One educational innovation that is receiving national attention is computer assisted instruction (CAI). The PLATO system developed at the University of Illinois (Urbana) is perhaps the most sophisticated CAI system. As with other CAI systems, it permits each student to learn at his own pace; it can provide precise feedback and remedial or advanced…

In its most general sense, a system is a group of components integrated to accomplish a purpose. The heart of an educational system is the instructional system. An instructional system is an integrated set of media, equipment, methods, and personnel performing efficiently those functions required to accomplish one or more learning objectives. An…

Details are provided about the Audiographic Learning Facility, a pilot system for remote conversational instruction and learning developed by the School of Information and Computer Science at Georgia Institute of Technology. The report describes how learning materials, stored and reproduced in the form of a graphically supported…

In this final volume of a three-volume series on the construction of self-instructional systems, the focus is on various aspects of post-construction control and improvement. As the first step in this phase, the process of polishing the material by checking for readability, integration, retention, and motivation is described and some of the aids…

In a series of four interrelated reports, Rand work to date for the Air Force on the development of methodologies for designing programs of instruction is reported. This report, the third of the series, presents and discusses the use of a questionnaire that help curriculum designers to analyze a course of study to gauge its requirements for…

To develop guidelines for the optimum use of computerized training systems in the Army, data related to computer based training were analyzed, including the results of a feasibility study and the results of comparative studies on student achievement, attrition, and attitudes. Three issues were addressed: (1) the effectiveness of computer based…

This report summarizes the technical report Outcome Evaluation Report for Preparing Educational Training Consultants: Skills Training (PETC-I) which presents the data collected about the three outcome studies of the PETC-I system. This information is primarily summative in nature and is designed to help those who may be considering the system as a…

The utility of the pretraining of task-relevant cognitive skills within the context of experimental research methodology was investigated in this study. A criterion referenced pretraining multi-media product was developed and applied to support the initial phase of an experimental research effort in which several instructional methods for training…

Discusses nine problem areas that emerged at a community college when they introduced a continuous intake/exit individualized learning system in their basic skill development program. Also, presents the strengths and weaknesses of the system. (EM)

Describes the five-phase CAP (Competency Analysis Profile) system for developing competency-based training programs for adults. The five phases are development of the profile, validation of the profile, specification of competencies, preparation of learning resources, and establishment and management of delivery systems. (EM)

Reviews the role of a public school media specialist and suggests resources for further reading in various areas. Highlights include the instructional role; levels of instructional involvement; the role of school libraries; teaching information skills; and the evaluation process, including evaluation of instructional systems, student performance,…

Presents a theoretical framework for designing computer-based systems that guide students in learning strategy selection; compares theories for determining when system-assigned strategies will promote knowledge and skill acquisitions; reviews relationship between learning and instructional strategies; and outlines potential applications of…

This description of a formative evaluation of the instructional systems doctoral program at Florida State University includes a mail survey of program graduates who were asked to rank instructional systems competencies, the questionnaire and evaluation methodology used, results of the study, and subsequent modifications to the program. (MBR)

What exactly is globalization, and how often does it manifest itself? What spheres of human activity does it affect, and how does it affect them? What implications does this phenomenon have for education systems and for educational planning? This booklet examines what globalization implies for the context in which education-sector work is carried…

Applications of systems thinking'' to instructional problems in the mathematics classroom are discussed. Both the analysis of materials and classroom management are explored with the various roles of a teacher in the system given extensive consideration. A specific example is presented in detail. (LS)