This first in a series of articles on an instructional development project management model discusses the role of the project manager, and outlines the phases of the model that is used to meet training needs. Highlights include project planning, instructional development (including creating the materials), and followup (including evaluation). (LRW)

Traces the historical development of instructional technology and human resources development (HRD) as professions out of the instructional media field. Highlights their differences and similarities as disciplines and as professions. The importance of instructional media, professional development, and professional cooperation are discussed. (JL)

Presents a procedure for creating and using an instructional development tracking system, an information management system which utilizes tables, graphs, and charts to help handle the mass production of instructional materials. The application of each step of the procedure to a fictional project is described to illustrate the process. (MBR)

Outlines procedures involved in the formative evaluation of training materials in a draft stage before they are produced in their final form. The project manager's role is described, guidelines for conducting the tests and determining revisions are given, and worksheets to use in the process are provided. (LRW)

Describes a project at Bell Laboratories which sought a compromise between ideal formative evaluation procedures and more feasible procedures necessitated by restrictions on time and resources. Local-trial and field-trial stages of a phased approach are discussed, as well as the benefits of field-tests. (EAO)

Examines certain common professional characteristics that unite instructional developers across a variety of settings, and addresses the question as to whether a strong case can be made for providing developers with a common approach to their training. (Author/MER)

Compares and contrasts the current development of needs analysis and needs assessment through a review of the literature, and offers recommendations designed to restore systems thinking to front-end analysis in organizational and instructional development. The roles of needs assessment and needs analysis in a performance technology model are…

Describes a situation within an organization where a new problem-solving and decision-making program was being instituted and the development of a preparation program to acquaint program leaders with the changes. Objectives of the preparation program and elements of the guide and video that were utilized are discussed. (MBR)

Contains a partial inventory of sales training strategies and video techniques that heighten viewer involvement and promote transfer of learning to performance situations such as selling. These strategies have been used by Monroe Systems for Business, a manufacturer and distributor of business calculating equipment which recently expanded its…

Describes an adaptation of the Component Display Theory to a corporate training setting where the principal developmental effort was done by content experts. An overview of the Component Display Theory is included with a case study illustrating the application process. Examples of the resultant training products are included. (MBR)

Describes the process by which Learner Verification and Revision (LVR) transforms information gathered during learner verification into revision prescriptions for the development of instructional materials. Robinson's and Gropper's procedural models for formative evaluation are also discussed and a study comparing the effectiveness of materials…

Examines the importance of human systems as a relevant aspect of development processes and looks at the career anchor model proposed by Schein as a possible area in the analysis of the instructional developer/client relationships. Fourteen references are listed. (Author/LLS)

Suggests that academic programs need to further demonstrate that graduate courses and job experience can supplement each other in career development by specifying the applicable cognitive and psychomotor skills that can be developed and developing a closer relationship with the employment community. (Author)

Describes an in-house instructional development process designed to enhance curriculum documentation. Highlights include front end analysis; establishing a Curriculum Review Advisory Board that includes an instructional systems designer, management personnel, and subject matter experts; use of the objective worksheet; use of the lesson plan form;…

Reviews the basic assumptions of two paradigms of inquiry, the rationalist and the naturalist, to determine which one provides the best fit for one-to-one formative evaluation of instructional materials focusing on learnability issues. Conclusions suggest the naturalistic assumptions are more suitable. (13 references) (LRW)