The stars closest to Earth are not particularly remarkable or exciting. They are average stars typical of the spiral arms of our Milky Way galaxy. In fact, until recently, most astronomy and Earth science textbooks ignored all but the largest of them to focus on distant, more exotic objects like red supergiants or black holes. The recent discovery…

This chapter examines the roles of the instructional developer and the media production specialist in the development of instructional projects in the context of a six step development process. These steps include pre-assessment, establishing goals, identifying and specifying objectives, designing strategies, selecting and/or producing resources,…

Investigates alternative methods of developing computer assisted instruction (CAI) lessons and concludes that a team effort of experienced educators and highly skilled computer professionals is essential for production of "better" CAI lessons. A model illustrating such a team effort for CAI development is presented and analyzed.…

Reviews common approaches to instructional materials development used at distance education institutions with the team approach considered in some detail. Management of the team is emphasized, the process of change is discussed, and a model for adopting educational innovations--the Concerns Based Adoption Model--is explained. (12 references)…

Existing dissemination strategies are less likely to be successful if the innovation requires attitudes that are in conflict with the beliefs of a large portion of the target audience. This paper proposes a strategy for the dissemination of educational innovations that must be accompanied by substantial changes in adopters' attitudes. A critical…

Describes examples of outstanding videodiscs, summarizes evidence on effectiveness of videodisc as a teaching tool, and discusses factors associated with design of effective videodisc for instruction. Such factors include interactivity, visual design, organization, active participation, metaphors and models, personality, and a team approach. (MBR)

Presents consultant/staff model for training program redesign and discusses activities involved: interpretation of Instructional System Design (ISD) model concepts into plans in trainer's content area and sequenced sets of content-appropriate verbs for objectives; presenting training sessions on design issues; and holding individual conference…

This paper reports on a project at Edith Cowan University (Australia) in which a multidisciplinary team designed and created a self-paced learning environment for students to learn about share valuation and investment, with a focus on the inclusion of features that would motivate students to use and engage with the program. The resultant program,…

The Australian engineering company, Jaques, and Swinburne University of Technology conducted a joint project to write more than 190 operating instructions for the company's 77 employees. First, the university's Workplace Skills Unit (WSU) interviewed 75 production workers to identify their language, literacy, and training needs. The WSU negotiated…

This document profiles 10 successful experiences in nonformal education (NFE) programs across Africa. Common features of the programs profiled are as follows: (1) provide educational opportunities for those who have missed out on formal education; (2) show evidence of learners' acquisition of competencies for work and survival; (3) demonstrate…