When job aids attack: On the social history of dubious job aids

Abstract

Abstract In this article we introduce the job aid as a cultural artifact in specific historical social contexts. Framing job aids as such within a broader context of social history enables human resource development (HRD) researchers and practitioners to reflect critically on training and development with a perspective on social justice vis‐à‐vis social responsibility. With the use of a targeted literature review, we present two historical cases of questionable job aids, specifically, in the so‐called patent medicines of the early 20th century and the job aids used for training the Hitler Youth. Lessons learned from social history include recognizing the fundamental role that culture has in shaping not only what actions adult learners carry out, but also how the job aids can memorialize their performance. Further, it is posited that introducing the dimension of social history to training offers a more thorough and robust inquiry to critical HRD.

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