This paper focuses on unpacking the United States Air Force's (USAF) instructional system development (ISD) model as it evolved over time to its present form. In post-World War II training, the USAF was a leader in the study and use of systematic instructional design procedures, with its early efforts often coinciding with the work of the…

Describes attempts within the military training establishments to systematize the planning, development, conduct, and evaluation of training. (Author)

The Structural Strategy Diagnostic Profile Project developed the elaboration model of instruction as a superior alternative to standard instructional sequencing based on hierarchical task analysis. The theory construction phase, the first of two phases, identified the instructional variables, postulated cause-effect relationships, and proposed…

This project summary explains the development of the elaboration model of instruction, an alternative approach to standard instructional sequencing. There were two phases to the project--the theory construction phase, which identifies the instructional variables, postulates cause-effect relationships, and proposes optimal configurations of…

Intelligent instructional systems can be distinguished from more conventional approaches by the automation of instructional interaction and choice of strategy. This approach promises to reduce the costs of instructional materials preparation and to increase the adaptability and individualization of the instruction delivered. Tutorial simulation…

Report of a study to evaluate the potential systematically developed cognitive pretraining within the context of Air Force undergraduate flying training. (Author)

This paper considers some of the problems in implementing a cost-effectiveness analysis in training and education, and provides a specific example of an analysis that partially meets the cost-effectiveness analysis requirements. A computer-based study management system (SMS), which was implemented on a limited basis, was evaluated in the context…

This paper describes the multiple evaluation techniques which can be applied to one computer-based instructional system and the ways in which the data may be used. The Navy's Computer Managed Instruction (CMI) System is used as an example to illustrate the application of various evaluation strategies for solving problems associated with delivery…

In a series of four interrelated reports, Rand work to date for the Air Force on the development of methodologies for designing programs of instruction is reported. This report, the first of the series, describes MODIA (A Method of Designing Instructional Alternatives), a comprehensive methodology for designing an instructional system. MODIA…

A study was made to standardize instruction in the Army's Leadership Preparation Program (LPP). A portion of the LPP was converted to an automated method of instruction, accomplished mostly through the use of tape-recorded lectures and supported by visual aid frames. A comparison study was then made with the conventional lecture-conference…

An overview and philosophical discussion of the current use of instructional technology in naval training. This essay focuses on the process of instructional development and establishes a parallel between the concepts of instructional systems development and general management theory. (VT)

Full details are presented on Phase I of the three-stage project "Design of Training Systems" (DOTS). A functional descriptive model of the current Naval Education and Training System (NETS) is provided, along with idealized concepts oriented toward a 1980 time frame. Technological gaps and problem areas are noted, but no organizational…

The state of the art of instructional technology in the Army TRADOC Schools and Training Centers is reviewed. The report: 1) defines instructional technology, 2) describes the current usages of the products and processes associated with instructional technology, 3) assesses the value or potential value of these products, and 4) describes exemplary…

Instructional Design Expert (ID Expert) is a prototype instructional design expert system which supports the instructional design phase of instructional system development. Phase 2 of ID Expert was implemented using S.1 expert system language on the VAX computer. The user interface was text-based, consisting of a question/answer dialogue primarily…

MODIA (Method of Designing Instructional Alternatives) was developed to help the Air Force manage resources for formal training by systematically and explicitly relating quantitative requirements for training resources to the details of course design and course operation during the planning stage. This report provides a comprehensive introduction…