Examines the application of naturalistic inquiry to the field of instructional development and suggests that such inquiry needs to be informed by research traditions in sociology. Drawing on social movement theory, an example of analogical theorizing is presented illustrating how this theory can be applied to exploration of instructional…

Computers are the objects of instruction, the means to deliver instruction, and tools for learning. Short case studies of particular programs show how computers are being used. Also discussed is how computer programs can be implemented. (JMK)

Recent research indicates that 48 of the 50 states have school curricula frameworks that contain one or more elements that call for some form of media literacy education. Such findings indicate that media literacy is slowly becoming an integral part of school curricula. However, full adoption of media literacy programs has yet to occur.…

The history of the relation between achievement tests and curriculum programs is reviewed, and it is concluded that content specialists are best qualified as sources of curricular goals to specify content, kinds of attainment, and standards. The specification of instructional intents is also considered from the perspective of modern cognition…

Discusses and compares the design and development of computer assisted instruction (CAI) and intelligent computer assisted instruction (ICAI). Topics discussed include instructional systems design (ISD), artificial intelligence, authoring languages, intelligent tutoring systems (ITS), qualitative models, and emerging issues in instructional…

Discusses myths underlying the curriculum, teacher knowledge of the curriculum, and constructivist perspectives of the curriculum that need to be considered if curriculum reform is to succeed. Goals, pedagogical features, a typical session, and field test evaluation results for the ScienceVision hypermedia system are described. Sample screen…

Discusses changes in the field of educational technology from a mechanistic to a more humanistic view, and highlights the importance of interpersonal skills through three studies conducted in the British Open University: one dealing with instructional development, one with the evaluation of teaching and teaching systems, and one with the fostering…

Discussion of educational opportunities in Third World countries focuses on textbook development projects financed by international organizations, including the World Bank. It is concluded that instructional systems development elements are needed in textbook development projects to improve both the quality of textbooks and inservice teacher…

The intent of this paper is to examine the current educational literature relevant to interdisciplinary instruction. Its focus is to provide educators with information to facilitate planning for effective interdisciplinary instruction, particularly at the secondary level. Current research literature indicates that using an interdisciplinary, or…

Developmental research, as opposed to simple instructional development, has been defined as the systematic study of designing, developing, and evaluating instructional programs, processes, and products that must meet criteria of internal consistency and effectiveness. Developmental research is particularly important in the field of instructional…

Instructional design issues related to the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of instruction are gaining increased recognition at the tertiary level in health science educational areas such as pharmacy. However, what has been lacking in the available literature on pharmaceutical education is a comprehensive review aimed at characterizing…

Current research suggests that culture strongly influences students' learning patterns, communication styles, perceptions, and behavior. This research summary details ways that teachers can improve student learning by becoming aware of cultural differences and employing culturally sensitive instructional methods. Concentrating on how students…

In the last 10 years, an approach to electronic distance education called audiographic computerized telelearning using standard telephone lines has come to the fore. Telelearning is a cost-effective system which optimizes existing computer facilities and creates a teaching-learning environment that is interactive, efficient, and adaptable to a…

George Beauchamp's 1968 book, "Curriculum Theory," stresses the importance of developing subordinate constructs, or theoretical relationships, with other components of education, until ground rules are laid down through meanings ascribed to the term "curriculum". According to Beauchamp, theories have three functions: to…

Designed to serve both as a textbook and as a reference source for instructional developers who wish to keep up with developments in the field, this book presents a broad view of the field of instructional development (ID) together with in-depth descriptions of important new topics and the latest developments in the old ones. The 48 chapters,…