Evaluating Instructional Behaviors for Improved Training Outcomes
Sponsored by: Special Operations Forces Language Office, USSOCOM; Prepared by: ALPS Insights Raleigh, NC
Introduction
In 2007, ALPS Solutions conducted a series of analyses on training evaluation data that were being collected at the United States John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) to determine training effectiveness (Ellington & Surface, 2007). Findings from the analysis showed that a significant amount of variance in post-training language proficiency outcomes was related to the instructor [i.e., 31% variance in Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) listening and 42% variance in DLPT reading]. The fact that instructors appeared to have so much influence on student outcomes led to a series of research studies and interventions designed to improve instructional behaviors and, ultimately, student outcomes. In this summary, we review this research and discuss how the initial problem uncovered by our research led to a successful intervention for students and instructors. … Read more by downloading the PDF.
RECENT INSIGHTS
Training Diagnostics to Improve Learner and Class Outcomes
ALPS Solutions has worked closely with training programs within the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community to evaluate training effectiveness and identify areas where interventions by program administrators and instructors can have a positive impact on learner- and class-level outcomes.
Effective Practices for the Supervision of Instructors
This document highlights findings and recommendations from the Establish Best Practices for the Supervision of Instructors Technical Report, which compares the instructional supervisory behaviors and practices used in Special Operations Forces (SOF) Initial Acquisition Training (IAT) schools to best practices described in the literature, as well as to practices used in language schools external to the SOF IAT community.
Speaking in the Target Language and Impact on Student Outcomes
This document summarizes trends and predictive relationships among instructor and student during-training speaking in the target language (TL) and student proficiency outcomes (e.g., end-of-training OPI results), using data collected from the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community.
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