Between 2010 and 2019, ETR&D experienced increased publication of a specific type of research that does not provide useful knowledge to the instructional design field. This type of research is research to prove, which entails pitting an incumbent, "traditional" learning experience against a new, innovative learning experience that…

This article describes instructional theory that supports post-industrial education and training systems--ones that are customized and learner-centered, in which student progress is based on learning rather than time. The author discusses the importance of problem-based instruction (PBI), identifies some problems with PBI, overviews an…

Utilizing heuristic task analysis (HTA), a method developed for eliciting, analyzing, and representing expertise in complex cognitive tasks, a formative research study was conducted on the task of e-learning course development to further improve the HTA process. Three instructional designers from three different post-secondary institutions in the…

Describes the theory-base of the TICCIT system, summarizes some recent advances in instructional theory for sequencing and synthesizing related parts of a subject matter, and describes three major implications of those advances for the design of future theory-based CAI systems. (Author)

Discusses the concept of a new paradigm for ISD (instructional systems design). Topics include characteristics of industrial-age versus information-age organizations; the current paradigm of education and training; implications for instructional theory, including learning-focused theory; and implications for the ISD process, including a sample…

Discusses advantages and disadvantages of the lecture method as an instructional form; circumstances where lectures serve a useful purpose; the general lecture model, which includes an introduction, presentation, and summary; and three variations on this general model--interactive, demonstrational, and interactive demonstration lectures. (MBR)

Describes the elaboration model of instruction and the six major steps for implementing it. (JEG)

The discussion of the critical analysis of instructional design is framed within Habermas' three fundamental human interests: technical, practical, and emancipatory. The primary goal of this paper is to explore alternative approaches for instructional designers' reflection and critique. Ultimately, this reflection and critique should shed light on…

Comments on the preceding article which examined elaboration theory and offered suggestions for updating it to reflect new knowledge. Highlights include the simplifying conditions method; internal versus external knowledge structures; connectionism and authentic tasks; content structure as organizing structure; ill-structured domains; and…

The Structural Strategy Diagnostic Profile Project developed the elaboration model of instruction as a superior alternative to standard instructional sequencing based on hierarchical task analysis. The theory construction phase, the first of two phases, identified the instructional variables, postulated cause-effect relationships, and proposed…

This project summary explains the development of the elaboration model of instruction, an alternative approach to standard instructional sequencing. There were two phases to the project--the theory construction phase, which identifies the instructional variables, postulates cause-effect relationships, and proposes optimal configurations of…

Four types of fundamental structures are briefly described and illustrated: the learning hierarchy, the procedural hierarchy, the taxonomy, and the model. Then a theoretical framework is presented for classifying types of subject matter content, and some implications of these content classifications are discussed. (VT)

Defines the discipline of instructional science, discusses its applications, and reviews three instructional models--the component theory display, elaboration theory of instruction, and motivational design of instruction--to illustrate the kind of integrative, multi-perspectived common knowledge base needed at this point in the development of…

Presents a single integrated set of procedures for both analysis and design of instruction according to the Elaboration Theory. (JEG)

In this article, the authors comment on Eric Fox's description of functional contextualism which makes several contributions to instructional design and technology (IDT). They agree that functional contextualism does indeed provide some "theoretical clarity and philosophical cohesion," not just for constructivism, but also for understanding…