Thosewho know me may be surprised to hear that I have a longstandinginterest in assistive technologies and “people first” approaches:my first training job was in the staff development department of a750-bed facility for adults with severe and profound developmentaldisabilities. So I was especially interested in this title when itcame my way. I assumed this was a “usability” guide and wassurprised that it was so much more.
Let’sget a few things out of the way. First, it’s important to note thatPutting People First is a textbook. Nothing wrong with that —just be warned. As such, much of the introductory content offers afairly standard overview of “instructional design”, includingbasics of things like Bloom’s taxonomy and theories of learningstyles. The material is fine, and thorough, but as with othertextbooks, this sort of content is offered as uncontested last-word.I’d like to see a textbook provide some critique of longstanding IDtraditions, at least enough to encourage students to consideralternate viewpoints.
Treklessimilarly discusses Learning Management Systems (LMS) with animplicit message that an LMS is a Good Thing, a point with which I’vetaken issue for nigh on ten years now. And some information, such asthat on learning styles, could benefit from a caveat that there’sno research to support the idea that more “learning” occurs whendesign is adjusted for different styles. Too – and this isn’tthe author’s fault ; I struggle with it in my own work – books goout of date before they can be distributed. So, generalizations from 2005 data on the ‘older’ generation’s willingness to usetechnology – before Facebook existed – are just less credible.
Thoseconcerns aside, though, the book overall offers a readable, solid,extensive, exhaustive, approachable work tightly focused on theposition and needs of the learner in the learning experience. Muchcontent focuses on accessibility as it relates to assorted permanentor temporary impairments (“Imagine surfing the web without usingyour hands or sending an email without seeing the screen”), but agood deal more of the book is germane to the user-first perspectiveof any learner. I don’t think I’ve ever seen as much on planningand setup of physical learning space, and applaud Trekles’ emphasison common sense. Like, for instance, the importance of meeting basichuman needs: someday I’m going to do a train-the-trainer workshopcalled, “Fix the Damn Thermostat Already.” Here her subjectexpertise shines, and she begins to issue some of the challenges Ifelt were missing earlier. My favorite: “Why is it assumed thatevery classroom has a front?” Importantly for those of us outsideacademia and K-12 education, the author lives in an academic worldbut does work to give better than lip service to issues relevant tothose concerned with workplace training efforts.
Someother highlights include in-depth looks at standards and security,and emphasis on the importance of evaluation skills for the onlinelearner. Addressing needs I view as dire among some of my colleagues,Putting People First offers in-depth coverage of accessibilityissues, with useful, conversational discussion of ADA and Section508 requirements. There is also lengthy information on matters ofcopyright and fair use. Trekles includes nice end-of-chapterquestions inviting application and reflective thought, useful forboth an instructor and a lone reader. It’s important to note thatthroughout the book Trekles avoids a prescriptive stance, askingreaders to think through subtleties of issues rather than offerdo-this-not-that advice.
Ina bit of irony: The review copy was delivered to me as a pdf filewith links (no page numbers) to the content. The links didn’twork, making this perhaps the most un-user-friendly document I’veworked with in years. As the book will find its way to most readersvia Kindle or Kindle-related technologies, I assume this problem willnot exist and I will forgive it, but the irony was inescapable. Overall, the book is an excellent resource for anyone engaged in thedesign and delivery of instruction, the administration andimplementation of learning-related technologies, and holds true toits promise of offering a human-focused view of learning.
Trekles, A.M. Putting People First: HumanIssues in Instructional Technology. Zelda 23 Publishing,2009: Available for Amazon Kindle, Kindle Reader for PC, and KindleApp $19.99
