Although the use of animated visuals is both common and popular among computer based instruction (CBI) designers, the theoretical and empirical foundation for their use have not been firmly established. Animated visuals represent a subset of instructional visuals, not a distinctive set. For this reason, general conclusions from research on static…

A number of variables may affect the ability of students to perceive, and learn from, instructional materials. The objectives of the study presented here were to determine the projected color that provided the best visual acuity for the viewer, and the necessary minimum exposure time for achieving maximum visual acuity. Fifty…

This booklet is designed to help users understand the skills and concepts needed to develop effective computer assisted instruction (CAI) programs in any computer language and to polish and extend BASIC language programming skills. It assumes some idea of CAI and some BASIC programming (but not fluency), and can be used for self-study, in a…

This study investigated the effects of sequence and synthesis prescriptions from the Elaboration Theory by teaching the parts of a microcomputer system based on a parts-conceptual structure. A 2x3 factorial design was used which incorporated two sequences, general-to-detailed and detailed-to-general, and three levels of synthesizer, i.e., no…

This paper presents the ARCS model, which is a research-based systematic design model that interfaces with typical instructional design and development models to improve the motivational appeal of instructional materials, of instructor behavior, and of the way in which lessons (or modules) and courses are designed. The description of the model,…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the variables found to influence learning in laboratory settings were able to produce effective student achievement when utilized in Venezuelan distance education. Three versions of the same instructional content were employed, and 42 volunteer college students were randomly assigned to three…

Education courses in BASIC remain a foundation of teacher training for computer use. Such courses do little more than re-invent programming structures that are already available in such educational programming languages (EPLs) as PILOT and TEACH. While BASIC is the only general programming language that is both simple and powerful enough to enable…

Practically every teacher preparation institution offers a course in educational psychology, and it is often the initial education course taken by preservice teachers. Problems with such courses are that they are usually taught by several instructors with no standardization of course content, and the strategies used to teach these courses often do…

The purpose of this study was to replicate the Bentti, Golden, and Reigeluth study (1983), which explored the use of nonexamples to teach common errors as an effective strategy in teaching a procedure. A total of 24 undergraduate students enrolled in the Syracuse University Symphonic Band were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a…

The first of three sections in this booklet reviews ways in which printed and duplicated materials can be used within the context of the three basic instructional strategies, i.e., mass instruction, individualized learning, and group learning. The second section examines in detail the planning and designing of such materials for specific purposes,…

A sequel to the booklet "A Review of the Different Types of Instructional Materials Available to Teachers and Lecturers," this booklet begins by discussing the main educational uses of the overhead projector and its various strengths and weaknesses. Basic guidelines for using the overhead projector effectively are then offered, which include ways…

To examine the influences of direct instructional principles on student learning, this study compared the results of using two different versions of an instructional television program. One version consisted of a randomly-selected ITV science program from the Educational Broadcasting Corporation's science series, "Odyssey," while the…

Implications of research into human ability and metacognition for adaptive instruction are examined. Traditionally, adaptive instruction has largely involved the adaptation of instruction to suit the cognitive idiosyncrasies of individual learners. Through the development of learning strategies and metacognitive abilities to manage them, this…

This study hypothesized that: the mode of instruction used at a zoo exhibit and the familiarity (low, medium, high) of an animal to visitors interacts with the amount of knowledge they demonstrate about the animal; a relationship exists between visitors' demonstrated knowledge of an animal of a given level of familiarity and attitude toward…

This publication contains 4 reports and 15 profiles which illustrate the role of computers in education with emphasis on vocational education. The reports are: (1) "Microcomputers in the Classroom--Dreams and Realities" (Henry Jay Becker); (2) "Microcomputers in the Classroom: Are There Unique Issues for Vocational Educators to Consider?" (Judith…