In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the popularity of distance education among higher-education administrators. Students in growing numbers are also taking advantage of the flexibility and accessibility that distance education offers. This growth, however, has been a mixed blessing since it derives from using the Internet…

Developers of self instruction units sometimes become so involved in the design and development of materials that some of the steps in the systems approach are overlooked or minimized. (Author)

Hillsborough Junior College's use of individualized instructional systems suggests that the likelihood of student achievement at predetermined levels of mastery has been increased. Systems for mathematics, English, American history, and sociology have been implemented, and other systems are currently being tested. (JO)

Describes a model of instructional theory relevant to individualized distance education that is based on Keller's Personalized System of Instruction (PSI), behavior analysis, and the instructional systems development model (ISD). Systems theory is emphasized, and ISD and behavior analysis are discussed as cybernetic processes. (LRW)

One procedure that can be used to individualize instruction is to teach different pupils by different methods with the intent of reaching a common goal. A cybernetic (self correcting) procedure is proposed for manipulating instructional displays so that after a period of time the instructional procedure used is optimal for a given individual. This…

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…

The first step in establishing an educational system is to assess the desired outcomes of the task and to state them as observable behaviors. The second step is to determine the optimal learning environment for the achievement of those goals. The final step is to set up a system of evaluating the quality of the instruction and the performance of…

Establishes the connection between educational technology and distance education, instructional design, and delivery. Concludes that, although technology has had minimal influence in traditional classrooms, it is inextricably from distance education. (SK)

This report presents the results of a curriculum project which produced an instructional design for field supervision. The primary objective was to operationalize the "systems approach" to field supervision by showing how the theory/practice synthesis, learning theory, and variation of newer instructional designs could be used in the student…

In order to approach instruction in a systematic manner, a number of factors must be considered. These include the instructional model to be used; individual student learning skills, styles, and preferences; and learning activities. (LRA)

Simulations, which can be defined as formalized techniques for studying complex systems by manipulating the variables in a scaled-down model and observing the results, are useful instructional tools. They provide individualized, self-paced, learner-controlled education, offer discovery experiences which are realistic, and promote problem-solving,…

An interactive model for the design of individualized instruction was developed and implemented, with activities explicitly prescribed for the instructor and the educational technologist. Using this model--PIERIM (Production, Implementation Evaluation and Revision of Instructional Modules)--a traditional elementary education course was converted…

A model for evaluating the extent to which instruction is individualized is described. The model is based on a conceptualization of individualization which focuses on observable teacher behavior resulting in the manipulation of classroom environmental and instructional variables to meet the needs of individual learners. For evaluation purposes…

Designed for training school library/media specialists to establish media programs as an integral part of the school curriculum, this text is divided into four general areas. The first two chapters focus on what society expects of the schools and how educators respond. Systems principles are the shown to apply to the building of an educational…