Reviews the literature pertaining to the design of the layout of computer text screens as a means of maximizing comprehension in computer-assisted learning. The literature on the design of instructional text is also examined to extrapolate principles that may apply to screen design. (Author/LRW)

Identifies and discusses knowledge and skills needed by professional performance improvements experts including the knowledge to describe human performance in terms with reasonably precise meanings; ability to distinguish trainable from untrainable performances; and knowledge of learning outcomes and the key conditions for their training. (MBR)

Presents a checklist used to evaluate new, extensively revised, or vendor courses at the American Telephone and Telegraph Communications Center for Systems Education. The checklist is completed by both a subject matter expert taking the course as a student, and an instructional technologist familiar with systematic course development. (MBR)

Describes four training guides developed by the Water and Sanitation for Health Project for use in rural water supply and sanitation projects in developing countries, explains the development process, offers insights gained from the process, and presents five considerations for designing training in third world countries. (MBR)

Describes two studies designed to identify and validate principles of effective microcomputer manual design. In the first, instructional science students rated design principles of four computer manuals using a computer manual checklist; in the second, instructional effectiveness of these design principles was tested by comparing microcomputer…

Describes a study in which computer problem-solving tutorial routines, written according to the Polya strategy, are utilized to teach an engineering statics course. Although their use by students was well received, they were recommended as a supplement to the course rather than as a replacement for the instructor. (MBR)

Based on the premise that meaningful learning in mathematics occurs when children link their understandings with the symbols and procedures they are taught, three places are identified where children can link symbols and their referents, procedural rules and conceptual knowledge, and answers to problems with other knowledge about what is…

Provides an overview of the instructional use of telecourses at community colleges. Focuses on telecourse scope and type, audience, logistical/practical considerations, economics, and the future place of telecourses within the educational system. (AYC)

Addresses the two-fold question concerning imposition of instruction on a library user when he/she only wants answer to information need--whether attempted instruction is infringement on the rights of the user, and whether attempted instruction detracts from the librarian's effectiveness in fulfilling information need. Twenty references are…

Examines issues which emerged during the development of estimation materials produced by the Technology and Basic Skills-Mathematics (TABS) project. Special attention is given to the use of feedback in computer-based instruction on estimation. (JN)

Describes four-step approach to educational demonstration: tell learners they will have to perform; what they should notice; describe each step before doing it; and require memorization of steps. Examples illustrate use of this process to demonstrate a general mental strategy, and industrial design, supervisory, fine motor, and specific…

The Center for Research and Development in the Application of Technology to Education project identifies effective uses of new technologies for the learning disabled. Areas investigated include effective instructional design principles, program design strategies, adjusting technology for individual learners, software development, and use of…

Argues there is a need to support traditional face-to-face teachers who are thrust into the public arena of distance education and suggests adoption of a team approach where subject matter and instructional design experts are equally responsible for distance education course development. Factors influencing this team approach are discussed. (MBR)

In order to blend writing process with introduction to library, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga developed generic model of library research having three stages (pre-library, library awareness, library competence) that parallel stages in writing process. Library use is presented as series of activities including searching, retrieving,…

Shows how experimental approaches to adult education, such as microteaching, video-tape feedback, and simulation techniques, can be useful to educators and their students. Offers an instructional design model to be tested and modified to meet individual educational needs as a means of facilitating the use of these approaches. (DMM)