Discussion of professional development among academic staff focuses on a collaborative project between a lecturer and a subject specialist to develop learning materials for a new distance education course at the University of Queensland. Highlights include existing models of professional development; the needs-based component; and the action…

The purpose of this project was to develop a prototype expert instructional design system (ID Expert) which would demonstrate the feasibility of a consultation system for use by inexperienced instructional designers. The prototype gathers information from the designer and then makes recommendations for instructional design decisions. The output of…

A developmental research activity was undertaken to create and field test a systematic process designed to assist vocational educators to form linkages with business and industry. The literature was synthesized to ascertain what has been learned about the linkage process and coordination theory and has served as a basis for writing a manual for…

The purpose of this project was to develop and disseminate a manual that provides school personnel with help in developing programs of vocational assessment that are useful for handicapped students. The project was developed to fill a need for a vocational assessment manual for implementation with handicapped students in the public schools. An…

This paper discusses research on the processes by which individuals progress toward expertise in scientific domains, focusing on the activity of constructing qualitative problem representations during solution of standard mechanics problems in physics. It includes information on: (1) descriptive analyses of problem-solving performance; (2)…

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…

The nature and timing of decisions regarding the diffusion of new instructional materials and practices are critical to the ultimate utility achieved by a curriculum project. This publication is a collection of five conference papers which deal with various aspects of diffusion of innovative materials and ideas. Everett M. Rogers discusses two…

Discussion of low-cost educational technology in developing nations focuses on Nigerian experiences with using exhibitions to promote the use of inexpensive instructional materials. A systems approach to instructional material development is described, and a model used to develop low-cost educational aids in student teacher courses is explained.…

Suggests a model of human cognition by describing similarities between human and electronic computers. This model might guide the development of software so that it is sufficiently powerful and flexible to be of value to human computers as they construct new knowledge in chemistry. (JN)

Examines an instructional systems design (ISD) model used by Bell Laboratories as an illustration of how heuristics can be brought to bear upon the design and development of instructional materials. Ten references are listed. (Author/MER)

Specific suggestions are provided for modifying instructional materials and methods to meet the needs of students with mild handicaps. An organizational framework for making systematic decisions about instructional adaptation is presented, calling for comparing characteristics of the material or technique with the characteristics of the learner in…

Two programs are described for teaching earth science and introductory chemistry to secondary students with learning disabilities. Development of the two models involved curriculum revision to engage students in higher order thinking, teaching fewer topics in more depth, and design of materials to provide an integrated, problem-solving basis for…

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…

Interactive videodisc training will only come into its own when its effectiveness for improving performance in the workplace is documented through carefully planned and implemented evaluation activities. This paper suggests a model for thorough, fool-proof evaluation to enter each phase of training course production and the rationale for each…

The author discusses a possible framework for the development of continuing education through the production of learning materials at the local level, developing models, and the leadership role of the Open University in continuing education. (Author/BP)