Continuing education can be looked at as a living system and, as such, assessment is viewed as an integral part of the control function. The use of control functions models of assessment provides a living systems point of view and allows for such new and different questions to be posed as: (1) What are the significant levels of perception and…

This research assumes that systematic and systemic change are two components in instructional design (ID)--not dichotomous terms, but two sides of an interconnected dual structured system. Specifically, this paper examines the difference between systemic thinking and systematic thinking, the ideal mental model (dual structured systems) for ID, and…

Describes the reconstruction of a conventional thermodynamics curriculum using the Galperin theory of stage-by-stage formation of mental actions and Landa's description of the "through" systematization of knowledge, and discusses the generalizability of the procedures followed in developing the plan for instruction. A 33-item…

Curriculum developers must work hard to avoid the "what errors" of curriculum development. They must avoid failing to teach what should be taught and teaching what is no longer relevant and needed. Curriculum "what errors" are likely to occur when teachers design courses so as to teach what they know best, what they were…

Developmental research, as opposed to simple instructional development, has been defined as the systematic study of designing, developing, and evaluating instructional programs, processes, and products that must meet criteria of internal consistency and effectiveness. Developmental research is particularly important in the field of instructional…

This review of applications of educational technology in U.S. military training programs from 1960 to 1980 shows how the use of various audiovisual aids led, in turn, to programed instruction, the systems approach to instructional development, and the development of the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Model. More than 30 references are listed.…

This naturalistic study of teacher educators explored the differences between the attitudes of methods teachers and instructional development (ID) teachers toward ID and teacher education. Three faculty members were interviewed in depth, and brief questionnaires were sent to seven faculty members in each of the two fields; responses were received…

This paper examines the relationship between a major instructional feature of the college course, the textbook, and computer based instructional technology. The strategy suggests that the textbook, along with the instructor, assumes the major teaching responsibility and that the computer is used in a supportive role involving information summary,…

The Office of Health Services Education and Research at Michigan State University has clarified the functions of planning, organization, coordination, monitoring, and assessing instructional development projects. Each management function can be applied to the process of instructional development in order for the manager to achieve several…

This paper describes Maine's high standards for all students and a model for personalizing instruction and assessment to fit student needs, thus providing fair opportunities for all children to achieve the standards. Maine's academic standards, the Learning Results, are structured in three levels: broad performance goals for all students (guiding…

The implementation of Taiwan's nationwide constructivist-approach elementary mathematics curriculum has been ongoing for 5 years. From the perspective of systems thinking, Taiwan elementary educational system's mindset as a whole is troubled, and is unable to coordinate with the surrounding community in order to better educational standards. The…

Developers who use the systems approach to training begin developing a lesson by identifying the skills and knowledge to be learned and the kinds of learning experiences required. The next step is to develop instructional segments. These segments include all instructor and trainee activities required to master the skill. Learning segments include…

This description of a method for using task analysis information to derive skill and knowledge requirements in the development of a training course begins by considering two important aspects of deriving skill and knowledge requirements. First, it is argued that task description is an important part of system design and training development in…

The University of Houston-Clear Lake has developed a systematic design process to use in facilitating the development of online distance education courses. The process incorporates three semesters, during which faculty members have the opportunity to consult with a design team that consists of instructional designers, World Wide Web developers,…

The first phase of the process of developing a plan to promote increased use of educational technology by the instructors and students of the U.S. Navy's Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) in Newport, Rhode Island, began with a needs assessment which focused on the mission and organization of the school; the SWOS curriculum and the teaching…