Text sets (also referred to as linked text sets, multimodal texts, thematic texts, multi texts, focus units, reading across texts, and paired readings or sets) are utilized in classrooms to promote reading, learning, and understanding of multiple perspectives. There has not been an analysis of studies on text sets or on the wide-ranging effects of…

The two interconnected problems of educational quality and piracy are described and analyzed in this book, which begins with an investigation of the accusations regarding the alleged dismal quality of educational software. The reality behind accusations of rampant piracy and the effect of piracy on the quality of educational software is examined…

Drawing from the conclusions of research studies by linguists and psychologists, this paper describes four classes of principles for constructing readable prose for both print materials and computer screens: (1) global principles dealing with a schema-theory approach to discourse type, with topical focus, and with parallelism; (2) sentence-level…

This paper deals with the use of reading workbooks in elementary school classrooms. Sections of the paper discuss the purposes of workbooks, the function of workbooks (how workbooks serve both teachers and students), the implications of these observations about workbooks where developers of basal programs are concerned, and the sufficiency,…

This extensive review of research on the development of print materials covers text readability, structure of the prose, and organizational and format features of the text. Practical guidelines for developing textual materials that can be supported by empirical research are also presented. Conclusions are then drawn from the literature, and areas…

Presents a framework for organizing research and theory in the areas of psychology, pedagogy, and technology as they relate to interactive multimedia; and derives principles and implications for the design of interactive multimedia. Highlights include prior knowledge, the organization and utilization of knowledge, feedback, concept maps, and…

Surveys current state-of-the-art in courseware development for microcomputers; discusses guidelines for overall program and screen display design; describes three major approaches to developing courseware--programing language, authoring system, or authoring language use; and reviews two current research areas--automated instructional development…

Surveys research on programmed instruction, questions, and feedback in instruction to identify guidelines for developing computer assisted instruction. The most important guidelines identified are those related to use of questions as attention, coding, and rehearsal devices, and those related to corrective feedback. (MBR)

This paper provides a critical review of the behavioral research on film music, indicates that there is a visual bias in media attribute research which needs to be balanced, and provides media producers and instructional developers with a theoretical basis and practical guidelines for using music in audiovisual presentations. The question of film…

This report contains summaries and syntheses of materials from the Technical Working Group Meeting for curriculum planning and instructional materials design for vocational and technical education. Chapter 1 gives an overview of the objectives and procedures of the meeting and lists the participants. In chapter 2 are presented summaries of the…

A review of the literature on systematic instructional design suggests that few empirically tested guidelines exist for testing and revising materials during the development stages. The revision process can broadly be based on one of two distinct strategies, internal review or developmental testing. Internal review strategies include referring…

Examines some traditional instructional strategies used to improve textual materials for learning at a distance, including advance organizers, overviews, pretests, objectives, and inserted questions, together with devices in typography and graphics. Research in each area is reviewed and guidelines are given for using each strategy. An extensive…

This article presents a multi-step process and multi-level model to promote access to the general curriculum for students with mental retardation. It discusses the incorporation of the following universal design principles: equitable use, flexible use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error and low physical and…

In a four-section final report with its focus on methodology rather than on findings of particular follow-up studies, this project addresses two needs--to identify, review, and analyze vocational student and employer follow-up efforts at local, state, and federal levels, and to prepare training materials useful to individuals or groups at all…

This document, which is based on the findings of case studies of how four high schools from across the country have successfully implemented the schoolwide career academy model, presents recent developments and best practices in schoolwide career academies. The document consists of a brief introduction describing the case studies and one chapter…