Describes the use of a computerized spreadsheet technique to assist in the front-end analysis phase of an instructional design project in an industrial training program. The use of a microcomputer is explained as a decision-making aid to analyze, select, and sequence instructional goals and objectives and to develop criterion performance measures.…

The author reacts to Moss's study that investigated leadership qualities of vocational administrators. He questions the limited size and the homogeneity of the respondent base and comments that Moss assigns an unlikely outcome to the traditional occupational analysis procedure. The author also discusses one occupational analysis procedure, DACUM.…

Discusses some of the complex questions differentiation raises that have been glossed over as unproblematical and questions some of the assumptions underlying differentiation that have remained unchallenged. Areas needing further research are discussed. (13 references) (CK)

Sequence errors may be reduced by allowing students to perform a chained task in any functional order. This study, involving four elementary-aged students with moderate intellectual disabilities, found that tasks taught with functional procedures were acquired in fewer sessions, in less time, and with fewer errors than tasks taught in a specific…

Principles of motion economy were assessed with two vocational tasks for two adults with severe to profound mental retardation. The motion economy-based task analysis was not superior in acquisition, but once each task was mastered, it enhanced fluency across both tasks for both participants. (Author/DB)

Discusses instructional design; examines various analyses which should be made as part of instructional development, including needs analysis, front-end analysis, job analysis, task analysis, training analysis, and learning analysis; and describes steps in a learning analysis that is less labor-intensive and time-consuming. A learning analysis…

One of the major concerns of the foreign language profession today is to find a way to promote better cross-cultural understanding while continuing to develop linguistic skills. This discussion focuses on a series of oral and written tasks based on authentic written texts. (11 references) (VWL)

Defines courseware engineering (CE) and discusses how it differs from software engineering. Topics addressed include the goals of courseware engineering; a classification of tasks; costs; aspects of knowledge representation; the structure of knowledge in CE; processes in knowledge acquisition; and knowledge base validation. (Contains 48…

Describes the International Business Negotiation Simulations (IBNS), a series of workshops which use a computer-managed teleconferencing-based simulation designed to teach business executives how to negotiate successfully in a cross-cultural environment. Team structures and roles are described, the telecommunications interface is explained, and…

A review is offered of various bilingual memory studies that have been carried out during the past quarter century. Most of the studies have employed lexical items as the investigative tool, tested outside of a grammatical or semantic context. (Contains 58 references.) (JL)

Explored the effects of inherent task structure and processing load on narrative retelling task performance, analyzing task performance in terms of competition among fluency, complexity, and accuracy. Research with young adults found that degree of inherent task structure more strongly affected fluency of performance. Processing load influenced…

The identification of nursing interventions that are core to each clinical specialty will be useful in the development of nursing information systems, staff education programs and evaluations, referral networks, certification and licensing examinations, curricula, and research and theory construction. (Author/JOW)

Evaluated the effect of using the mastery learning techniques of self-directed feedback, reinforcement, and remediation of knowledge on the performance of a work-related task involving transfer of training. Supports the hypothesis that mastery learning would have a positive effect on transfer of knowledge from the classroom to a work-related task.…

Discusses a general theory of signs showing that the relationship between acquired language proficiencies and nonverbal abilities must be closer than commonly supposed. Presents a general theory of signs showing why it is possible in principle to make linguistically and culturally unbiased judgments about intellectual abilities on the basis of…

Discusses a pilot study using synchronous electronic chats combined with task-based instruction (TBI) to enhance learners' communication skills. TBI focuses on the two-way exchange of information on real-life topics. Shows that computer-mediated communication using less structure-controlled but more open-ended exchange had a significant impact on…