This is one of a series of implementation documents prepared in conjunction with the revised minimum standards adopted in 1983 by the Ohio State Board of Education. Its purpose is to provide guidelines for developing a local policy governing selection of instructional materials, including textbooks, equipment, the library collection, and…

This book presents principles for curriculum development in vocational and technical education (VTE). Section I focuses on curriculum development in a more general context. Chapter 1 conceptualizes curriculum as related to VTE. Chapter 2 provides contemporary designs for curriculum development. Section II deals with essentials of curriculum…

Presents and expands upon a seven-step model that is used to identify factors that bear consideration in the development of audiovisual materials for presentations. (JD)

The relative worth of any evaluation instrument depends on user needs and the material being evaluated. Potential users of a good computer assisted instruction (CAI) instrument include purchasers, authors, reviewers, and publishers of CAI materials. Although each user has unique needs, a good instrument will serve both to educate and discriminate,…

The article describes three steps to help business teachers choose appropriate teaching aids: (1) identify the sources of instructional materials; (2) evaluate the materials, using a variety of criteria; and (3) select materials that avoid potential problems. (MF)

Guidelines present ways to create written material for small group, democratic, and highly participatory discussions of social and political issues. Twelve suggestions for creating effective study circle materials precedes consideration of study circle goals. The overarching goal of any study circle is to provide opportunities for people to learn…

The first of two articles designed to provide guidelines for the instructional development phase of instructional systems development focuses on general instructional methods supporting all instructional tasks. Teaching methods that support selective attention, processing in working memory, and connecting in long-term memory are described and…

A review of research on writing textbooks suggests that in general, they do not reflect current theories in either content or instructional approach. Examination of some second language writing textbooks reveals three types: (1) those with a traditional approach emphasizing grammar, form, and models; (2) books acknowledging but not integrating new…

This one-page consumer education materials evaluation form has been developed as a checklist for developers and users of business-sponsored educational materials. Criteria listed include issues such as target audience, design, and usability as well as objectivity and how the business sponsor is identified. The form is intended to prevent…

Discusses functions of the Alberta (Canada) Computer Technology Project's courseware clearinghouse, reviews findings on instructional software quality, identifies software development trends, and discusses need for support systems to facilitate the incorporation of computer assisted instruction in Canadian schools. (MBR)

Text has traditionally been the mode used to convey information in educational settings, including workplace training. Unfortunately, printed materials have little to offer persons with reading difficulties. Text may be made easier to understand by using predictable structure, shorter sentences, and less demanding vocabulary; however, such…

This guide to the development of reading and reading-related materials for newly literate individuals is designed for use in developing nations in the Asian Pacific region with relatively large neo-literate populations who may have little opportunity to practice and improve literacy skills. The guide consists of three sections. The first section…

This article describes textbook adaptations for special needs students. The article offers suggestions for detecting the compatibility of the textbook with students' reading and interest levels and presents four categories of adaptations: substitute the textbook, simplify the textbook, highlight key concepts in the textbook, and structure…

Advice on the selection of suitable instructional materials to support the chosen method(s) of instruction is offered in this booklet. The first of four sections takes a brief look at the different roles that instructional materials can play in the three main instructional modes--mass instruction, individualized learning, and group learning. The…