Describes a seven-level taxonomy intended to assist design teams to produce more generalized, flexible media to support instruction. The levels are defined as jargon and definitions, component point recognition, awareness of purpose, components of usage skill, awareness of sequences, skill performance or application of relationships, and…

Describes a study that investigated color combination preferences of three- to six-year-olds performing a simple perceptual task on a microcomputer screen. Comparisons with Swedish research are made, implications for the production of educational materials for young children are discussed, and suggestions for further research are made. (10…

Discusses development and use of Open Learning Institute's computerized course development and production systems which solved some of the inherent problems in course writing. A network of microcomputers which facilitates preparation of production-ready manuscripts and course authoring templates constructed from word processing software is…

Describes the background to and the aims, development, production, and testing of the Improving Port Performance project initiated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to provide training for port managers in developing countries. The content and approach of the first set of materials produced are outlined. (MBR)

Discusses what it is about home learning that creates a need for study skills improvement and the study skills required for successful home learning (information processing and personal skills, and support strategies). The role and responsibilities of educational technologists in helping learners to acquire effective study skills are considered.…

An exploratory study sought reactions from adult students to study materials provided for them in an independent study program. This study is part of an effort to improve instructional materials for distance education by relating the actual study strategies used by students to instructional design components. (EAO)

Reviews current findings of empirical research on older adult learning, notes key differences in how older adults and young people learn, and suggests strategies that could be used to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of instruction designed for the elderly. (33 references) (Author/LRW)

Considers three aspects of computer assisted instruction (CAI), i.e., instructional program design, software tools needed for their realization, and assimilation of CAI in the classroom; discusses developments in CAI; and outlines techniques of knowledge representation arising from artificial intelligence and their value for student modelling and…

Discussion of problems encountered in educational software development in Japan is the second of a two-part series on evaluation of Japanese microcomputer-based software. Problems associated with content, learner attitude, and graphics presentation are described, and future challenges in simulation and integrating courseware with other teaching…

Description of a study which formulated a model of the cognitive processes involved in learning statistics material via computer assisted learning (CAL) focuses on mode of presentation (aural or visual), sequence of the material, and previous mathematical experience. Textual analysis is discussed and implications of the results for design of CAL…

This study evaluated the Computer Aided Grading Exercises (CAGE) authoring system on ease of creating programs, popularity of such programs, ease of progression through created exercises, and transfer of learning. Subjects were 12-year-olds with moderate learning difficulties. It was found that the system produced popular exercises and engendered…

Describes study that compared the attainment gains of Guyanan secondary school children in science and geography following two different learning regimes, i.e., systematically designed learning materials, and conventional teaching. Implications of the results for curriculum design and teacher training are discussed. (Author/LRW)

Describes a British study with undergraduate accountancy students which compared the quantitative and qualitative effects of three types of embedded tasks or questions--relational-semantic, transpose-semantic, and non-semantic--on learning outcomes. Variables investigated included mathematical background, recall, and comprehension. Relevance of…