The stars closest to Earth are not particularly remarkable or exciting. They are average stars typical of the spiral arms of our Milky Way galaxy. In fact, until recently, most astronomy and Earth science textbooks ignored all but the largest of them to focus on distant, more exotic objects like red supergiants or black holes. The recent discovery…

This article first describes some general criteria that can be applied to the development of any type of learning materials. Second, the article lists criteria for creating CLIL (content and language integrated learning)-specific learning materials, and provides examples of how to apply each proposed criterion whilst also providing a corresponding…

Traditionally, learning is provided in a unidirectional manner from instructor to learner. This practice can be limiting to all individuals involved in the learning process. To develop quality instructional materials, the learning team can participate in instructional design and development (ID) as partners. This article discusses a proposed…

Successful implementation of historical approach to teach nature of science (NOS) requires suitable curriculum material. Several research and development projects have produced lesson plans for science teachers. 25 lesson plans from four different projects involved in creating curriculum material utilizing historical approach in chemistry…

The development of online learning materials is a complex and expensive process that can benefit from the application of consistent and organized principles of instructional design. This article discusses the development at Brigham Young University of the online portion of a one-semester course in Swahili using the ADDIE Model (Analysis, Design,…

Presents a procedure for creating and using an instructional development tracking system, an information management system which utilizes tables, graphs, and charts to help handle the mass production of instructional materials. The application of each step of the procedure to a fictional project is described to illustrate the process. (MBR)

The University of Sydney is a large, research-intensive, campus-based Australian University. Since 2004 a strategic initiative of project-based eLearning support has been creating teams of non-academic and academic staff, who have worked together to develop online resources to meet identified needs. The University's aims in continuing to provide…

Many teachers find developing a new lesson or course quite difficult. It would be nice to have all necessary information, lesson plans and assessment materials ready at hand. But most often, they find themselves on their own when it comes to lesson and course development. The author faced this situation when he was asked to develop a lesson on…

Identifies stages in the process of educational software development: pre-specification stage in which educators identify the software's educational considerations; specification stage in which educators and programers work together to develop the program; documentation stage; field testing stage; and support stage. (MBR)

Explains the function of computer programing languages, noting the difference between high and low level languages, and describes the concept of authoring systems which enable nonprogramers to develop computer-assisted instructional materials. Eight programing languages and their educational applications are listed. (EAO)

Describes an adaptation of the Component Display Theory to a corporate training setting where the principal developmental effort was done by content experts. An overview of the Component Display Theory is included with a case study illustrating the application process. Examples of the resultant training products are included. (MBR)

Makes a distinction between the instructional development which only translates present curriculum into more effective instruction and that which develops both curriculum and instruction. A management structure for developing materials of the "translation" variety is outlined and a writing and programing technique--information mapping--is…

The first of two articles designed to provide guidelines for the instructional development phase of instructional systems development focuses on general instructional methods supporting all instructional tasks. Teaching methods that support selective attention, processing in working memory, and connecting in long-term memory are described and…

Describes the stages in the development of the life insurance game 'Your Money or Your Life'--a board game designed to give students preparing for professional insurance examinations a better understanding of the nature, purpose, and scope of life insurance--and how the game is played. (EAO)

This paper focuses on the development of the Learning Activity Package (LAP). The first part of the paper discusses the structure of the LAP, including its components (i.e., title, rationale, objectives, content, learning activities, student review, post-evaluation, pretest, alternate activities, management directions, and teacher supplement) and…