There is often a large gap between academic research and the practices being applied in the workplace. There are many reasons for this. Some are real challenges, such as the lack of immediate applicability of much academic research. But often there is just poor communication between the two communities that hinders people from making use of great insights coming out of the ivory tower.
One of my favorite sources of this practical research is the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society’s Annual Meeting. The most recent meeting was held in September 2010. An entire track is devoted to training, and other tracks peripherally address training. In any given year, at least a few dozen papers are presented on training. This conference is unique because the attendees are split between academics and practitioners. There is a considerable amount of productive friction - just enough disagreement that we get into it, but not so much that we lose focus on what matters - generating good insights that we can apply on the shop floor. I am sharing a few of the useful things I learned. For more, search the conference proceedings at the HFES website (HFES.org). You should try to make it to the conference. The most beneficial time is spent outside the technical sessions, interacting with the presenters and other training experts over a cup of coffee.