What task descriptions and task analyses are, how to write task descriptions, and the relationship of task descriptions to instructional objectives are demonstrated in educational settings. A task description is a systematic method of listing the salient features of a task, and identifies the steps or actions that must be taken to perform a task.…

Examines the use of contracting in an instructional development setting at the university level. A sample contract is included and 12 references are listed. (LLS)

Critiques Aptitude-Treatment Interactions (ATI) as a major theoretical foundation for individualized instruction and argues that Content-Treatment Analysis (CTI), which assumes that no one learning treatment is appropriate for all subject content, is more appropriate. It is concluded that CTI should be given a greater role in instructional…

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…

Describes an interdisciplinary (language and educational technology departments) instructional design program that is intended to develop back-up computer programs for students taking supplementary English as a second language classes. The program encompasses training programs, the psychology of screen reading, task analysis, and color cueing.…

This paper presents a model for systematic instructional design that includes mental model analysis together with the procedures used in developing computer-based instructional materials in the area of statistical hypothesis testing. The instructional design model is based on the premise that the objective for learning is to achieve expert-like…

Presents a decision model for planning learner feedback in distance education courses with emphasis on college-level teaching. Knowledge components in information processing models of learning are described, task analysis for learning from text is discussed in terms of comprehension, and criteria for designing learner feedback are examined. (LRW)

This study examined influences upon experienced teachers' course planning. Seven teachers were each intensively interviewed four times about their planning for courses they had never before taught; the interviews took place before, after, and twice during the semester of the "new" course in question. Findings were classified into three categories…

This study compares and contrasts the effects of planning on the instructional behaviors of a group of preservice teachers across two teaching conditions, a plan condition and a no-plan condition. Twelve preservice teachers each taught two 25-minute lessons to classes of 7 or 8 fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-grade learners. Lesson plans were developed…

Designed for an undergraduate level survey course at the University of Alberta on developmental issues over the lifespan, the 43-module package, "Human Development," is an attempt to provide a multi-dimensional model meeting diverse instructional needs of a large teaching department. This paper provides an overview of the total design…

Describes development, use, and evaluation of a self-instructional manual that provides management students with the basic skills required for using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS), a major statistical program available for mainframe computers. (Author/MBR)

This paper describes the use of a management process, Systematic Curriculum and Instructional Development (SCID), for developing online multimedia modules. The project, "Collaboratively Creating Multimedia Modules for Teachers and Professors," was funded by the USWEST Foundation. The curriculum development process involved teams of…

"Task Analysis" is a required course in the Communication, Education, and Training Department at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. A research study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a World Wide Web-based instruction program in the delivery of task analysis content. The program was presented and delivered on the Internet…

Describes how the job characteristics model (J. R. Hackman), used by industrial-organizational psychologists to enhance the motivating potential of jobs in industry, can be applied to increase student motivation. The job characteristics model describes the relationship between the core characteristics of skill variety, task identity, task…