Chapter 2 - Understanding Order Takers: The Current State of Affairs Flashcards
What is the historical origin of the order-taking practice in L&D within the United States?
The practice can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution where management controlled worker training, a concept reinforced by figures like Henry Ford and Frederick Winslow Taylor.
How did the management views of the Industrial Revolution impact L&D practices?
Management believed workers were subservient and required strict control, leading to an order-taking approach where training was dictated by managers, not trainers.
What role did corporate schools play in the early 1900s regarding L&D?
Corporate schools, influenced by Taylor’s scientific management theory, were designed to control and dictate exact worker behaviors, reinforcing the order-taking model in L&D.
How did World War II impact the field of L&D?
The Training Within Industry (TWI) service helped scale up military production and trained millions, leading to the spread of technical training programs post-war.
What did Malcolm Knowles contribute to the L&D field in the 1970s?
Malcolm Knowles introduced the theory of andragogy, emphasizing that adults learn differently from children, which shifted focus toward more tailored adult education.
How did the introduction of ADDIE in the 1980s influence instructional design?
ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) became the foundation for modern instructional design, promoting a structured approach to creating educational interventions.
What is the significance of the order-taking legacy in modern L&D practices?
Despite technological advances and new learning strategies, L&D often remains in a reactive, order-taking role, allowing business to define needs without consulting L&D expertise.
What factors contribute to the perpetuation of L&D as order takers in organizations today?
Organizational culture and placement play significant roles. If an organization values L&D minimally and places it low in the hierarchy, it reinforces L&D’s role as order takers.
How does the organizational placement of L&D within a company impact its perception and function?
If L&D is placed within or under another function like HR, it may be viewed merely as support, limiting its potential as a strategic partner and reinforcing its role as order takers.
Why is it important for L&D professionals to move beyond being order takers?
Moving beyond order taking allows L&D professionals to fully leverage their expertise in designing effective learning solutions that genuinely address underlying performance issues and contribute strategically to organizational goals.
