Instructional designers who are asked to convert existing training materials into computer-based training (CBT) must take special precautions to avoid making the product into a sophisticated page turner. Although conversion may save considerable time on subject research and analysis, courses to be delivered through microcomputers may require…

The design team approach to the development of computer based learning (CBL) courseware relies heavily on the effective communication between different members of the team, including up-to-date paperwork and documentation. This is important for the accurate and efficient overall coordination of the courseware design, and for future maintenance of…

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)

This paper reports initial results from a study which investigated whether different media combinations could be shown to improve students' understanding of computer-based learning materials and to determine whether student learning style affected student understanding for different media combinations. Three groups of participants were given a…

Discussion of online learning and standards for web-based and computer-based courseware focuses on learning objects, defined here as small, stand-alone units of instruction that can be tagged with descriptors and stored for reuse in various instructional contexts. Presents principles of learning object design and guidelines for assuring that…

The goal of the programmatic research program for the Minnesota Adaptive Instructional System (MAIS), an intelligent computer-assisted instruction system, is to empirically investigate generalizable instructional variables and conditions that improve learning through the use of adaptive instructional strategies. Research has been initiated in the…

Concludes that creating online instructional sites by hand with the help of an HTML editor is generally preferable to using "course-in-a-box" software because instructors can select the components needed to support their pedagogy and construct successful learning experiences for their students. (RS)

Past media research has tried to show that the medium itself made a difference in instruction and learning outcomes. However there are media attributes that must be considered in instructional design in conjunction with an analysis of the instructional goal. For example, the task requirements, type and level of learner-medium interaction, type and…

The purpose of this study is to examine how technology, namely virtual reality (VR), can be developed as a critical pedagogical tool. More specifically, the study explores whether the use of VR can challenge the traditional lecture format and make the classroom a more student-centered environment. In this instance, VR is defined as a set of…

This response to a previously published article on the replaceability of media and instructional methods focuses on a study that uses a chemistry multimedia software package to examine cognitive processes in which learners interact with instructional designs and use media and methods to construct understanding. (nine references) (LRW)

Focuses on presumed functions of orienting activities, such as advance organizers, pre-questions, and statements of performance expectations, as well as the implications of such functions for the design of computer-based interactive video (CBIV). Application of empirically founded principles in design and production of CBIV is described.…

Examines features to consider when redesigning instructional materials to electronic format from print. Topics discussed include physical presence; human-computer interface; resolution and screen size; online help; interactivity; motion and sound; and software tools. Examples of screen designs are included. (Contains 11 references.) (LRW)

The purpose of this handbook is to provide background and guidelines for course designers and instructional developers who will be developing Reserve Component training for the United States military using asynchronous computer conferencing techniques. The recommendations in this report are based on an international review of the literature in…

Discusses producing effective instructional software using a balance of course content and technological capabilities. Describes six phases of an instructional development model: discovery, design, development, coding, documentation, and delivery. Notes that good instructional design should have learner/computer interaction, sequencing of…

Describes criteria developed to determine which of three existing computer-based training lessons could be repurposed into a multimedia format. Reasons for repurposing, types of criteria generated to determine the instruction's repurposeability, and lessons learned from the evaluation experience are covered. (Contains 13 references.) (KRN)