Based on visits to representative microform users and an extensive survey of relevant literature, a study was undertaken to assess the relative importance of factors affecting the acceptability of microforms as reading mediums. The following variables were considered: (1) microform characteristics; (2) equipment design; (3) work station design;…

Though visual literacy is gaining recognition, visual communication is under-utilized by special educators. Children are growing up in a world where much of their learning is visual, and schools which have included visual communication in their curriculums have found that it has enhanced the ability to write, and contributed significantly to…

Selection of instructional materials for business and distributive education programs is increasingly difficult because there are more materials, new courses, and programs, matching instruction to the student, and some teacher options. The writer presents steps for use by school personnel in evaluation and adoption of text materials. (MF)

Explained are the ways in which components of the Learning Resource Centers program are facilitating the use of new educational technology in education programs for handicapped persons. (GW)

Outlines an approach to teaching literature that provides a preliminary sensitization to an assigned literary work by having students invent a story using given elements. This approach involves learners in individual taping of the invented story, thematic vocabulary research, and a class exercise in reconstructing the text by asking questions…

A slide/tape program, composed of photographs taken from Spanish magazines and a recorded commentary, was used to teach students of Spanish about the culture of Spain. The program also provided students with incentive and direction for exploring a wide range of cultural information in Spanish magazines. (CB)

Discusses difficulties in defining instructional systems design (ISD) and presents five ways the field is viewed, ranging from a narrow view emphasizing media selection to a complete ISD view. The ISD view emphasizes five main components: educational theory and research, system analysis, diffusion, consulting/interpersonal relations, and project…

Describes an approach to French literature that looks at the process of making a novel into a film. The technique focuses on comparisons of composition, characters, and language. (MSE)

Examines how school counselors can select and use simulated guidance materials in an elementary school setting, with particular emphasis on computer software. Software rating sheet is included and evaluation criteria for software is discussed in areas of content and technical considerations. (NB)

Presents a decision model for selecting interactive media formats to solve human performance problems in organizations. Training problems and motivational problems are discussed, change strategies and assessment of values and aptitudes are described, and case studies that apply the decision model are included. (LRW)

Suggests the many resources available for searching for Canadian English-as-a-second-language instructional materials, including bibliographies, non-commercial sources, government sources, commercial materials, conference materials, periodicals, films, videos, photos, and sources not necessarily intended for, but useful in, instructional settings.…

The central policy issue in the elitist-populist controversy is what works of art are to be included in curricula. Elitists defend the choice of exemplary pieces of art as instructional materials; populists find this advocacy of exemplars restrictive. How the choice of aesthetic exemplars constitutes a curriculum issue is discussed. (RM)

Australian elementary school teachers were surveyed to ascertain knowledge about use of social studies curriculum material. Case studies and representative interviews were used to formulate a questionnaire, the results of which indicated that teachers were not actively involved in material selection and analysis. (Author/DF)

The use of instructional materials for purposes other than those originally intended is investigated in one section of Britain's Open University, and the possible kinds of materials adaptation and modification are outlined. Implications for curriculum cost reductions are also discussed. (MSE)

Describes a study conducted to determine college student preferences for reading in the study of French. Recommendations are made on the premise that individual interests should be taken into consideration in selection of reading materials. (AM)