Beyond Two Decades of Motivation: A Review of the Research and Practice in Instructional Design and Human Performance Technology

Abstract

Existing models and methods of instructional design and performance improvement offer promise for enhancement in nearly every area of human resource development. However, they fall short of potential in addressing human motivation in ways that enable workplace performers and their organizations to thrive. This article reviews dominant models for instructional design and human performance technology currently in use, and compares their treatment of motivation in light of recent research in human motivation. The review illustrates an implementation gap between what research demonstrates about human motivation and what current instructional design models make available for use in workplace learning and development. It further underscores the need for a new, integrative, systemic model of motivation to aid in designing instruction by implementing recent research principles in workplace contexts. It calls for a new model of motivation for instructional design that is current, comprehensive, integrative, and flexible to meet the demands of new paradigm human resource development.