Incorporating new methods and approaches in learning environments is imperative to the development of education systems. By enhancing learning processes, education becomes more attainable at all levels. "The Handbook of Research on Instructional Systems and Educational Technology" is an essential reference source for the latest scholarly…

Graduate programmes in instructional design/educational technology are, by their nature, continuously being updated and improved. As a most recent iteration of the ever-evolving graduate experience, an experimental programme at Pennsylvania State University's Instructional Systems programme takes as its centerpiece a research apprenticeship in…

An algorithm is defined here as an unambiguous procedure which will always produce the correct result when applied to any problem of a given class of problems. This paper gives an extended discussion of the definition of an algorithm. It also explores in detail the elements of an algorithm, the representation of algorithms in standard prose, flow…

The value in using the computer as a teaching machine is likely to be a function of how well it can adapt to individual differences in performance. The term adaptive'' is used to imply that the student is routed to material which follows different teaching strategies and that tasks are put together, on-line, to fit a particular student's…

A look at the two dimensions of the structure of content for instructional purposes: 1) psychological; and, 2) logical. (HB)

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…

Discusses the importance of models of instruction and the need to consider subject-matter structure in organizing instruction. The components of the elaboration model and variations in the model for different kinds of goals are described. (Author/CHC)

Author cites five areas of educational technology where progress has been and is being made. These are: clarifying the process, increasing labor specialization, improving educational evaluation, clarifying systems intentions and shifting the factors of production. Article concludes with a comparison of the educational technology approach with the…

A definition of a conceptual approach to the analysis of educational systems. The authors believe that by centering attention of the instructional management decision-making process, which mediates between activities of the students and the learning environment, much of the present confusion surrounding the design of educational systems can be…

Most colleges and universities cannot afford the research and development approach to improving instruction. This article argues that a more modest approach is defensible and necessary to bridge the gap between reserach and development centers and college teachers. (Author)

Instructional Systems Design (ISD) is the systematic development of instructional strategies that are grounded in both learning and instructional theory. ISD is usually overlooked as a useful methodology in K-12 schools. ISD is extremely expensive in terms of the time required to develop instruction, and it often seems more appropriate as an…

This overview of an introductory, graduate level course in instructional systems design taught at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville stresses the point that professors of instructional design need to utilize the concepts, principles, and procedures which they present in their courses. Special attention is given to the analysis, development,…

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…

A new division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), the Division of Instructional Development (DID), invited papers by five leaders in the field to provide a starting place for defining and exploring instructional development (ID). The first paper argues that definitions are restrictive and should be used only…