A description is provided of the format used to estimate the costs associated with the development and operation of a computer-managed instructional system. Total costs are conceptualized as a function of the number of hours devoted to each stage of the project and the cost per hour. The data management systems which were developed required…

A more unified approach to communication theory can evolve through systems modeling of information theory, communication modes, and mass media operations. Such systematic analysis proposes, as is the case care here, that information models be based upon combinations of energy changes and exchanges and changes in receiver systems. The mass media is…

In this presentation the outlines of a general systems model for education which may be of value in the areas of curriculum development, course design and teaching are offered. It is based on what is called the "Principle of Natural Organization" which is defined as follows: every form tends to articulate its elements into functional structures;…

Describes an expert system designed to simplify evaluation of teacher-authored high school matriculation examination forms for official recognition. Because conventional knowledge-engineering methods were inadequate, a learning-by-example model called the Ordinal Learning Model was utilized. Responses from the system's users during a two-year beta…

A state educational indicator system being developed by the Pennsylvania Educational Policy Studies (PEPS) project at the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) is described. The extensive database that has been established as part of the PEPS project includes thousands of variables that are descriptive of the 500 Pennsylvania school districts.…

This report examines and evaluates the application of prototyping methodology in the design of a microcomputer-based online library catalog. The methodology for carrying out the research involves a five-part examination of the problem on both the theoretical and applied levels, each of which is discussed in a separate section as follows: (1) a…

A persistent increase in student, faculty, and administrative demand for information technology has resulted in a sharp rise in the total cost of computing services to universities. In response, universities must develop long-term strategic planning processes and policies to establish priorities for information technology investments, determine…

Published materials that have proven useful in the design of the Institute For The Future's first urban simulation model are listed. References include publications dealing with (1) simulations and games, (2) urban and regional models, (3) educational gaming, (4) research and planning applications, (5) methodological perspectives, and (6)…

Using effectivemess, efficiency, self-sustenance, and communicability as criteria, a conceptual model, called SCRAPE, was developed at the University of Texas to systematically describe educational behaviors. The key elements of the system are: (1) diagnosis and prescription, (2) instructional events, (3) achievement evaluation, and (4) consequent…

The study discusses the problem of reporting program development costs and estimating service delivery cost. One adequate system is described. Based on field investigations, that system is compared with those of the National Institute of Education (NIE) career education projects. Chapter two contains a discussion of cost related concepts and…

The system approach to planning and managing educational change features the use of an adaptive framework and a strategy for planned system change. The approach focuses management attention upon (1) relevant future states of expectations or goals, (2) present and future state variables and contexts, (3) human organization factors, and (4)…

A series of articles examines the possible role of standards in measuring the performance of automated library systems and in planning the needed capacity of a system. Topics discussed include capacity modeling; response time measurement; system performance from the library, vendor, and consultant perspectives; and development of performance…

Under the concept of lifelong education, many people from many parts of the social environment will need to be trained and learn about IT (Instructional Technology). The authors have started building a framework for such people, as a distance educational model of self/collaborative learning support. The purpose of this study is to propose and…

Although instructional systems design (ISD) has traditionally been used as a micro-level model to design instructional interventions, there has been in recent years a trend toward using the systems approach for more macro-level applications such as performance technology and educational systems design. This paper provides an overview of…

This manual, based on two years of research in Great Britain, is intended to assist those who are involved in the education of adults. In particular, it is intended to persuade adult educators to examine the relationships between policies and practice and thereby enhance the effectiveness of educational provision. The first section of the manual…