Proposes guidelines to enable the consistent and thorough review of instructional interactive video packages. Presented in outline form, the evaluation criteria include package information, documentation and support materials, role of the computer in instruction, role of video and audio in instruction, and the computer videodisc mix. (CLB)

Briefly discusses three different approaches to instruction and differences between education and training, and proposes a system for categorizing different types of instructional software currently available: memorization software for education (drill and practice) and for training (simulations), and performance aid software (intelligent computer…

Raises critical management issues and proposes guidelines for technical management of large-scale development of courseware with complex content. Discussion covers the technical management of such a project as it relates to organizational structure; leadership shifts throughout the design process; prototype development; and the systematic process…

Briefly discusses current views of the way anxiety decreases students' learning from instructional software and describes ways software designers might compensate for the learning problems of anxious students. (MBR)

Discusses repurposing content for computer-assisted instruction. Topics addressed include cost reduction; cost effectiveness; instructional quality and consistency; design issues; database design, including organizing information for repurposing and the use of courseware; and examples derived from multimedia and hypermedia applications. (LRW)

Explains abductive reasoning; compares it to more traditional forms of logic, i.e., deduction and induction; and describes a computerized tutorial called A.R.T. (Abductive Reasoning Tool) that was created to foster abductive reasoning. Implications of using abductive techniques in instructional design are suggested. (Contains 13 references.) (LRW)

Focuses on the first of three stages of the path evaluation procedure for instructional software, performing the preliminary evaluation. The three main steps involved in preliminary evaluation are (1) a program is chosen for evaluation; (2) information is exchanged with the faculty developer; and (3) the instructional designer reviews the software…

Provides examples of senior management development courses that demonstrate ways in which technology is used to enhance management training; briefly discusses characteristics that distinguish the senior manager target population from other training populations; and describes computer hardware and software characteristics appropriate to training.…

Reviews current research on different learning styles and capabilities of experts and novices which may guide software design: memory, cognitive processing, and performance differences; automatization, and coping strategies. Procedures which may enhance expert and novice performance when built into software are outlined. (MBR)

Describes methods used by instructional designers to help subject matter experts (SMEs) create effective courseware, balanced between theory and practical application, that meets organizational objectives. A case study is presented that explains how to develop student performance objectives (SPOs) through needs assessment, the design of job aids,…

Arguing that good screen design is an important part of good instructional design for computer-based training, this article describes how to design screens to facilitate learning and provide for appropriate student-computer interaction. Topics discussed include general text and graphics design, screen layout, use of color, and effective design for…

Discusses factors which influence performance when authoring multimedia instructional materials, including background knowledge, resource accessibility, learning and teaching styles, learning or job setting, access to expertise, performance support, cooperative learning, tutorials, models, online training, and expert guidance. (Contains six…

Describes criteria developed to determine which of three existing computer-based training lessons could be repurposed into a multimedia format. Reasons for repurposing, types of criteria generated to determine the instruction's repurposeability, and lessons learned from the evaluation experience are covered. (Contains 13 references.) (KRN)