Factors that drive delivery mode decisions are multifaceted and often necessarily go beyond instructional design needs. Additional influencing factors include logistical, technical, and policy considerations. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the many opportunities and challenges that accompany the chosen distance delivery mode, prompting the need…

The fundamental challenge of higher education lies in its ability to intentionally design thriving, innovative, educational spaces that nurture and inspire transcendent and transformational outcomes at the individual, group, and institutional levels. One of the most studied high impact practices, a well-crafted learning community that fosters…

Introduces this special issue by discussing the nature of educational technology and its development in the antipodes as presented in the eight papers which follow. Topics focus on the understanding of educational technology as a systematic process--a problem-oriented approach to the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational…

This glossary offers definitions of almost 600 terms normally associated with the field of educational technology in brief and easy-to-understand form, all in Spanish (a Portugese version exists). The terms are organized into six major areas: learning, communications, instructional design, evaluation, media production, and systems theory. (Author)

A mainline CAI system is an individualized instructional system of major scope which uses the computer as a tool for instructional management and information transmission. Such systems are developed according to a design science approach and used as a less costly alternative to conventional instruction. In contrast, adjunctive systems have a much…

Presents a process definition of task analysis and discusses how various techniques of analysis--breaking the task into its constituent elements, determining the relationship between these elements, and restructuring for performance and instruction--relate to this perspective. Two decision tables, a master design chart, and 28 references are…

Developmental research, as opposed to simple instructional development, has been defined as the systematic study of designing, developing, and evaluating instructional programs, processes, and products that must meet criteria of internal consistency and effectiveness. Developmental research is particularly important in the field of instructional…

Introduces a series of six installments on making the transition from a training/instructional design approach to human performance technology (HPT). The first installment topics include defining human performance technology; obstacles to effective HPT; and the necessary role characteristics for trainers performing HPT. (AEF)

Discusses difficulties in defining instructional systems design (ISD) and presents five ways the field is viewed, ranging from a narrow view emphasizing media selection to a complete ISD view. The ISD view emphasizes five main components: educational theory and research, system analysis, diffusion, consulting/interpersonal relations, and project…

Continues an earlier paper which dealt with the basic concepts concerning the learning process that should be used as a starting point for the instructional design process. Instructional decisions that should be taken at the macro design level are discussed. Twenty-five references are listed. (LLS)

The term "online learning" refers to an Internet- or intranet-based teaching and learning system designed for World Wide Web-based delivery without face-to-face contact between teacher and learner. The Internet is the backbone of online learning. The following media are available to designers of online courses: text; graphics and images;…

The issue of developing a new framework of industry programs for vocational education in the United States was examined in a study of the current status of programmatic structures nationally and among the 50 states. The following are among the topics that were explored: (1) the rationale for a new programmatic framework in the context of changing…

This document discusses and presents Pennsylvania's family literacy indicators of program quality (IPQs). The booklet begins with an overview of the IPQs development and integration with Pennsylvania's system for educational accountability. Next, 18 key terms are defined. The remainder of the booklet lists the five categories of standards, key…

This book, which is an introductory-level textbook for preservice or inservice teachers, examines the foundations and practice of distance education (DE) and explains how to determine when DE is appropriate. The following are among the topics discussed in the book's 12 chapters: (1) foundations of DE (DE today and tomorrow, media in education,…

This book examines lifelong learning in the Information Age and the role of higher education (HE) in providing the educational services needed by lifelong learners. The following are among the topics discussed in the book's eight chapters: (1) changes in HE (repercussions of globalization in the educational sector; competition in higher learning;…