Two articles dealing with different dimensions of student learning are discussed for their contemporary relevance. The first, "Culturally mixed groups on international campuses: An opportunity for intercultural learning" by Simone Volet and Grace Ang (1998), examines the factors that encourage students to gravitate towards co-nationals rather than…

Technology-supported education has become increasingly important and popular. Although it has long been claimed that a technology-enhanced learning environment is often more motivating than its traditional counterpart, not too many inspiring empirical studies have been carried out. In this article, the traditional approach in the motivation…

Discusses the relationship between instruction and motivation, describes Keller's ARCS model of motivational design and Gagne's instructional design theory, and explains how they can be integrated and used by instructional developers and designers. An example is given where motivational strategies are matched with appropriate instructional events.…

Discusses the motivational needs of adult learners; reviews motivational instructional design; and describes the development of a needs assessment instrument (the Course Effort Survey Revised) and the Adult Learner-Instruction Interaction Motivation Model which can be used to effectively plan for the motivational needs of adult learners. (Contains…

Designers of distance education must be concerned with learning style, isolation, feedback, pacing, learner control, interaction, motivation, access to resources, and course objectives. Some problems are alleviated by such audiographic technologies as telewriter systems. (SK)

A synthesis of the flow theory of intrinsic motivation of Csikszentmihalyi and the motivational design theory of instruction of Keller is presented. The conceptual integration of these theories is the basis for prescriptions aimed at increasing the level of intrinsic motivation in instruction. The flow phenomenon is described in terms of challenge…

This paper examines the role of learner motivation--elements that arouse, sustain, and direct behavior--as the pivotal factor in education, and urges researchers to consider the motivational state of the individual learner in interaction with the instructional method. It is emphasized that a thorough understanding of the learner's personality, as…

Summarizes the implications of constructivism for instructional systems design in five principles that integrate the affective and cognitive domains of learning. Distinguishing characteristics of the two approaches are described based on a review of recent literature, and examples are offered that discuss learner controlled computer-based…

Discusses the use of interactive design principles for case materials. Topics discussed include the functions of case materials, including bridging theory and practice, problem solving, and motivation; the potential for interaction; considering instructional needs; elements of interaction, including responding, feedback, and branching; and levels…

At 81 years old, Robert F. (Bob) Mager is the granddaddy of modern performance analysis and instructional design techniques. Although he has retired from the profession, he is still actively learning. He is currently working on his fourth novel, and is also an award-winning ventriloquist and is taking flamenco lessons. Perhaps best known in the…

This paper poses and generates the answers to six questions about the use of newer media in education and the areas of disagreement that seem to recur as new media become available for teaching. Cast in the context of videodisks, those questions ask whether: (1) videodisk technology is more effective than traditional media in promoting learning;…

Argues that teachers should capitalize on the importance of television in children's lives and use it as a tool to supplement or enhance live presentation. Suggested uses include illustrating material being taught with examples from popular programs, class activities based on television formats, and instructional television presentations with…

Choi and Clark (2006) argue that learning is attributed to the instructional method rather than the specific medium used to deliver instruction (i.e., the pedagogical agent). Additionally, they consider pedagogical agents as unnecessarily expensive tools, whose instructional affordances can be replicated by less expensive options. In this response…

This review of the role of the metaphor in instruction begins with a brief description of historical thinking on the subject. Modern views of the metaphor as a psychological mechanism rather than just a figure of speech are then presented, with emphasis on reasons why metaphors should be helpful in education. It is noted that the hypothesis that…

Four key areas in the design of computer-based training are transfer of training, interactivity, development of problem-solving skills, and stimulation of learner interest. (SK)