UPDATED 2/2007 People regularly ask me what books they should buy. I put together a list of books that I regularly recommend. I review a LOT of books and update this list frequently... check back often. These links will take you to Amazon.com but many can be purchased elsewhere as well.

Patti's recommendations for: online learning . instructional design and assessment, graphic design, information architecture, usability

online learning
New! Patti's Online Learning Idea Book is now available. 95+ proven ideas to improve technology-based and blended learning.		Making Sense of Online Learning Basic overview of online learning tools, technologies, design, infrastructure, and evaluation. Written especially for folks new to technology-based learning.
E-Learning Tools and Technologies The hardware and software used to create and deliver e-learning.		Designing Web-Based Training Practical information about how to use the Web for learning.
instructional design and assessment
Writing Training Materials That Work A practical guide to for designing instruction with concrete prescriptions for teaching different kinds of skills.		Mastering the Instructional Design Process Step-by-step through the instructional design process. Includes CD-ROM filled with sample forms and checklists.
Criterion-Referenced Test Development This book is a critical reference for those who need to develop valid learning tests.		Performance Based Evaluation How to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of myriad types of learning programs.
Multimedia Learning Summarizes years of research about how we learn from both words and pictures. Important information.		How to Measure Training Results Practical advice and tools for selecting and measuring data critical for evaluating training.
Situated Learning : Legitimate Legitimate Peripheral Participation A must read for adult educators. How we really learn... many, many implications for what we do.		Building Expertise How people gain expertise and how instruction must support it. Very important implications for our work.
Instant Case Studies: How to Design, Adapt, and Use Case Studies in Training Procedures for developing case studies and ready-to-use (or adapt) case studies.
graphic design, information architecture, usability
The Non-Designer's Design Book All instructional developers need to know something about graphic design... this one is terrific for beginners.		Creating Graphics for Learning and Performance Explains how to produce effective and appealing graphics for instruction
Information Architecture for the World Wide Web How to organize content and design navigational schemes for the Web. Important implications for instructional developers.		Don't Make Me Think: Common Sense... My favorite first book on Web usability... to assure that users can really use the stuff we build. Fun, too.
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information	Visual Explanations	< These books contain essential how-tos and why-tos for presenting all kinds of visual information. Important insights for our field.