Allison Rossett

  • Professor Emerita of Educational Technology, San Diego State University
  • Trustee; Vice Chair, Academic Affairs Committee (Board of Trustees), Arcadia University
  • Assistant Professor; Coordinator, Graduate Program in Educational Media, Herbert H. Lehman College, City University of New York
  • Director, Instructional Design Center, City College of New York (CUNY) – School of Education
  • Founder and Principal, Allison Rossett & Associates
  • Member, Board of Visitors, Defense Acquisition University
  • Advisory Board Member / Contributor, The Learning Guild
  • Advisory Board Member / Contributor, Chief Learning Officer (Human Capital Media)
  • Board Member (Secretary/Vice President), Diversionary Theatre
  • Board/Team Member, Forever Balboa Park
  • International Board Member, American Society for Training & Development (now ATD)
  • Officer/Leader (past vice president roles), International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)

[email protected]

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Total Citations
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PR Journals
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Top Conf
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Other Works
Awards & Honors
ISPI Honorary Life Member (Member‑for‑Life)

International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)

HRD Hall of Fame

Training magazine

Distinguished Fellow

Naval Education and Training Learning Strategies Consortium

Golden Disc for Meritorious Service

Arcadia University Alumni Association

Guild Master Award

The Learning Guild (formerly eLearning Guild)

2013
Thomas F. Gilbert Distinguished Professional Achievement Award

International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)

2011
LEGEND recognition for lifelong contributions

Association for Talent Development (formerly ASTD)

2008
Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning and Performance Award

Association for Talent Development (formerly ASTD)

2002
Past Positions

Professor of Educational Technology, San Diego State University

–2011
Education
B.A., English
Arcadia University (1968)
Ed.D., Educational Technology
University of Massachusetts
Biography

Dr. Allison Rossett is a Professor Emerita of Educational Technology at San Diego State University (SDSU). A longtime scholar–consultant in learning, instructional design, performance analysis, and performance support, she authored or edited six influential books, including First Things Fast, Beyond the Podium, Job Aids and Performance Support, and The ASTD E‑Learning Handbook. In addition to her university work, she has advised corporations and government agencies on learning strategy and technology-enabled performance solutions, and has served on boards for The Learning Guild and Chief Learning Officer. Honors include ISPI’s Thomas F. Gilbert Distinguished Professional Achievement Award and Training magazine’s HRD Hall of Fame. She retired from SDSU in 2011 and continues to consult and write. citeturn22search1turn2search1turn24search0turn19search7

Theories & Frameworks
First Things Fast (Performance Analysis) Framework

Rossett’s step‑by‑step approach to front‑end performance analysis that equips practitioners to rapidly diagnose needs, gather and interpret data, communicate findings, and link recommendations to evaluation and business outcomes. Delivered with templates and job aids, it emphasizes blends of learning and on‑the‑job support.

Introduced: 1998
Job Aids Design Framework

A structured approach to designing and implementing effective job aids and performance support, specifying seven core formats (e.g., checklists, decision tables, flowcharts) and a lifecycle from problem identification and media choice to piloting, revision, and governance.

Introduced: 1991
Research Interests
  • Blended Learning
  • Mobile Learning
  • Needs Assessment and Performance Analysis
  • Performance Support
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles & Top Conference Papers
2

International Journal of Learning Technology • Journal

Allison Rossett

Argues that performance support has become integral to how people work and learn, with help systems ranging from enterprise platforms to mobile reminders and simple paper notes. Drawing on industry trend data, the article frames a shift from classroom delivery to technology‑enabled, just‑in‑time support, and offers implications for design and evaluation of ‘knowledge everywhere’ solutions. citeturn12search3

Community College Review • Journal

Allison Rossett

Reports a study of community college faculty approaches to curriculum planning and the extent of course modification in response to societal change. Findings indicate vocational faculty were more outwardly directed than academic faculty, and that the amount and depth of course revision decline with increasing teaching experience. citeturn15search1

Other Works
6

eLearn Magazine (ACM) • Journal

Allison Rossett

A practitioner essay examining why enterprise adoption of mobile learning and mobile performance support lags behind enthusiasm. Based on survey results and expert commentary, the piece highlights barriers—mindsets, tooling confusion, and equating ‘mobile’ with courses—while offering questions and a checklist for teams to move from talk to action. citeturn9search1

Pfeiffer/Wiley • Book

Allison Rossett

A substantially updated guide to front-end performance analysis that helps learning and performance professionals quickly diagnose needs and opportunities, plan interventions, and communicate findings. The book introduces practical job aids, templates, and examples for gathering data, linking analysis to evaluation, and leveraging social and web tools. It emphasizes shifting support closer to work, blending learning and performance support, and adding organizational value through focused, rapid analysis. citeturn11search0turn11search1

Pfeiffer (Wiley/Jossey‑Bass) • Book

Allison Rossett

Defines and advances performance support—tools and resources that help people perform at the moment of need. The book explains when and how to design effective job aids and other supports, detailing formats (e.g., checklists, decision tables, flowcharts), development steps from analysis to piloting, and strategies for implementation alongside training. It argues for ‘knowledge everywhere,’ bringing guidance into everyday work via digital and mobile means. citeturn23search4turn23search2

McGraw‑Hill/ASTD • Book

Allison Rossett

An edited compendium offering practical guidance on planning, designing, and managing e‑learning. Contributions from leading practitioners cover strategy, implementation, evaluation, and resources; the volume aims to improve results from investments in e‑learning and provides references to key organizations and events in the field. citeturn4search3

Wiley/Jossey‑Bass • Book

Allison Rossett

Explores how the digital age reshapes training and development, blending fundamentals with emergent directions such as e‑learning, informal learning, knowledge management, and globalization. Through examples, interviews, and practitioner resources, the book reframes the trainer’s role, emphasizing performance, analysis, evaluation, and technology options for organizational impact. citeturn12search0

Educational Technology Publications • Book

Allison Rossett

Classic practitioner’s guide to analyzing training needs. Introduces core concepts, diagnostic techniques (extant data review, subject‐matter analysis), and practical tools (interviews, observations, questionnaires) for planning and communicating results of training needs assessments aligned to organizational performance problems. citeturn23search1