This paper offers pragmatic guidance for designing effective distance education courses, including the need for designers to be aware of their educational aims, and the selection of different media and methods for effective learning. Discussion of a brief taxonomy of types of learning--knowledge, skills, understanding, and attitudes--is followed…

The religious studies course described in this paper is offered at Bennett College, a predominantly Black college for women. It utilizes an extensive book list and library reserves rather than a textbook, and emphasizes individualized research carried on concurrently with classroom presentations. Specific components of the course are listed and/or…

This study was conducted to determine the effects of instruction on using a formal media selection procedure on the media selection choices made by novice instructional designers. Twenty-nine male and female graduate students enrolled in a media design course at Arizona State University participated in the study. Media design problems were used…

The behavior of approximately 50 employees learning to use a Los Alamos National Laboratory personnel information system with fixed-format and context-sensitive online help was monitored between October of 1984 and June of 1985. Data was gathered through direct observation during training workshops and during actual use, logging of consulting…

Although the current move away from sequential isolated skill and drill instruction in reading may be good, the growing concern to accommodate individual learner styles may lead to unnecessary complications if teachers attempt to adapt instruction to their more than 30 students each day. If an instructional program is rich enough, it will provide…

A synthesis of research on teaching composition and on effective schooling, this report reviewed 36 documents to present findings on: writing as a process; instructional practices; instructional modes; and teacher training. As the major general finding from the research the report identifies, higher student achievement when the teaching approach…

This exploratory study investigated whether there are differences between males and females in the strategies used to construct mental representations from three-dimensional objects in a dimensional travel display. A Silicon Graphics IRIS computer was used to create the travel displays and mathematical models were created for each of the objects…

This study of the application of cognitive style theory to the development of computer-based instruction explored two questions, i.e., whether computer-based courseware can be designed to address specific learner characteristics, and, if so, which characteristics. Several factors involved in the optimization of instruction are described: learner…

A study compared the amount of contact and the attitudes of young and old individuals toward computers and computer-based instruction (CAI). Developmental differences were examined in the effectiveness of two instructional design features--the use of pictorial (graphics) versus highlighting--and extent of learner participation. Fifty elderly…

The Assessment Resource Center (ARC) at Florida State University provides computer assisted testing (CAT) for approximately 4,000 students each term. Computer capabilities permit a small proctoring staff to administer tests simultaneously to large numbers of students. Programs provide immediate feedback for students and generate a variety of…

This paper reviews briefly the essential characteristics of both invitational education and computer assisted instruction (CAI) and the ways in which coordination of these two models can produce stimulating and valuable educational experiences for students. A matrix illustrates the characteristics of CAI which can support the major values of…

Crucial, technologically oriented issues currently facing educators are addressed in the following 11 articles: (1) "The Definition of Educational Technology: An Emerging Stability," by Donald P. Ely; (2) "Media Applications to Instruction: Current Theoretical Considerations," by Gerald M. Torkelson; (3) "The Dilemma of…

With videodisc still two to five years away from adoption in mainstream schools, it is now time to step back and assess how this new media can best serve teachers and learners. This assessment begins with informal profiles of videodisc use patterns in a variety of school classrooms and analyses of the key factors underlying these early and often…

This final report details the results of an experimental program sponsored by the Mississippi State University (MSU) Special Teaching Projects Program which examined the effectiveness of video materials in a college economics classroom. The empirical results indicate that when video lessons are used as part of a course, students demonstrate…

This report provides a brief description of a 1986 conference on distance education together with four of the papers presented by the five keynote speakers; an outline of the fifth paper is included. It is noted that, in addition to these papers, the conference included 26 application sessions which allowed the 183 participants to select issues…