Describes an elective, noncrisis course on death and dying which targets fifth graders. Discusses both the psychological theory behind the program and the ways that life and death values can be clarified. Program tries to allow children to grieve previous losses and helps children to develop appropriate grieving behaviors. (RJM)

This interview study examines the collective advice, concerns, and recommendations of 15 past presidents of ISPI (International Society for Performance Improvement) regarding essential skills for performance technologists, the application of instructional technology, instructional systems development, and ISPI's role in the preparation of…

Provides a meta-analysis on the effect of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) over a range of study features with a focus on the effectiveness debate. Suggests that what accounts for the typical learning advantage of CAI is the better quality instruction provided by CAI materials. (Author/AEF)

A survey asked regular and special educators to rate the importance of 228 items potentially valuable for creating learning environments. Results indicated a high degree of consensus about variables considered important in learning environments, with 40 variables receiving the highest average ratings. Regular and special educators' judgments were…

Establishes the connection between educational technology and distance education, instructional design, and delivery. Concludes that, although technology has had minimal influence in traditional classrooms, it is inextricably from distance education. (SK)

The Competent Learner Model integrates direct instruction and behavior analysis practices to bring teachers to mastery of formulating, delivering, and monitoring effective instructional programing. The model focuses on the knowledge and skilled responding necessary for individuals to become competent learners, and employs a coaching format to…

A technique found useful in a college literature appreciation class is to have students write their reactions to or questions about the day's class, anonymously, on note cards, for the teacher's perusal. The exercise provides information about what is or is not being learned and allows tracking of student development. (MSE)

In learner-centered classrooms, teachers and students together construct, evaluate, and revise the ways they will go about meeting curriculum goals. This type of planning differs drastically from the Tyler Rationale, a technocratic planning framework that has guided the production model of schooling for nearly 50 years. Suggestions are offered for…

Considers what teachers perceive as the appropriate time allocation among the distinct instructional areas during a typical reading session. Evaluates 58 teachers using a questionnaire that investigates four questions concerning ideal use of instruction time. Suggests that time spent reading must exceed time spent talking and writing about reading…

Describes how a multimedia design team at Wayne State University (Michigan), working on an engineering-education project funded by the National Science Foundation, incorporated Kellers's ARCS (attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction) model into the design and development of a computer-based instructional module for a college engineering…

In cooperation with Texas A&M University's Center for Teaching Excellence, an interactive Library Assignment Workshop was developed to educate teaching faculty on designing effective library related assignments. Feedback from workshop attendees was positive and supported repeating the workshop several times per year, with a focus on new…

Investigates the effect of activity content, its presentation, and the interactions between the two on flow experience (intrinsic motivation) in instructional activity. Results suggest that activity content has major influences on motivation; hypermedia presentations can add to motivation if used appropriately, or they can be distracting if too…

Suggests that service learning, as an innovative practice in college teaching, challenges faculty in complex ways and proposes a matrix to help conceptualize different focus areas in service learning (student, expertise, sponsor, or common good) and instructional concerns (values development, pedagogical strategies, academic culture, and community…

Twenty-six expert adult readers, 13 of whom were blind, were compared for how they perceived and retrieved written information. The study found that braille readers were not limited to the isolated identification of individual braille characters as previously thought, but could integrate greater quantities of written information. Implications for…

Presents 4 guiding concepts--organization, communication, collaboration, and enculturation--and 10 related principles for supporting instructors as they develop online courses. The principles are described using examples from the authors' experience as faculty development specialists. Principles focus on technical, pedagogical, and production…