A comparison of the outcomes of instructor-led and interactive video disk-based energy control and power lockout automotive training programs

Controversy has increased regarding merits of research comparing outcomes of different instructional media. This study used existing databases of two studies to compare post-intervention achievement of workers who participated in the Instructor Led Energy Control and Power Lockout (ECPL) training program and workers who participated in the Interactive Video-Disk (IVD) based ECPL training program in a nontraditional setting. The first group was provided the same training program, but used the traditional pedagogical approach that was instructor led.; A total of 378 employees at a major auto company participated in the study. Of this number 286 (75.7%) participants were in the traditional instructor-led group and 92 (24.3%) were in the IVD group. Post-test scores were compared from both studies to determine if significant differences existed due to differences in delivery system.; No significant differences were found in the training outcomes of knowledge, attitude toward safety, trainee perceptions of organizational behavior, trainee perceptions of general management attitude toward safety, on-the-job lockout performance and failure to follow lockout procedures; between the groups that had different types of delivery for instruction during the training.; Based on the lack of significant differences between participants in the IVD and ILA groups on knowledge, it appeared that the content of the training was more important than the instructional delivery method. Attitudes toward training appeared to be similar, although significant differences were found between hourly and salaried personnel.