A review of Project Themis, which focused on the computer as a teacher, is presented. Descriptions of research into four related areas of strategy are first provided. These research areas are: 1) learner strategies focusing on the internal cognitive and personality processes of the learner who is involved in computer-based learning tasks; 2)…

Contends that comparison studies offer one important view from which to frame questions about the study of distance education. Responds to Farhad Saba's ("Toward a Systems Theory of Distance Education") major premises about distance-education research. (AEF)

Although there has been much criticism of research and development activities in the field of education, the criticism has not been aimed at the real problem. The large amount of uncoordinated research activities and the lack of pre-planned linkages between research and practice has led to the existence of an expensive cottage industry in…

This study investigated the development of effective large-group instructional materials which are relevant and meaningful to the general studies biology student. The criterion of student interest guided the selection of birth, birth control, and genetic counseling as topics for developing relevant prototype instructional materials. These…

A review was made of current practices, problems, and related efforts to improve public education. It showed that teachers have been asked to perform an impossible instructional task, and to improve public education a systematic study of the important relevant variables must be initiated. These findings need to be implemented in systematic…

Discusses limitations of "Comparing Distance Learning and Classroom Learning: Conceptual Considerations," Smith and Dillon's physical science view of educational technology. Suggests that a systems approach is necessary to describe distance education and define a set of principles and rules for its effective use, as well as a set of criteria to…

AS THE EDUCATOR FACES DECISIONS ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY, HE NEEDS PRACTICAL RESEARCH ON WHICH TO BASE HIS DECISIONS. A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO RESEARCH, RATHER THAN A PIECEMEAL ONE, IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE. SUCH AN APPROACH COULD EMPLOY SIMULATION TECHNIQUES, WHICH DIFFER FROM CONTEXTUAL ONES PRIMARILY IN SCOPE AND CONTROL, AND WHICH CAN DEAL WITH A WIDE…

Although computer applications in the commercial and scientific realms have expanded tremendously, only a small number of the computers in the public schools are utilized for instructional purposes, and an even smaller number are capable of CAI applications. The terminal objective of Project REFLECT is the design of a model plan which could be…

As a first step in a systematic approach to instructional design, an attempt is made to develop public linguistic systems which would permit a designer to communicate with his colleagues. Abstracting general principles of design from fields other than education, an organized body of instructional design concepts emerges. These concepts are then…

A symposium was sponsored by the American Society for Engineering Education; experts in the fields of technology, economics, and pedagogy gathered to evaluate the potential technological advances in terms of cost-effectiveness and feasibility within the existing educational framework, and to help delineate the ways in which educational…

Multimedia can significantly improve education, but only to the extent that their impact is perceived and planned for. Planning mig t be accomplished in a comprehensive, multimedia development laboratory, organized around methodology and functions rather than equipment or facilities. Such a laboratory might plan, supervise, evaluate, and influence…

Following an introduction of the systems approach for handling information, a proposal is made for an educational data system for the South Carolina school system. Input data provided by schools, school districts, and professional personnel are to be processed for use primarily by various units of the State Education Department. This department…

A model of the educational process and a derived procedure series for implementing an individualized instruction system are presented. The application of computer technology to individualized instruction requires an operational definition of the educational process in terms of school practices. A process model involving three major sets of…

Seeking to determine the extent to which educational technology is represented in the field of language instruction, this study presents a three-part survey of historical developments and current practices in this area. Part One examines the development of programed instruction in the language field, while focusing on research and development at…