This is the fourth and final installment in a series of articles presenting a new outlook on the methods of instructional design. These articles examine the nature of the process of instructional design and are meant to stimulate discussion about the roles of designers in the fields of instructional design, the learning sciences, and interaction…

This paper identifies three ways that computers are used in educational contexts. The first and most widespread use is as a tutor, i.e., as a delivery system for programmed instruction and drill-and-practice activities. The second use is as a programming environment to teach programming languages such as BASIC, LOGO, or PASCAL. The third use is as…

Reports on major change in computer software development process--the prototype model, i.e., implementation of skeletal system that is enhanced during interaction with users. Expensive and unreliable software, software design errors, traditional development approach, resources required for prototyping, success stories, and systems designer's role…

Presents a conceptual framework for building an intelligent documentation system (IDS) for computer software by integrating hypermedia and expert systems technologies. The need for online computer documentation for end-users is discussed, and elements of the synergetic model are described, including knowledge representation, the hypermedia…

Considers recent developments in literary textual studies, examines characteristics of scholarly editions in paper form, identifies areas in which hypertext would be helpful, and proposes a hypertext model for studying scholarly texts. Improvements to existing software are suggested, and examples from an experimental system using Guide hypertext…

Discusses the value of creating design documentation for computer software so that it may serve as a model for similar design efforts. Components of the software design document are described, including program flowcharts, graphic representation of screen displays, storyboards, and evaluation procedures. An example is given using HyperCard. (three…

Presents the principles of a development methodology for software design based on a nonlinear, product-driven approach that integrates quality aspects. Two examples are given to show that the flexibility needed for building high quality systems leads to integrated development environments in which methodology, product, and tools are closely…

Discusses software engineering and suggests necessary elements in a software engineering curriculum. Topics addressed include the importance of theory, project-oriented education, prototyping, exploratory programing, human-computer communication, thought models, distributed systems, parallel processing, documentation, testing and quality…

Uses a prototype decision problem to demonstrate usefulness of an electronic spreadsheet in analyzing decision trees and performing other types of decision analysis. Advantages and disadvantages of implementing operations research/management science models on electronic spreadsheets are discussed and some do's and don't's are suggested. (Author)

Describes the construction of a model of computer-assisted instruction using a qualitative block diagram based on general systems theory (GST) as a framework. Subject matter representation is discussed, and appendices include system variables and system equations of the GST model, as well as an example of developing flexible courseware. (Contains…

The first of two articles addressing the issue of user documentation for computer software discusses the need to teach users how to read documentation. The second presents a guide for writing documentation that is based on the instructional systems design model, and makes suggestions for the desktop publishing of user manuals. (CLB)

Discusses the nature of instructional design and describes rapid prototyping as a feasible model for instructional system design (ISD). The use of prototyping in software engineering is described, similarities between software design and instructional design are discussed, and an example is given which uses rapid prototyping in designing a…

Discusses the need to reengineer performance development in light of new technologies, concepts, and tools. Topics addressed include current performance development strategies; new models; learning strategies versus training strategies; electronic performance support and software; and the role of the instructional developer. (LRW)

Complex computer and video games may provide a vehicle, based on appropriate theoretical concepts, to transform the educational landscape. Building on the original game object model (GOM) a new more detailed model is developed to support concepts that educational computer games should: be relevant, explorative, emotive, engaging, and include…

Building on the 1983 policy statement developed by the International Council for Computers in Education (ICCE), this statement recommends the adoption of a school district copyright policy, adoption of the suggested software use guidelines, and use of the copyright page of software documentation to ascertain user's rights, obligations, and licence…