We are here in front of two great authors and they know how to use synthesis. They have been able to put together the essence of their skills in words that makes it readable for every interested mind. The result is a complete book, with no missing part. It will become a reference to those who want to have the full picture. The newcomer and the addict will use it often.
M. Stolovitch and Mme Keeps use a "discussion" mode to cover theme like: adult learning, course creating techniques, training approaches and evaluation. They keep the interest of the reader with exercises, questions and tests. To read the book is to have a talk with them.
But the part that is to most satisfying is the one on training myth. At last a very good text on what works and why!! You should buy the book just for that chapter. I keep reading "Telling ain't training" just to feel that what I do is fine and that I am not alone fighting for a just cause.
Stolovitch and Keeps little masterpiece "Telling Ain't Training", incorporates a variety of adult learning principles throughout the book like:
? telling the learner the benefit of the training,
? taking into account the different experiences of the learners,
? making sure the learner is actively involved and particpating in the learning, and
? leading the learner to action.
The reader/learner is led systematically to an realization of why transmitting (telling) information doesn't work as well as transforming (including practice and feedback) the learner. The reader/learner's active involvement is ensured through constant examples, analogies and activities that are fun and always to the point.
As someone who both develops and delivers training programs, I found this book to be highly informative (it discusses the current research in learning and development), extremely well focussed and ultimately very useful. I have already incorporated at least 5 of the book's wonderful little nuggets into my training and development activities.
I highly recommend this book