In an increasingly networked and technologically mediated world, people need to continuously update their knowledge and skill base, so as to be able to self-direct their intentional learning projects. In addition to teaching domain-specific knowledge and skills, the role of higher education should be reorganizing current teaching and studying…

Examines changes in the "supersystem" of instructional systems design (ISD) that indicate the need for a paradigm of training and education based on learning instead of sorting students. Emphasizes the necessity of developing initiative, teamwork, thinking skills, and diversity, as well as new learning-focused instructional theories and…

Describes instructional transactions as patterns of learner interactions designed to enable learners to acquire certain kinds of knowledge or skill and identifies four primary components of an interaction shell: interactions and an interaction manager, instructional parameters, a knowledge base, and a resource database. Transaction shell authoring…

Describes the NETg (National Educational Training Group) approach to instructional design where training products and content are developed to meet clearly defined learning objectives. Illustrates how "instruction" is more than "information." Discusses implications of learning in the Information Age and what is in store for the…

Presents a method for flexible instructional development which aims at assisting the educational designers in the development of modules that are easily adaptable to different learners' needs and allow learners' choices and different delivery platforms, including distance education. (AEF)

A person-centered model of instruction has been developed for use in designing instruction in virtual, Web-based environments. This model, based on the work of Carl Rogers, attempts to address several issues raised in the literature regarding: (1) the changing role of instructors and students; (2) the broadening of the notion of learning outcomes;…

In educational environments, it is desirable to support the mechanism by which people can participate in interesting communities without any trouble and also to promote successful learning activities. Now that Web-based environments have been successively organized under a virtualized communication network or a logical interaction space, the…

Companies and universities are increasingly moving to online delivery for much of their training and education needs, and designing and building quality distance education is a challenge facing many organizations. Option Six is an independent company that is building customized e-learning solutions. Over the last 2 years, the instructional…

Examines how learning orientation (meta-level learner-difference profiles) accounts for significant variance, effects, and interactions in a Web learning environment. Results demonstrate useful ways to differentiate the audience before designing solutions and environments that carefully consider the impact of emotions and intentions on learning.…

This paper deals with techniques for reducing the amount of work that needs to be redone each semester when one prepares an existing course Web site for a new class. The key concept is algorithmic generation of common page elements while still allowing full control over page content via WYSIWYG tools like Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia…

The rapid growth of Web-based instruction has raised many questions about the quality of online courses. It appears that many online courses are simply modeled after traditional forms of instruction instead of incorporating a design that takes advantage of the unique capabilities of Web-based learning environments. This paper describes a research…

Focuses on creating extrinsic motivational techniques to complement the intrinsic needs of online learners. Discusses key points to focus on during the needs analysis stage for online instruction; strategies to create and maintain motivation during the course; motivational strategies to improve transfer of training back to the workplace after the…

Presents exploratory individual, group, and organizational learning instructional systems development (ISD) models based on four conditions: integration of the questions of what and why in instruction and learning; reflection of impacts of environmental factors; non-linear and flexible instructional processes; and future-centeredness in…

The importance of learner support has been emphasized over and over in the distance education literature but there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of this issue. Besides that, most of existing studies on learner support are based on large-scale correspondence program and few of them provide guidelines for planning and implementing support…

Designing an online class guided by the principles of learner-centered instruction at the postsecondary level is a daunting challenge for new professors facing the demands of a tenure track position. This paper presents the findings of a pilot project on two junior faculty members' experiences with online course development and teaching in a…