Compares and contrasts the current development of needs analysis and needs assessment through a review of the literature, and offers recommendations designed to restore systems thinking to front-end analysis in organizational and instructional development. The roles of needs assessment and needs analysis in a performance technology model are…

Examines the importance of human systems as a relevant aspect of development processes and looks at the career anchor model proposed by Schein as a possible area in the analysis of the instructional developer/client relationships. Fourteen references are listed. (Author/LLS)

Argues that instructional development (ID) faculty in higher education settings should use a systematic approach grounded in ID principles to present the case for filling vacant positions in their field and provides guidelines for using message design techniques to develop a file to support the case. Eight references are listed. (MER)

This examination of programed instruction both as a product and a process lists Bullock's Thirteen Questions to check the extent to which an instructional program can be viewed as programed instruction and explains the rationale behind them. It also clarifies some common misconceptions about programed instruction. (EAO)

A technique that consultants may use to help their clients define, value, and assess goals, the card sort may be used to establish goals for systematic designs addressing instructional, individual, or organizational problems. Examples illustrate its use and three references are listed. (Author/CHC)

Traces the history of military efforts to systematize the design, development, installation, and operational training for a weapons system and discusses the current status of criterion referenced instruction in Army training programs. Steps being taken to remedy identified problems are described. (MER)

Distinguishes between the process and products of science and describes the role of each in Instructional Development (ID). The observe, hypothesize, test components of the scientific process are examined as they apply to front-end analysis, instructional strategy description, and formative evaluation stages used in ID models. Thirty-four…

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.…

Instructional development projects in Medical Terminology and Orientation to Hearing Aids are reviewed to demonstrate the procedural steps used and the interactive dynamics employed by development teams at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Six references are provided. (MER)

Focuses on learner verification and revision (LVR), a systems approach to the evaluation of instructional materials in which materials are tested with students. Using this method to adapt internationally available materials to local needs is discussed. A flow chart of the LVR adaptation process and 31 references are included. (JJD)

Characterizes the Job Corps experience as the first significant application of the systems approach to instructional development, and discusses the project's mission, trainees, training environment, training programs, needs assessment, student learning units, group training techniques, effectiveness in preparing trainees for jobs, and cost…