A mini-pilot test was conducted by the Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration to develop training on enforcing the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act. The situation that necessitated the test is presented; mini-pilot test examples are explained; and pros and cons of the mini-pilots are examined. A sidebar contains suggestions…

Three case examples in health education and one in literacy illustrate the process of participatory materials development based on Freire's principles. Materials that reflect the people and language of the community can provide a powerful model. (SK)

Describes how a videodisc of Alfred Hitchcock's film "North by Northwest" was repurposed by adding digitized and computer-generated sound, text, and graphics, to show users the capabilities of interactive multimedia. Recommendations are offered both for working in a design team and for the design of interactive materials. (LRW)

Describes an approach to the design of interactive multimedia materials being developed in a European Community project called ILDIC (Integrated Learning Design in Interactive Compact Disc). The dialog that is needed between technologists and teachers is discussed; and the generic model for learning design used in the project is explained. (11…

Examines position, nature, and scope of language awareness work in English language teacher education courses. By means of a sequence of language awareness activities, an attempt is made to identify the essential features of such activities for teachers and trainee teachers to provide an interim framework for materials writing, and illustrating…

Converting job materials into a basic skills curriculum requires collection of information about job functions; worker abilities; social, cultural, and interpersonal aspects of the workplace; and written materials used on the job. A balance should be struck between literacy and job skills. (JOW)

Describes the development and implementation of the Super Science Connections course materials and elementary-teacher workshops at the Institute for Chemical Education (ICE) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (WRM)

Explains how a management education video on the Challenger disaster was created and insights gained from the experience. Reflects on its use in promoting organizational transformation. (SK)

Describes an instructional design process, Learning Environment Design (LED), as being geared to the design of flexible and user-centered learning resources by distinguishing between content and strategy. LED as a possible successor to instructional systems design is discussed, and the potential of LED for restructuring schools is considered.…

Describes the experiences of 12 Sri Lankan teacher educators as they developed Internet-based study materials while undergoing specialized postgraduate training at the University of Woolongong (Australia). Topics include teaching and learning with the Web; and designing Web study guides, including links to other Web sites. (Author/LRW)

Examines the design of multimedia learning environments as a case example of the intertwined and reciprocal relation between cognition and instruction. Explores the contributions of cognitive theory to multimedia design issues and the contributions of multimedia design issues to cognitive theory. (EV)

Discussion of multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders involved in the production of electronic learning materials focuses on a constructivist methodology for course design. Explains concept mapping that provided the basis for an electronic learning development project at the University of Surrey (United Kingdom) and includes examples of concept…

CEPIAH is a method and a proposal for a Web-based system to be used to assist teachers in designing multimedia documents and in evaluating their prototypes. The proposed tool integrates two modules: one for the Evaluation of Multimedia Pedagogical and Interactive software (EMPI), and the other, a method for designing pedagogical hypermedia…

In this paper we develop materials to address student interest in the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. We discuss the physical characteristics of tsunamis and some of the specific data regarding the 2004 event. Finally, we create an easy-to-make tsunami tank to run simulations in the classroom. The simulations exhibit three dramatic…

With the increasing diversity of pupils in general education classes, teachers are seeking simple methods to teach all of their pupils while maintaining the integrity of the curriculum. COLA is a mnemonic device to help teachers apply the principles of layout and design when creating instructional materials. Use of the COLA strategy can enhance…