Proposes a framework for designers and teachers to research better design methodologies for distance education and to choose the most appropriate technologies and design better instructional tasks. Presents a scenario in which inherent characteristics of technologies are merged with task characteristics to create positive and powerful educational…

Chronicles Ethiopia's history of language policy, and describes the first three years of the country's initiative to provide native language instruction to all its people, focusing on the materials development process and program effectiveness. Teachers are working to develop content-area instructional materials in eight of over fifty languages.…

Discusses when instructional designers, communicators, and learners should use multimedia. Outlines reasons for using sound in multimedia; discusses how to use music, voice, and animation; and describes how to reap the benefits of video for online documentation when the costs of the medium are justified. (AEF)

Encourages teachers to convert current lecture materials into Web-ready formats and use these for in-classroom lecture presentations. Presents practical suggestions for developing multimedia classrooms and explores issues involved. (Author/JRH)

Discusses general social, moral, and ethical issues connected with computers in education; considers ethical issues related to the development of computer-based learning materials; and examines the use of the computer as a medium for ethical and moral education. Highlights include equity of access, games and learning, and cultural bias. (seven…

Illustrates some of the practical issues and problems connected with the design and use of computerized business games by describing three games which have been developed and operated by staff at Leeds Polytechnic Department of Business Management (United Kingdom). Sample input and output forms are included. (nine references) (LRW)

The purpose of this developmental study was to use the theory of reasoned action to construct a message to persuade elementary teachers to teach energy conservation practices to children. The six steps followed in the project are discussed. An energy conservation persuasive message and the results of the validation are provided. (YP)

Three articles discuss the development, availability, uses, and future of authoring systems. An overview of 74 authoring software packages is provided that includes vendors and costs; Crowell describes the development of interactive software, including programing and authoring languages; and Bork describes tools for developing technology-based…

Describes the design and development of an instructional game, GEO, in which the user learns elements of Canadian geography. The use of knowledge-based artificial intelligence techniques is discussed, the use of HyperCard in the design of GEO is explained, and future directions are suggested. (15 references) (Author/LRW)

Describes English teaching in China, covering course materials, teaching activities, and students' reactions, and noting an upsurge of interest in English for science and technology (EST). A proposed reform argues for a shift from General English to EST and offers suggestions for preparing course materials, teacher training, and learner testing.…

Describes a systematic method for producing pictures to accompany textual instructional materials. The resulting instructional design model is then used in an attribute by treatment interaction study of post-secondary school students that was designed to investigate the role of analogical pictures in adult learners' acquisition of higher level…

Discusses individual perceptional modality preferences, including verbalization versus visualization, reading versus listening, and audio versus video. Literature on perception and on mental representation and learning styles is reviewed, and theoretical and practical implications for instructional materials design are suggested, including the use…

Discussion of the time needed to create computer-based instruction focuses on descriptive analyses of production data gathered from novice instructional designers and novice authors who used a commercial authoring system to produce computer-based lessons. Production ratios are explained, and future research plans are discussed. (Contains five…

Describes a linear, self-paced approach that uses interactive video to teach introductory science courses to community college nonscience majors. The discussion covers learning modules, materials, hardware, software, teacher role, advantages, disadvantages, results, cost effectiveness, and equipment costs. Sources for videodiscs and software are…

At an archaeology camp program for gifted youngsters, students ages 11-16 built a mound with 5 archaeological levels, for future exploration. The "fake" mound ensured that student interest would be maintained, that students would learn about special problems and situations, and that irreplaceable bits of prehistory would not risk being damaged.…