There are inevitable challenges standing in the way of the success of any approach to Instructional Design. Some are being faced up to. Some are not. Not least among them is the absence of empirically established principles undergirding Instructional Design prescriptions. The challenge it poses is to their reliability and validity. Nothing that…

This article takes a contrarian position: an "instructional design" or "teacher training" model, because of the sheer number of its interconnected parameters, is too complex to assess or to compare with other models. Models may not be the way to go just yet. This article recommends instead prior experimental research on limited…

Digital games were reviewed as an emerging tool in educational technology. Factors such as instructional effectiveness, time on task, relationship to curricula, student socio-economic status, violence in games, and game mechanics were considered. Despite considerable variability among studies, larger overall effect sizes for the impact of games on…

Research has shown that when Merrill's First Principles of Instruction are used as part of an instructional strategy, student learning increases. Several articles describe these principles of instruction, including specific methods for implementing this theory. However, because teachers and designers often have little time to design instruction,…

Empirical research was reviewed to identify recommendations that game designers and developers could use to improve the pedagogical effectiveness of games for instruction. Findings from the research literature suggested 13 recommendations, which are discussed in this article. Distinctions between instructional games and instructional simulations…

Discusses Component Display Theory (CDT) as a method of instructional design, and describes a reorganization of CDT meant to increase its utility in the instructional design process. Matrices in the CDT are explained, and a synthesized matrix based on content and performance elements is provided. (six references) (LRW)

Discusses creativity and instructional system design (ISD) in light of situated cognition, constructivism, and anchored instruction. Topics include historical background; ISD resulting in boring instruction, ISD evaluation criteria, the creativity criterion, quality, conditions for producing creative instruction, the linearity of the design…

Discusses the need for improved methodologies and tools to guide the design and development of interactive technology-based instructional materials. Topics discussed include mental models; knowledge representation; knowledge analysis and acquisition systems; the effectiveness of instructional transactions; strategy analysis systems for…

Responds to two arguments made by Walter Dick in the debate over instructional design and creativity: (1) "creativeness" should not dominate effectiveness and efficiency; and (2) systematic instructional design methods do result in "creative instruction" when they are used appropriately. Also lists respondent's assumptions and claims. (JMV)

Discusses the appropriate use of the instructional systems design (ISD) process and compares it to the appropriate use of the dog-breeding process according to the AKC (American Kennel Club). Topics include constructivism and objectivism, or behaviorism; instructional effectiveness; and the use of design models. (Author/LRW)

Evidence exists that many students experience difficulties in comprehending the complexities of instructional system design (ISD), and they simply memorize its principles, with low levels of understanding. This article explores what tasks a student who takes an ISD course does as he or she performs a project of systematic and systemic…

Reviews commonly held perceptions about distance education, beginning with historical biases and including current thinking regarding technology integration. A self-administered test is included that is designed to encourage discussion about opinions that people have regarding the impact of distance education on teachers, students, instruction,…

Discusses the development of various technologies up through the Internet, and notes that the means have been confused with the ends. Argues that educators and users should first focus on the learning material's content and on performance design that delivers useful results, before selecting the means of delivery (the Internet). (AEF)

Presents an instructional design model for software that was developed to increase the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction in the classroom. The importance of basing the design of instructional materials on valid learning theories is discussed, and efforts to increase the effectiveness of instructional software are described. (39…

Instructional syntax analysis is one approach to evaluating how a technology-based training course will interact with the learner. By plotting fluctuations in engagement and feedback levels over time, general level of interactivity in a course can be analyzed. Basic principles of instructional syntax analysis are described, with an example of how…