A proposed reconciliation of conservative and liberal approaches to instructional design

Abstract

The conservative approach to instructional design assumes training can be based upon general models of learning and an analysis of the skill. The liberal approach assumes students need to develop individually appropriate strategies for skill performance. The reconciliation of these two approaches is proposed through the organising concept of 'transfer of training'. Conservative approaches best support transfer to anticipated contexts. Liberal approaches best support transfer to unanticipated contexts. A combination of both approaches may lead to safe and efficient performance in defined situations as well as the flexibility to cope with novel situations.