Describes the manner in which an analysis of Gagne's Domains of Learning will yield comprehensive behaviors that can serve as models for program and curriculum design. (Author/JJD)

Discusses training costs and methods for evaluating the effectiveness of training. Topics addressed include tracking training investments; tracking individual and business performance, including measurement techniques; research designs for analyzing performance; demonstrating return on investment; reasons for low return on investment; and ways to…

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)

Argues that factors that create a feeling of interactivity in the human situation--response time, spontaneity, lack of distractors--should be included as prime elements in the design of human/machine systems, e.g., computer assisted instruction and interactive video. A computer/videodisc learning system for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and its…

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)

Discusses instructional strategies that can be used in any skill domain and uses Gagne's conditions of learning as a model to suggest internal and external conditions of expertise. Differences between experts and novices are examined, including the amount of information they can bring to a new situation, the organization of that information, and…

Describes environment analysis as the part of instructional design's front end analysis that looks at the context in which the instructional product will be used. Physical and use factors of the instructional environment and support environment are considered, and an environment analysis job aid is included. (three references) (LRW)

This serious look at humor for the practicing performance technologist reviews reasons for using humor in instruction, summarizes existing theories of humor, and outlines some steps toward a method for adding humor to instruction. Three tables illustrating heuristic approaches to humorous instruction are included. (Author/JL)

Describes basic concepts in the field of general systems theory (GST) and identifies commonalities that exist between GST and instructional systems design (ISD). Models and diagrams that depict system elements in ISD are presented, and two matrices that show how GST has been used in ISD literature are included. (11 references) (LRW)

Discusses the instructional systems development (ISD) model which consists of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation; and concludes that a precontract phase should be included where standards can be specified. The need for this initial phase is considered in light of commercial vendors and the need to bid competitively. (LRW)

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…

Discussion of the roles of the instructional design specialist (IDS) and the subject matter expert (SME) in designing effective instruction for a training program focuses on the role of the SME. Characteristics of four consulting models are described, and stages of the SME/IDS relationship are summarized. (LRW)

Discusses the roles of visual thinking, visual rehearsal, and introspection in educational technology, and suggests that instructional designers should externalize their internal representations and involve the internal and external representations of content specialists and learners in the instructional design. Fifteen references are listed. (MBR)

Examines the consulting process and explains the roles of the client, the internal training and development consultant, and the external consultant. Topics include identifying the need; contracts; training program design and planning; delivery of the training; and evaluation. (LRW)

Reviews the traditional formative evaluation model used by instructional designers; summarizes Kirkpatrick's model of evaluation; proposes the integration of part of Kirkpatrick's model with traditional formative evaluation; and discusses performance-context formative evaluation. (three references) (LRW)