Presents an instructional development model that incorporates formative evaluation techniques, and explores the possible application of the model in developing computer-assisted instruction courseware. Advantages and disadvantages of this approach are identified and implications for research on formative evaluation are discussed. (31 references)…

Focuses on the first of three stages of the path evaluation procedure for instructional software, performing the preliminary evaluation. The three main steps involved in preliminary evaluation are (1) a program is chosen for evaluation; (2) information is exchanged with the faculty developer; and (3) the instructional designer reviews the software…

Describes a study conducted to determine prevalence of educational software field testing by producers, number of teachers and students participating, evaluation criteria used, whether documentation includes field test results, field test value, and other evaluation methods utilized during product development. Textbook versus software evaluation,…

Describes a computer program that allows undergraduate students to undertake nomenclature tutorials in organic chemistry, where user response is evaluated based on a set of rules that determine appropriate feedback. Design of the software is described, including the use of computer graphics, and results of students' evaluations are briefly…

Discusses highlights of a literature review on guidelines for formative evaluation of courseware and the development of a formative evaluation instrument by the Kanata High Technology Training Association (Ottawa). The eight dimensions of the resultant questionnaire are listed and a copy of the evaluation instrument is included. (MBR)

Discusses the development and field testing of a prototype genetics tutor program for microcomputers written in Turbo Pascal. A preliminary field test with undergraduates is described that was used as formative evaluation, and suggestions are given for designing a more effective tutor that uses additional intelligent computer-assisted instruction…

Solutions Unlimited is a computer/video project developed by the Agency for Instructional Television (AIT) in collaboration with a consortium of state, provincial, and local education agencies. The goal of the project is to improve the problem-solving skills of students in grades 6 through 8 through the use of brief instructional television…

Discusses the importance of both formative and summative evaluation of instructional design technology in educational and business settings. Topics discussed include interactive video, computer assisted instruction, courseware, industrial training methods, cost effectiveness, learner performance data, current research, computer simulation, and…

Describes Pathfinder, a microcomputer software package designed to improve students' understanding and skills in interpreting graphs of physical phenomena which was tested in high school math classes. Differences in strategies between various ability levels are reported, and student interactions based on observations and interviews are discussed.…