Resumen de Developing accountability in instructional systems technology
Accountability is a key concept in management literature, where it is normally used to imply a liability to realise the objectives and duties of one's position. However, the term is not commonly found in the literature of education and training, although few would deny the basic premise that teachers and instructors should be held accountable for the effectiveness of their learning programs. The introduction of accountability, though, into a general systems approach has widespread implications, which may even extend to a payment‐by‐results scheme of one sort or another. This paper examines the relevancy of the concept, and then discusses three main forms that accountability may take. These are: the accountability of educators and trainers to society, the accountability of teachers and instructors to realise agreed objectives, and finally the accountability of students and trainees to realise the learning objectives for which they have assumed responsibility. Education vouchers, performance contracting and management by learning objectives are then described as examples of these three forms.
“ The average human being learns, under proper conditions, not only to accept but to seek responsibility. Avoidance of responsibility, lack of ambition, and emphasis on security are generally consequences of experience, not inherent characteristics.” (Douglas McGregor)
