Heuristic Models for the Generation of Aptitude-Treatment Interaction Hypotheses

Researchers in the field of instruction are becoming more amenable to the idea of aptitude-treatment interactions (ATI) as opposed to the search for the one best method or instructional treatment. In fact, the number of studies in which are deliberately sought is increasing rapidly. Yet, ATI research still seems to work on the basis of trial and error. Many would agree with Cronbach and Gleser (1965) that aptitude information is useless in adapting instruction to individuals unless aptitude and treatments interact. However, no conceptual tools have been developed with which specific can be either theoretically interpreted or deduced from a rationale. Shulman (1970a) comments that ATI's are likely to remain an empty phrase as long as aptitudes are measured by micrometers and environments by divining rod. Bracht's (1970) summary only corroborates Shulman's statement. In his summary of ATI studies, Bracht found only a handful of them to be of much value. Many of them were simply uninterpretable.