The design of problems is crucial for the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL). Research has shown that PBL problems have not always been effective. Ineffective PBL problems could affect whether students acquire sufficient domain knowledge, activate appropriate prior knowledge, and properly direct their own learning. This paper builds on…

Storyboarding, the process of sketching visual and narrative information to plan media productions, can be an effective tool for designing instructional materials. Storyboarding enables organization and sequencing, expansion and reduction of content, text development, selection of production medium, and formulation of sensitive evaluation…

Discusses three issues related to the use of positive and negative examples during instruction: sequence, quality, and quantity of examples. Some possible resolutions based on available research evidence and theoretical work in the field are suggested. Twenty-eight references are listed. (Author/LLS)

Describes the steps in developing an instructional audiovisual presentation: (1) the conceptualization stage (identify goals and instructional objectives); (2) the planning stage (define skills and instructional sequence); and (3) the development stage (take slides, write story line, evaluate field test data, and revise). (LC)

Discussion of the development of instructional multimedia materials focuses on a study of undergraduates that examined how the use of visual icons affected learning, differences in the instructional effectiveness of visual versus auditory processing of the same information, and timing (whether simultaneous or sequential presentation is more…

Discussion of the educational effectiveness of textbooks focuses on a model of a virtual textbook that relies on hypermedia. Highlights include changing roles of teachers, students, and content; systemwide features of the virtual textbook, including interface and object-oriented design; classroom environment; sequencing; and a prototype. (Contains…

Examines issues related to the way a teacher acting as instructional designer deals with the content or knowledge base of the instructional materials being developed, including the nature of knowledge, learners' schemata, organization of content, facilitating abstract thinking, and standards of accuracy for knowledge representation. (24…

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…