This study tested the effects of two instructional aids in a complex, dynamic environment, specifically, a business simulation. Participants studied (1) a "causal map," which depicted key variables in an interconnected network, (2) a textual outline of the same relationships, or (3) no-aid. With the relevant aid still available, the participants…

In this paper we explore students' engagement in a new media enhanced problem-based learning (PBL) environment and investigate the characteristics of these environments that facilitate learning. We investigated both student experiences using a new media enhanced PBL environment and the specific elements students found most supportive of their…

The notion of generic design, while it has been around for 25 years, is not often articulated, especially within Newell and Simon's (1972) Information Processing Theory framework. Design is merely lumped in with other forms of problem solving activity. Intuitively it is felt that there should be a level of description of the phenomenon which…

Presents a model of information processing that demonstrates how to facilitate knowledge acquisition. Various instructional strategies designed to reduce the effect of impositions are described, such as use of novelty, mystery, and questioning techniques; reducing complexity of instructional messages; and the automaticity of secondary skills. (JKP)

Describes ways in which algorithms which refer to underlying procedures should be represented in order to improve communication in educational and/or training materials. Representations of linear procedures, decision rule procedures, and complex procedures are provided. (MER)

The need for effective information processing in business and education has created a big market for multimedia technology. This article discusses a study of the project management techniques of successful multimedia developers (proposal writing, instructional design team assembly, marketing). The interview questions are appended. (LRW)

The goal of the present project was to identify the types of knowledge necessary and useful for competent troubleshooting/debugging and to examine how new approaches to formal instruction might influence the attainment of competence by students. The research focused on the role of general strategies in troubleshooting/debugging, and how they might…

The role of information-processing task analysis in linking psychological theory to instructional practice is illustrated with reference to reading. Two detailed information-processing models of decoding skills are compared to show how psychological considerations suggest the superiority of one model over the other as a basis for instruction.…

A Word Problem Program was set up to teach elementary school students how to solve arithmetic word problems and to teach some problem solving skills applicable to nonword problems. All instruction is accomplished through a computer program. Goals of the program are described along with three basic instructional decisions and the reasons for them,…

The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) how different types of dynamic visual facilitate the achievement of specific types of educational objectives; (2) whether the use of dynamic visualization influenced the amount of time needed by learners to process the information; and (3) whether there is an interaction between the amount of time…

The technology, symbol systems, and processing capabilities of a medium interact to provide unique opportunities for information access. This exploratory study examines the way that learners process videotaped materials on a familiar or unfamiliar topic as informed by text-based research. A variation of the think-aloud method of assessing…

Examines the relationship of the amount of available short-term memory with the complexity of tasks the subjects mastered. Presents some hints for a better design of instruction. (YP)

During the year 2000, 1,737 students were randomly selected to represent 231,000 students participating in 1,350 JROTC programs in three regions of the United States. The intention of this study was to identify whether a dominant learning style preference would be revealed for this student population as compared to the learning style of the…

A study among college students investigated the effects on the developing knowledge system of the second-language learner of two different types of instruction: instruction as manipulation of output, and as structured or focused input processing. Results support the input-processing perspective and the salience of the role of input. (43…

Describes algorithms and shows how they can be applied to the design of instructional systems by relating them to a standard information processing model. Two studies are briefly described which tested serial and parallel processing in learning and offered guidelines for designers. Future research needs are also discussed. (LRW)