websites, and helped me a lot in the creation of my first website, which I designed in my EDTEC 541 class. Though I will most likely not be designing websites within the Coast Guard, this book is a great resource for any personal web page designing that I do in the future.

Wick, C., Pollock, R., Jefferson, A., & Flanagan, R. (2006). The six disciplines of breakthrough learning: How to turn training and development into business results. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.

Book that focuses on using training to generate business results. The authors present six areas to concentrate on when developing training: 1). Define outcomes in business terms; 2). Design complete experiences; 3). Deliver for application; 4). Drive follow through; 5). Deploy active support; 6). Document results. Excellent resource for developing real world training in a business environment. Though I do not work in the corporate world, the material in this book can apply to my field as well, though money is not necessarily the "bottom line".