Discusses the development of a minicourse approach in which three aspects of design and implementation are based on educational technology: a systems approach to curriculum development, application of behavioral theory, and stimulus response chains which are organized as linear sequences of input-process-output cycles linked by feedback loops.…

Gives the reader an overview of the systems approach and provides information necessary to apply the basic concept in designing instructional systems. (Author/JS)

This document defines a performance objective as a clear and measurable learning outcome. Performance objectives are equated with behavioral objectives. This definition is translated into a system that permits teachers to exchange ideas. The operation of the system is demonstrated using as an example six teachers developing a course in auto…

Feedback management in an individually-paced instruction system can be mathematically analyzed by the use of computer simulation models. Because of the student "down time" or waiting time associated with individualized instruction situations, reinforcement activities have been reduced to less than ideal levels. By proper time management the…

A systems approach to effective instructional design that is equally applicable to educational and organizational settings includes six components: (1) needs assessment, (2) systems design, (3) curriculum development, (4) organizational development, (5) feedback and evaluation, and (6) outcomes. The last component, outcomes, provides a context and…

Two types of feedback are examined, and their use in controlling the processes of instructional development and improvement are discussed. Closed-loop feedback, the most direct, uses immediate feedback about a process or product to make immediate adjustments in it. Open-loop feedback, in which input cannot be changed immediately, uses feedback to…

Accompanying the growing concern for environmental control are expanding job opportunities and an ever-increasing demand for trained personnel to fill these jobs. Thus, vocational educators are confronted with the need to design and develop programs to train needed personnel. To do this in the most effective way, educators need to: (1) assess the…

The Cognitive Developmental Early Childhood program at Pennsylvania State University has formulated a program, curriculum, and evaluation system guided by Piagetian theory. The evaluation system described in this paper is a result of an intensive examination of the purposes and types of evaluation systems for their compatibility with the Piagetian…

Continuous curriculum revision in community/junior colleges can be provided by treating the curriculum as a self-correcting set of systems with feedback loops and marginal sensors which supply information needed for constant system evaluation. This curriculum-related set of sub-systems is comprised of the institution, the curriculum, programs, and…

The Florida State model of computer-managed instruction (CMI) differs from other such models in that it assumes a student will achieve his maximum performance level by interacting directly with the computer in order to evaluate his learning experience. In this system the computer plays the role of real-time diagnostician and prescriber for the…

After a detailed history and definition of Computer-Assisted Instruction (which identifies drill and practice, tutorial, and problem-solving activities as comprising CAI), the development and implementation of a college level computer based multimedia physics course is described as an example of tutorial activities in CAI for those interested in…