Defines "course of study" as a statement of work and course goals and suggests the need to follow a consistent format in developing courses of study for community colleges. Reviews divergent points of view and offers a format for developing courses. (JOW)

Describes assessment procedures used to select winners of the EDUCOM/NCRIPTAL (National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning) Higher Education Software Awards program; presents the evaluative criteria used for software assessment; and lists the award-winning software for 1987. (32 references) (LRW)

Describes the Responsive Instruction Model (RIM), a model for designing responsive instruction based on the principles of active responding, feedback, and branching. The content of the instruction is discussed, questioning techniques are described, boundaries of the content are explained, and further research needs are suggested. (23 references)…

Discusses a shift in career paths from instructional technology to performance technology and describes steps to take to become more aware of the performance technology process. Differences in the design phase of the processes are described, and models that identify areas which can be affected by human performance problems are presented. (LRW)

Discusses how to use text design to improve printed instructional materials. Topics discussed include text structuring; how readers process information; page layout; spacing; illustrative material; information mapping; verbal and visual cues; the use of headings; and typographical cues. (nine references) (LRW)

Causal modeling techniques were used to examine relationships among: (1) a curriculum-based special education measurement and evaluation system, (2) structure of instruction, and (3) achievement. All three constructs were stable over time. Teachers' accuracy in setting up student performance measurement was directly related to student achievement.…

Presents a review of topics discussed at the Third Invitational Research Conference in Distance Education, hosted by the American Center for the Study of Distance Education. Summarizes findings from two of the conference's four sessions: course design and instructional strategies for distance educators. Also lists overall key concerns of…

Discusses the motivational needs of adult learners; reviews motivational instructional design; and describes the development of a needs assessment instrument (the Course Effort Survey Revised) and the Adult Learner-Instruction Interaction Motivation Model which can be used to effectively plan for the motivational needs of adult learners. (Contains…

Describes a classification scheme for multimedia interaction based on the degree of control and type of cognitive engagement in three different learning environments. Three levels of interaction are discussed, and implications for learner control and practice when designing interactive multimedia-based instruction are considered. (Contains 37…

Compares factors required for a successful distance education course to requirements for designing a unit of instruction using instructional systems design (ISD). Application of these requirements to video teletraining is discussed to demonstrate that teaching ISD may be accomplished by teaching preservice teachers how to design a distance…

Examines the emergence of "third wave" school restructuring from the fields of educational technology, instructional design, and systems theory. Argues that its core principles--social functionalism, efficiency and productivity, individualism, and expertism--will likely reinforce existing practices instead of substantively transforming…

Discusses insights from both the instructional design community and members of research groups seeking to transform typical classrooms into "learning communities," and encourages discussion among members of these two communities. Gives an overview of frameworks for instructional design, and the principles of learning communities. (71…

Discusses and defines hypermedia, examines essential design considerations and features in the development of hypermedia courseware, and discusses its theoretical foundations. Cites an instructional problem in a guidance and counseling program and suggests that a well-designed hypermedia package might provide an answer. (Author/AEF)

Performance technology and instructional design are affected by the philosophical approaches of learners and teachers. The theories of constructivism (reality is constructed by individuals) and objectivism (reality is external but accessible to individuals) lead to different understandings of human cognition and affect both instructional design…

Examines paradigms in instructional design and the collaborative design process. Based on experiences in a collaborative videodisc design project, a model of instructional design as art is proposed as an alternative to the generic characteristics of a systems approach. Promotion of culture-building in an instructional design environment is also…