Design and Delivery of Training for International Trainees: A Case Study

One problem faced by instructional designers in multinational corporations is designing training for use with other cultures, while using resources effectively. A naturalistic case study approach was used to determine which conditions international students bring to technical training are the most critical and which aspects of the delivery of instruction are affected most critically by those traits. Respondents included students from several countries, as well as instructors. The most critical traits were value differences and language difficulty. These affected all aspects of training, but most critically the needs assessment and the instructional strategies. Critical instuctional strategies include reiterating concepts in several ways and using visuals, clear and active language, and relevant and specific examples. Effective strategies also include allowing more time for instruction, building in frequent breaks, and using media that use multiple senses and allow students to go at their own pace.     

Procrastination—Not all it's put off to be

Although procrastination has devastating negative effects on performance, many of us employ common myth‐like justifications for it, thereby attempting to alleviate the guilt and stress that commonly accompany putting things off when we know we should not. Working better under pressure, being more creative at the last minute, and avoiding tasks because of perfectionism are three rationalizations that we often give for delay. The consequences of procrastination include missed deadlines, health and financial problems, guilt, stress, and work that isn't our best. To overcome a tendency to procrastinate, focusing on avoiding it is not the best response. Instead, adopting a task‐oriented, problem‐solving focus or set of strategies can work even for people with a long history of putting things off. These strategies include increasing the perceived value of a task, adjusting expectations for success, reducing impulsive temptations, and approaching larger projects or those with longer timelines in smaller segments with progress checks along the way. Procrastinators can learn how to change their approach to getting work done and thereby reduce their tendency to delay.