While instructional design's technological roots have given it many approaches for process and product improvement, in most cases designers still rely on instructional forms that do not allow them to develop instruction of a quality consistent with that expressed by the field's visionary leaders. As a result, often the teachers and students using…

John R. Savery is Professor of Education and Director of Instructional Services at the University of Akron. His research and teaching interests focus on problem-based learning and technology-rich learning environments. As Director he supports faculty integration of instructional technology across the spectrum, from traditional classrooms to…

Examines the term interactivity as it is used in educational computing, and suggests that by applying deconstructive criticism new perspectives may be gained. Discusses learner control, non-linearity, and flexibility, and concludes that interactivity is not a conceptual unity. (LRW)

Describes electronic performance support systems (EPSSs) that can enhance performance and reduce training times and costs. Provides examples of EPSSs; explains why instructional designers and trainers should be interested in EPSSs; and discusses design considerations, including part task/whole task support, embedded versus linked, and user…

Examines changes in the "supersystem" of instructional systems design (ISD) that indicate the need for a paradigm of training and education based on learning instead of sorting students. Emphasizes the necessity of developing initiative, teamwork, thinking skills, and diversity, as well as new learning-focused instructional theories and…

Discussion of educational systems design describes four systems levels that can be emphasized: learning experience, instructional, administration, and governance levels. Factors to be considered in selecting a focus level and the implications of focusing on the learning experience level are discussed; and a table comparing instructional and…

Describes instructional strategies used in project-based introductory instructional design courses taught at Purdue and Florida State Universities. Discusses use of reflective summaries instead of quizzes, in-class demonstration of sample student projects, project-based application assignments, "mastery approach" (students revise and…

Describes the NETg (National Educational Training Group) approach to instructional design where training products and content are developed to meet clearly defined learning objectives. Illustrates how "instruction" is more than "information." Discusses implications of learning in the Information Age and what is in store for the…

Discussion of learner control in instructional management describes six learner control methods: (1) content control; (2) sequence control; (3) pace control; (4) display or strategy control; (5) internal processing control; and (6) advisor strategies. Relevant literature, both theoretical and empirical, is reviewed, and learner control and…

Defines the components of self-regulation ability--learners' ability to participate actively in their learning: as strategic knowledge, self-efficacy, ownership, mastery orientation, and self-reflection. Presents guidelines for promoting self-regulation ability through instructional design that incorporates these components. (AEF)

Discusses a constructive approach to instructional hypermedia. Highlights include attributes of hypermedia, including links and nodes, multimedia environments, nonlinear access to information, and interactivity; instructional applications that stress the learners' active interaction and their control of the learning process; associative or…

Discussion of the use of intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) highlights the role of the teacher. Experiences at Gallaudet University with the Geometry Proof Tutor (GPT) are related, future expectations for ITSs are suggested, and an ideal intelligent instructional system is proposed that considers the social nature of education. (13 references)…

Describes the Hypertutor Model, a message design framework for interactive instructional systems that emphasizes learner control, presentation, practice, feedback, and learning resources. Problems with software designed for computer assisted instruction are examined; hypertutor systems are discussed; and MegaMentor, a hypertutor system at the…

This article examines the concept of interactivity and discusses human-to-human interactivity versus computer-to-human interaction in education. Levels of communicative interdependence are explained, variables that are important ingredients of interactivity are discussed, learner control is discussed, and two interactive instructional systems are…

Examines constructivism in online learning, suggesting that part of the cause of the gap that exists between educational theorists and science instructors about how subjects can be taught appears to be due to different beliefs about what it is possible to learn. Illustrates a scientist's approach through examples of an online course designed by…