Paul Black, Mark Wilson, and Shih-Ying Yao in "Road Maps for Learning: A Guide to the Navigation of Learning Progressions" provide a number of important ideas to consider regarding the development of assessments and curriculum materials to support development of core ideas. One major idea that the author found most valuable is the focus on student…

In this essay, I examine the problems I now see with the sample curriculum I proposed in "College Writing and Beyond: A New Framework for Writing Instruction" in 2007. There are numerous factors that must be considered in designing a writing course: choice of subject matter, choice of genres to assign, sequencing of writing assignments, number of…

There is no doubt that the American economy is in the midst of a major restructuring. While the consequences are not yet fully apparent, two powerful implications for higher education have become clear. First, because solutions to the nation's problems will require a highly educated work force, the demands on colleges can only increase. Second,…

The need to makeover low-performing schools is urgent! Educational reports show that specific student populations are consistently low-performing academically. A postmodern model of school reform integrated with the realms of meaning will assist to close the educational gap in schools and society. According to postmodern guru, Fenwick English…

Discusses instructional design and the classroom teacher. Highlights include the impact of calls for school reform; teaching as an art versus a science; teacher planning versus instructional design; achieving reform through patching versus rebuilding; and the need to have a closer working relationship between teachers and instructional designers.…

Examines the context of present curriculum development in geomorphology and the way in which it has developed in recent years. Discusses the content of the geomorphology curriculum in higher education and the consequences of curriculum development together with a consideration of future trends and their implications. (GEA)

Assesses the factual basis for the stereotyped images of each other that are prevalent among instructional developers in business and education and argues that this problem of conflicting images can be overcome if graduate programs and the industrial community would begin to share ideas and create opportunities for dialogue. (Author/MER)

Considers the role of states in implementing educational reform efforts. The Instructional Systems Development (ISD) approach to designing learner-centered instruction is explained; and Project IMPACT (Instructional Management by Parents, Community, and Teachers), an early application of this approach, is described. Educational improvement efforts…

Describes educational reforms as structural necessities in a differentiated system; not simply historical events or recurrent pushes of dissatisfied idealism. Stating that the current system can increase in complexity but not in excellence, the authors suggest the following distinctions be used to improve its pedagogy: system--environment,…

This discussion of the current state of the art in the field of instructional development includes an integration of the points made by the authors of Chapters 1-12 in the book, "Instructional Development: The State of the Art, Volume I," together with additional material. A discussion of professional organizations, journals, and…

Reviews the establishment, purposes, current status, problems, and prospects of middle schools. Identifies five goals generally accepted by middle school educators. Reports that middle schools' exemplary features include such components as interdisciplinary team organization, flexible schedules, and home base/individual counseling programs. (GEA)

Advocates a systems approach to designing educational systems in a changing world. The intellectual technology of systems design is outlined; and a design architecture is described that addresses definition of the new system, system specifications, key functions, organizational issues, and the systemic environment. Organizing perspectives for…

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…

The traditional model of instructional development (ID) is found lacking by some in the face of problems that call for a customer/user focus, adaptable technical and social designs, and solutions where training is impractical or unaffordable. This paper outlines an alternative model based on the socio-technical paradigm, which suggests a better…

Types of changes being recommended by various national educational reports were compared with actual changes reported in a national sample of high schools. Implications for staff developers are offered. (DF)