APTD Flashcards Study Guide 2025

4-D Cycle - is the approach used in appreciative inquiry consisting of four phases: discovery, dream, design and destiny. 360-Degree Feedback Evaluation - is based on opinions and recommendations from superiors, direct reports, peers, and internal and external customers on how a person performs in any number of behavioral areas. Accelerated Learning (AL) - is the practice of using a multimodal, multisensory approach to instruction to make learning more efficient. It's accomplished by honoring the different learning preferences of each learner and using experiential learning exercises (such as role plays, mnemonics, props, and music). Accomodation - is part of Piaget's constructivism theory to describe how a learner must reshape or change what they already know (more substantial change than assimilation). Accomplishment - is the specific outputs a performer is asked to achieve Action Research - is either research initiated to solve an immediate problem or a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a "community of practice" to improve the way they address issues and solve problems. Active Training - is an approach that ensures that participants are involved in the learning process. Active learning is based on cooperative learning, in which participants learn from each other in pairs or small groups. Some examples of active training include group discussions, games, simulations, and role plays. ADDIE - is an instructional systems development model composed of five phases: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Adult Learning Theory - is the collective theories and principles of how adults learn and acquire knowledge. Popularized by Malcolm Knowles, adult learning theory provides the foundation that learning and development professionals need to meet learning needs in the workplace. Affective Objective - is a learning goal that specifies the acquisition of particular attitude, value, or feeling. Affinity Diagrams - is a tool used to organize a large number of ideas (often generated by brainstorming) into logical groups based on a natural relationships among the ideas. Each idea group is defined and labeled. (See also Interrelationship Digraphs). The tool is effective when a group of people need to make a decision. After Action Review (AAR) - was first developed by the U.S. Army to encourage individuals to learn for themselves after an activity, project or task by evaluating and analyzing what happened, why, and how to improve performance Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - is legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in 1990 that prohibits discrimination in employment, public services, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications services against persons with disabilities. An individual is considered to have a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. The ADA prohibits discrimination in all employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Analysis - is a systematic examination and evaluation of data or information that breaks it into its component parts to uncover their interrelationships. In training and development, these are some common analyses: training needs analysis, training design analysis, root cause analysis, job analysis, and SWOT (a matrix analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats). Also, in the ADDIE model Analysis, the first phase, is a process of gathering data to identify the who, what, where, when, and why of the design process. Analytics - is the discovery and communication of meaningful patterns in data, for example, talent management analytics refers to the use of HR and talent data to improve business performance. Andragogy - (from the Greek meaning "adult learning") is the method and practice of teaching adults and advanced by Malcolm Knowles whose theory is based on five key principles of adult learning: self-concept, prior experience, readiness to learn, orientation to learning, and motivation to learn. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) - is an approach to large-scale organizational change that involves the analysis of positive and successful (rather than negative or failing) operations. The AI 4-D cycle (discovery, dream, design, destiny) includes identifying areas for improvement, analyzing previous successes, searching for solutions, and developing an action plan. Assessment Center - is a process that organizations use to determine candidates' suitability for a job and may include a variety of activities such as simulations, problem analysis, interviews, role-plays, written reports, and group exercises. Assimilation - is part of Piaget's constructivism theory to describe how a learner "fits" an idea into what they already know. Asynchronous E-Learning - is technology-based learning in which the trainer and the learner do not participate at the same time or in the same location. Asynchronous Training or Learning - is learning in which the trainer and the learner do not participate simultaneously; for example, asynchronous e-learning. ATD HPI Model - is a results-based, systematic process used to identify performance problems, analyze root causes, select and design solutions, manage solutions in the workplace, measure results, and continually improve performance in an organization. Audience Analysis - is conducted to gather data about a target population, demographics, and other relevant information prior to job analysis, training, or other solution. Audio - is one-way delivery of live or recorded sound. Authoring Tools - are software programs that allow a content expert to interact with a computer in everyday language to develop courseware. Balanced Scorecard Approach - is a strategic planning and management system for measuring and tracking an organization's performance through four perspectives: the customer, learning and growth (or innovation), internal business processes, and the financial Behavioral Career Counseling - is a scientifically precise approach to career decision-making that leverages concepts from psychology. Behavioral Objective - is a goal that specifies a new observable skill or knowledge that a learner should be able to demonstrate after training or a learning event. Behaviorism - is a learning theory focused on observable and measurable behavior. It is usually associated with psychologist B.F. Skinner to predict that animal and human behavior occurs through conditioning, the reinforcement of desired responses. Benchmarking - is a measure of quality by comparing ones business process metrics to standard measurements or the best industry measures. The purposes of benchmarking are to compare and analyze to similar items to learn how other organizations achieve performance levels and to use this information to make improvements. Best Practices - are techniques that are believed to constitute a paradigm of excellence in a particular field. Blended Learning - is the practice of using several media in one curriculum. It refers to the combination of formal and informal learning events such as classroom instruction, online resources, and on-the-job coaching. Block Diagram - more often called a flowchart, is a drawing of a system in which the principal parts or functions are represented by geometric shapes (squares or rectangles) connected by lines that show the relationships of the parts to each other; terminology is most often used in electronic, software, and hardware design. Blog (weblog) - is an extension of a personal website consisting of journal-like entries posted on a webpage for public viewing; usually contain links to other websites along with the thoughts, comments, and personality of the blog creator. Bloom's Taxonomy - developed by Benjamin Bloom, is a hierarchical model used to classify learning into three outcomes or domains: cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (attitude)—referred to as KSAs. The domain categories use verbs to define behavior in a hierarchical relationship that becomes progressively more complex and difficult to achieve in the model. Useful for writing learning objectives. Brainstorming - is a group process for generating multiple ideas through spontaneous and unrestrained participa-tion of all group members. Broadband - is a high-capacity transmission technique using a wide range of frequencies, which enable a large number of messages to be communicated simultaneously. Browser - is a software program for finding and viewing information on the Internet. Internet Explorer and Google Chrome are two common browsers. Business Analysis - is the process of identifying and clarifying primary organizational goals, targets, or needs. Business Awareness - is the understanding of key factors affecting a business, such as its current situation, influences from its industry or market, and factors affecting growth. Having business awareness is essential to strategic involvement with top management. Business Intelligence (BI) Tools - are systems that retrieve, analyze, and report data to help organizations make more informed strategic decisions or identify inefficient processes; can range from spreadsheets to sophisticated software for querying, data mining, or predictive analysis. Business Process - is how people, materials, methods, machines, and the environment combine to add value to inputs to produce a product or service; a series of structured tasks that produce a product or service (output) for a customer. Business Process Analysis - is a structured method of observing and documenting related processes and functions to uncover hidden inefficiencies or highlight strengths that could be leveraged to increase productivity. Buzz Group - is a small, intense discussion group usually with two to three people responding to a specific question for a very brief time period during a learning event. Call to Action - is a written action plan that acknowledges a current situation and expresses specific goals and action steps, timelines, and expected outcomes; may be used in coaching situations. Career Advising - isprofessionalguidanceformakingvocationandoccupationdecisions;mayincludedevelo pment optionsrequired. Career Advisor - is a professional responsible for helping individuals grow and develop in preparation job options; also called a career coach. Career Profile - is a summary statement that highlights a person's work history, skills, and competencies. Case Study - is a learning method in which a real or fictitious situation is presented for analysis and problem-solving. Cause-and-Effect Analysis - is a technique that helps identify all the likely causes of a problem and uses the fishbone or Ishikawa diagram. Chain-of-Response (COR) - is a model that asserts that adult participation in learning is not an isolated act but results from a complex series of personal responses to internal and external variables that either encourage or discourage participation in learning. It was popularized by Patricia Cross in 1981. Chaos and Complexity Theory - are two different concept models that are referenced during change management. Chaos theory is the study of how simple systems can generate complicated behavior, whereas complexity theory is the study of how complicated systems generate simple behavior. Characteristics of Adult Learners (CAL) - is a framework developed by Patricia Cross to describe why adults participate in learning. Cross synthesized research about motivations and deterrents to adult learning, incorporating assumptions of andragogy into the framework as a means for considering the changing adult developmental stages. Chat Room - is a synchronous feature used in virtual training events that allows participants and facilitators to send text or auditory messages in real time to interact; used similarly as a breakout room in a live classroom situation. Chunk - is a discrete portion of content, may consist of several learning objects grouped together to improve learnercomprehensionandretention;(verb)instructionaldesignersbreakdownandgroup, orchunk,largerpieces of information into smaller, easier-to-process units. Closed-Ended - is a form of question that seeks to limit the information collected requiring a yes/no or specific content response; used to check for understanding or test for consensus. Coaching - is a widely used term with multiple definitions. In an "official" coaching relationship, defined by the International Coach Federation, coaching is "a professional partnership between a qualified coach and an individual or team that supports the achievement of extraordinary results, based on goals set by the individual or team. Through the process of coaching, individuals focus on the skills and actions needed to successfully produce their personally relevant results, "but it is not counseling, mentoring, training, or giving advice. Coaching may also be used on- the-job where a more experienced person, often a supervisor, provides constructive advice and feedback to develop or improve the performance of an employee. Codec - (short for coder/decoder) encodes a data stream or signal for transmission, storage, or encryption, or decodes it for playback or editing. Codecs are used in videoconferencing, streaming media, and video editing applications. Cog's Ladder - is a team development model with the following stages: polite, purpose, bid for power, performance progress, and synergy. Cognition - is the mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through the five senses, thought, and experience. The word dates back to the 15th century, meaning thinking and awareness. Cognitive Dissonance Theory - states that when contradicting beliefs occur, the human mind invents new thoughts or beliefs or to modify existing beliefs to seek consistency and minimize the amount of conflict between beliefs. Cognitivism - is a learning theory which attempts to answer how and why people learn by attributing the process to inner mental activity (thinking, problem solving, language, concept formation, and information processing) and how information is processes, stored, and retrieved. Collaborative Learning - is an instructional approach in which two or more learners work together to discover, learn, solve problems, and share information either in person or online; may be used by facilitators to encourage engagement and involvement. Collaborative Learning Software - includes platforms for virtual classrooms and meeting spaces, and for collaborative work. Community of Practice (CoP) - is a group of people who have a common interest in an area of competence and who share the experiences of their practice. Competency Modeling - is a corporate initiative designed to align the skills and knowledge of employees with the organization's strategic goals. Competency-Based Learning - is an instructional approach that focuses on individual skills or outcomes, known as competencies (usually defined in a competency dictionary created from occupational analysis of skills required for successful performance). The approach is focued on individual learners who work on one competency at a time and can skip a learning module if they can demonstrate mastery of the skills contained within it. Applied most often to skills-based learning. Complex Systems - is a structure featuring numerous components whose processes are not linear, but are self-organizing. Studying the networks within the whole structure produces patterns that help to understand the whole system. Complexity Theory - is the study of how complicated systems generate simple behavior and generally refernced in change management. Computer-Based Training (CBT) - is any course of learning that encompasses the use of computers in both instruction and management of the teaching and learning process; there is no generally-accepted single definition since many other terms are included under the CBT term including computer-aided instruction, computer- managed instruction, computer based instruction, and others. Concurrent Validity - is the extent to which an instrument agrees with the results of other instruments administered at approximately the same time to measure the same characteristics. Confidence Interval - is the defined range where a set of values are expected to be within. Confirmative Evaluation - is a process that is applied after the results of summative and formative evaluation have been completed for some time to provide assurance that instruction is still effective well into the future. Conflict Management - is the ability to limit the negative aspects and increase the positive aspects of disagreements, battles, and differing opinions and desires. Conflict of Interest - is a situation between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust where the person may derive personal benefit from specific actions. Confounding Variable - is an unknown or uncontrolled extraneous factor that produces an unexpected effect in an experimental setting; an independent factor that the evaluator didn't recognize or control that may explains away some of the correlation. Construct Validity - is the degree to which an instrument represents the variable, such as a skill, it is supposed to measure. Constructivism - is a learning theory that states that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences and reflecting on those experiences. Swiss developmental psychologist, Jean Piaget, was a key proponent of constructivism proposing that learners construct knowledge from assimilation and accommodation. Content Management System (CMS) - is a computer software system that supports the creation, organization, and modification of digital documents and other content by multiple users for an organization's web content or digital assets Continuous Variable - is a quantifiable data point or element that can be can be broken down into smaller and smaller units (for example, time, speed, distance) and can be seen along a scale Control Group - is a group of participants in an experiment that is equal in all ways to the experimental group except for having received an experimental treatment (for example, a group that has undergone training versus a group that has not). Correlation - is a measure of the relationship between two or more variables; if one changes, the other is likely to make a corresponding change. If such a change moves the variables in the same direction, it is a positive correlation; if the change moves the variables in opposite directions, it is a negative correlation. Cost-Benefit Analysis - is a type of return-on-investment analysis used to prove that an initiative either paid for itself or generated more financial benefit than costs. Counseling - is the professional assistance or guidance provided to individuals to evaluate and resolve personal, social, or psychological difficulties and to learn more productive behavior patterns. Covariates - are the multiple dependent variables in a study with multiple independent variables. Criterion - is a measure, gauge, scale, or standard on which a judgement or decision may be based. Criterion Validity - is the extent to which an assessment can predict or agree with external constructs, determined by looking at the correlation between the instrument and the criterion measure. Criterion-Referenced - is a kind of test or assessment that measures learners performance against a specific set of predetermined criteria or standards. Culture Audit - is an assessment used to examine current practices, programs, and processes and identify how culturally appropriate they may be for multi-cultural or global audiences. Cumulative Frequency - is the running total of data points or elements of a class up to a current point and all the data points or elements below it. Current Capability Assessment - is a measure of an organization's talent and how current skills match the needs of the organization now and in the future. Data Collection - is the act of gathering of all facts, figures, statistics, and other information that is used for analyses and assessments; examples of data-collection methods or tools include questionnaires, interviews, and observations. Data Mart - is a specialized version of a data warehouse that provides insight into operational data, such as trends thatenablemanagementtomakestrategicdecisions.Datawarehousesholdlargeamounts ofdetailedinformation on many subjects; data marts often hold summarized information on a single subject. Database Management System (DBMS) - is software or a collection of software that enables users to access and manipulate data. Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) Methodology - is a five- step data-driven improvement process used for reduction of defects, process improvement, and customer satisfaction; the core tool used to lead Six Sigma projects. Delivery - is any method of transferring content to learners, including instructor-led training, virtual training, CD-ROM, and books. Dependent Variable - is what is affected during an experiment because its outcome is the reaction to the independent variable and covariates. Design - is the second phase in ADDIE when objectives are determined and planning occurs. Desire - is a strong wish for something; in TD refers to the inability for training to improve employees' performance if they are not motivated (desire) to improve performance. Development - is knowledge, skill, or attitude acquisition that prepare people for new directions or responsibilities. It may also refer to their third phase in ADDIE in which training materials and content are selected and developed based on learning objetives. Developmental Feedback - is a coaching term that focuses on the future and is designed to improve performance or prepare a person for the next level of effort. Dichotomous Variable - is a quantifiable data point or element that falls into one of two possible classifications, for example, gender (male or female). An artificially dichotomous variable is imposed for classification pur-poses, for example, age classified as retired (65) or not retired (65). DiSC Personality Profile - is a behavior assessment tool based on the work of William Molton Marston that provides a four-dimensional model and four profiles: dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness. Discovery Learning - is a specific learning process in which learners encounter a problem in an activity, respond to the problem, identify useful knowledge or skills gained, debrief what was learned, and plan for transfering what they learned; also known as experiential learning or experiential learning activity (ELA). (See also Experiential Learning Activity (ELA)). Discrete Variable - is a measure in which the data points are in whole numbers, for example, number of children or the number of defects cannot be in fractions. Disenchantment - is a reaction to change distinguished by the feeling of being disappointed with something and no longer believing that it is good or worthwhile; in change managment disenchanted employees may become negative or angry and seek support. Disengagement - is a reaction to change when an individual appears to lose interest and initiative. Disidentification - is a reaction to change when employees feel that they have lost their identities and become vulnerable. Disorientation - is a reaction to change when employees feel lost and confused, do not know where they fit in, or what they feel. They do not know the priorities or the direction, and therefore, spend time determining what should be done instead of how to do it. Distance Learning - is an educational delivery in which the instructor and students are separated by time, location, or both. Distance learning can be synchronous or asynchronous. Double-Loop Learning - is changing underlying values and assumptions as decision making progresses; also referred to as reframing or changing the context. E-Learning - is a term covering a wide set of applications and processes, such as web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms, and digital collaboration. Delivery of content may take place via the Internet, intranet or extranet (local area network [LAN] or wide area network [WAN]), audio- and videotape, satellite broadcast, interactive television, CD-ROM, and more. Effect Size - is a way of quantifying the difference, using standard deviation, between two groups. For example, if one group (the treatment group) has had an experimental treatment and the other (the control group) has not, the effect size is a measure of the difference between the two groups. Electronic Bulletin Board - is the computer equivalent of a public note board where messages can be posted to a bulletin board for viewing and responding by other users; also called a threaded discussion. Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS) - is software that provides just-in- time, on-demand information, guidance, examples, and step-by-step dialog boxes to improve job performance without the need for coaching by others. Electronic Text - is the dissemination of text via electronic means. Emotional Intelligence - is the ability to accurately identify and understand one's own emotional reactions and those of others. This eighth intelligence, based on Gardner's multiple intelligence theory, was popularized by Daniel Goleman in his book, 1990s book Emotional Intelligence. Enabling Objectives - are goals that define the skills and knowledge learners must achieve during a learning event; they are also called supporting objectives because they support terminal objectives by breaking the terminal objectives into manageable chunks. (See also Terminal Objectives.) Engagement - is a heightened emotional connection that employees feel for their organizations that influence them to give greater discretionary effort to their work. Higher engagement levels yield higher productivity and retention rates. Environment - is the setting or condition in which an activity occurs; is a factor that affects human performance and can include tools, equipment, furniture, hardware and software, and physical conditions, such as light, heat or cold, ventilation, and so forth. Environmental Analysis - is a process in the strategic planning process that determines an organization's strengths and weaknesses (internal) and opportunities and threats (external); also known as a SWOT analysis. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - is the governing body that dispenses regulations to govern the hiring, promotion, and discharge of employees, as well as training guidance. ERP - is the abbreviation for enterprise resource planning, which is business management software, typically a suite of integrated applications that an organizations uses to collect, store, manage, and interpret data from all business activities and departments. Evaluation - is a multilevel, systematic method for gathering data about the effectiveness of training programs. Measurement results are used to improve the offering, determine whether the learning objectives have been achieved, and assess the value of the training to the organization. Evaluative Feedback - is a coaching term that focuses on the past and is designed to grade performance such as in a formal performance-appraisal process. Expatriate Adjustment Training - is a delivery of knowledge and skills employees and their families receive before departing for an assignment in a foreign country; may include language training. Experience-Centered Instruction - is a philosophy of adult learning that focuses on the learners' experience during instruction and the production of fresh insights. Experiential Learning - is a specific learning process in which learners participate in an activity, review the activity, identify useful knowledge or skills that were gained, debrief what was learned, and transfer what was learned to the workplace; also known as discovery learning; (See also Experiential Learning Activity (ELA)). Experiential Learning Activity (ELA) - is a specific learning process that emphasizes experience and reflection using an inductive learning process that takes learners through five stages: experiencing, publishing, processing, generalizing, and applying.