Discusses the effect of object-oriented programming on the evolution of authoring systems. Topics include the definition of an object; examples of object-oriented authoring interfaces; what object-orientation means to an instructional developer; how object orientation increases productivity and enhances interactivity; and the future of courseware…

Describes a multimedia-based Russian language course developed at Colgate University (NY) and a multimedia authoring system that makes the creation of such courses technically feasible for language instructors. The use of movies, foreign language instruction, principles of design, development frameworks, and future plans are discussed. (Author/LRW)

Creating educational software generally requires a great deal of computer expertise, and as a result, educators lacking such knowledge have largely been excluded from the design process. Recently, researchers have been designing tools for automating some aspects of building instructional applications. These tools typically aim for generality,…

Application of Computer-based systems to Training in Information Technology (ACT-IT, a project by a consortium of partners in the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic, is part of the TIDE program, an initiative of the European Community (EC) to make information technology more accessible to disabled and elderly people. This paper outlines the…

Describes the design and implementation of a CD-ROM-based German exercise package for commercial distribution and a listening and culture package using interactive multimedia based on authentic German television programs. The project demonstrates how a set of specialized authoring tools can be brought to bear upon the real-world needs and…

This paper presents a prototype for the construction of interactive educational hypermedia that can be used on the Internet without being bound to typical World Wide Web protocols and tools. Its most innovative aspect is interactivity: it allows teachers and learners to remotely interact in real time in both a synchronous and asynchronous manner.…

Discusses factors which influence performance when authoring multimedia instructional materials, including background knowledge, resource accessibility, learning and teaching styles, learning or job setting, access to expertise, performance support, cooperative learning, tutorials, models, online training, and expert guidance. (Contains six…

This report details the development of computer software to teach English-as-a-Second-Language skills for medical diagnosis. Design of a prototype unit of multimedia materials using a common authoring tool required about 300 hours of work over a period of 9 months. The report describes the overall design of the courseware, hardware used, stages of…

This paper describes the design and development of a multimedia program that provides instruction in locating, evaluating and citing information in a university library. The use of interactive multimedia for instruction is also discussed. The program was developed by a collaborative team of instructional designers, content experts, and media…

Examines features to consider when redesigning instructional materials to electronic format from print. Topics discussed include physical presence; human-computer interface; resolution and screen size; online help; interactivity; motion and sound; and software tools. Examples of screen designs are included. (Contains 11 references.) (LRW)

This case study explains how the Boeing Company has used the World Wide Web to deliver flight and maintenance computer-based training (CBT) that was originally created on a Macintosh computer and converted to Windows format. The case study begins with a brief discussion of the advantages of using corporate and institutional internal networks…

Multimedia computer programs that can be produced in a few hours by faculty or language laboratory staff could change the way colleges teach foreign languages. New tools allow exercises to be custom tailored to suit student interests and skill levels and to use authentic texts in new ways. Initial response by faculty users has been enthusiastic.…

Describes the Graphic Story Writer system, which was written to explore ways in which a computer can simulate the presence of an active listener for early readers and preliterate children as they explore story construction. An authoring tool that allows adults or more advanced students to create or edit new scenarios is also described. (Contains…

The purpose of this fastback is to provide a primer on developing project-based multimedia instruction. The first section discusses reasons for using multimedia, including advantages to be gained instructionally from teachers using multimedia and--from the standpoint of active learning--from students using multimedia. How authoring programs work…

Discussion of the use of multimedia programs in writing labs or classrooms focuses on the use of "HyperStudio" in high school sophomore advanced English classes for students' research projects. Highlights include computer writing lab activities; teaching strategies, including small group demonstrations, printed instructions, and…