Based on both practical experience and theoretical studies, this manual provides the foundation for the design of effective distance education teaching materials. An overview presents an outline model of major design considerations for correspondence materials that provides a context for design decisions, with categories chosen to assist in the…

Briefly discusses current views of the way anxiety decreases students' learning from instructional software and describes ways software designers might compensate for the learning problems of anxious students. (MBR)

Presents an approach to microcomputer courseware design that follows the engineering systems model and discusses areas of expertise needed by courseware designers, key courseware design questions, the accompanying teacher's guide and its components, and evaluation criteria teachers need to remember before purchasing instructional programs. (MBR)

Design considerations for speech training systems include the types of information about speech to be used in training, whether acoustic or physiologic; and the use of models of speech production, whether partially perceptual and partially knowledge-based or explicit data-based models. A taxonomy of speech training systems is presented.…

Briefly describes stages of the systematic design process for educational software including learning goals identification; considering medium suitability; developing performance objectives, criterion-referenced tests, and instructional strategies; and product evaluation and dissemination. Events of instruction are discussed in detail as they…

The concept of environmental design cybernetics is explained, and its use by special educators and architects in creating learning environments is discussed. A proposed habitability framework is defined, and its applications to buildings and building occupants/users are offered. Research on architectural design applied to special education…

Describes guidelines for an online public access catalog (OPAC) workstation that will support the terminal, printer, and other peripherals. Workstation dimensions, lighting, wire management, printer and paper, acoustical treatment, seating, storage for books and coats, wastebasket, and interior decoration are addressed. Flexibility and simplicity…

A model for the development of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is presented for the college classroom teacher. The following common software design models that have been helpful in developing CAI models are briefly reviewed: composite or structural design model, Jackson model, META stepwise refinement model, and higher-order software model.…

Directed towards academics involved in preparation of distance learning materials, this guide emphasizes the functions of audiotapes within an integrated set of distance learning materials. Planning, production, and evaluation advice is offered, beginning with a discussion of a model approach that focuses on consideration of budget, subject…

Designed to be used as a model for workshop planning, this report describes the development and implementation of a series of four summer workshops, entitled "Computers Plus," which were designed to increase the computer literacy of teachers and administrators. Intended to provide introductory students with basic concepts, hands-on…

Describes a project that is a part of an "Architects in Schools" program in England in which students were challenged to redesign a small structure on the school grounds. Discusses the student tasks involved, including the development of scale models, and the evaluation of the design. (TW)

This resource presents the functional effects of chronic disabilities in order to aid those persons who must plan environments usable by persons with disabilities. The guide does not concern architectural accessibility per se, but rather discusses designing the worksite to be usable by a disabled person. In the guide, drawings are provided for…

Discusses ways that supercomputers are being used in the manufacturing industry, including the design and production of airplanes and automobiles. Describes problems that need to be solved in the next few years for supercomputers to assume a major role in industry. (TW)

This "how to" workshop guide provides an overview of the entire videodisc authoring and production process through six individual modules. Focusing on project planning, the first module provides guidelines, procedures, and job aids to help each instructional development team member effectively use the videodisc medium. The second module…

Based on a doctoral dissertation that involved a study of the nation's 100 most successful school computer systems, this report summarizes the study's purpose, scope, methodology, resultant model, general observations, and future implications. The model is divided into two major sections: (1) strategic planning activities, focusing on computer…