In instruction there is always something that needs to be displayed. Little wonder that in some form or other media utilization is a given. But questions arise. "Is development meant to fit within media capabilities?" "Or are media to be selected because of their capabilities to meet development needs?" When in the…

Literature pertaining to the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) is growing but there are few studies dealing with disciplinary differences. The SoTL relating to History is a recently emerging development. But what use is SoTL for History if it can not be translated into improving teaching practice? This paper examines the process of…

Mental models are one way that humans represent knowledge (Markman, 1999). Instructional design (ID) is a conceptual model for developing instruction and typically includes analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (i.e., ADDIE model). ID, however, has been viewed differently by practicing teachers and instructional designers…

Needs assessment is an integral part of designing instruction for adults. However, more work needs to be done to strengthen the definition and theory. Needs assessment will be served by carefully designed studies that analyze the extent and type of impact needs assessments have had on subsequent program development activities. (CT)

Needs assessment is a fundamental part of evaluation, and yet it has not developed as rapidly in sophistication as other evaluation methodologies. This is largely due to the difficulty in measuring real needs, as opposed to wants, interests, etc. This paper discusses some of the critical issues in needs assessment, and outlines some of the…

Research was performed to develop and evaluate Job Aids ("how to do it" guidance, tools, and procedures) used by laypersons when implementing the Instructional Systems Development Model (ISD), which is used for program development and includes analysis, design, development, implementation, and control phases. Baseline data were collected…

Interactive videodisc training will only come into its own when its effectiveness for improving performance in the workplace is documented through carefully planned and implemented evaluation activities. This paper suggests a model for thorough, fool-proof evaluation to enter each phase of training course production and the rationale for each…

The feasibility of incorporating women's studies into the regular teacher education curriculum was explored. Suggestions and recommendations on developing the curriculum were made, focusing on considerations such as: (1) availability of adequate resource materials; (2) development of sample course syllabi for instructors of women's studies in…

Information was gathered from the central office, elementary, and junior and senior high school administrators of the Saginaw (Michigan) Public Schools regarding the quality control operation in the schools. All administrators were polled to determine an actual level of need based on the difference between what "is" and "what should…

This study examines the gap between instructional development (ID) theory and practice, then proposes a conceptual framework to illuminate how expert ID practitioners work in the corporate world. Historically, the bulk of instructional development research has focused on model-building: identifying critical ID component tasks and organizing and…

The first phase of the process of developing a plan to promote increased use of educational technology by the instructors and students of the U.S. Navy's Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) in Newport, Rhode Island, began with a needs assessment which focused on the mission and organization of the school; the SWOS curriculum and the teaching…

The use of technology in the classroom and in support of educational administration are essential to the achievement of excellence by Oregon schools in the 21st Century. This document is the outcome of a study conducted by the Oregon Department of Education to evaluate the current information and communication needs within the Department. The…

The purpose of this paper is to promote and improve needs assessment in distance education through the exploration of eight questions: (1) what is a needs assessment?; (2) how are needs assessments related to successful distance education?; (3) where have needs assessments been used in distance education?; (4) which approach to needs assessment…

In order to promote successful distance education techniques, the University of Minnesota developed a training program to prepare faculty to teach via their instructional television (ITV) delivery system. The need for specific areas of faculty development were assessed through a survey of current practitioners, as well as a content analysis of…

This report identifies present and future problems confronting Tennessee's teachers and offers proposals for responding effectively to these problems. A brief overview of trends in the teaching profession provides a preface to reports on: (1) findings of the teacher compensation subcommittee; (2) findings of the teacher training subcommittee; (3)…