Using Adar's fourfold classification of students according to dominant motive for learning, it is argued that simulation games possess greater motivational power than other techniques of instruction given their ability to overcome three motivational difficulties. (CMV)

Teaching current affairs is one of the greatest curriculum problems facing secondary school social studies teachers. Teachers must solve the problem by intensively planning and organizing, first selecting an appropriate organizational pattern and then developing an instructional unit. (Author/JM)

The effects of presenting objectives to students in a graduate computer-managed course were investigated. The hypotheses, based on previous laboratory studies, that objectives would decrease test-item-latency, increase study time, and facilitate performance on unit tests was tested. (Editor/RK)

Presents methodology that might be employed in evaluating learners' opinions and judgments in complex instructional or training settings. (Editor/TA)

Presents a systematic procedure for analyzing job tasks to determine the relative emphasis each should be given in an instructional program as opposed to being learned through on-the-job experience. (Editor)

Describes the origins, operations, and lessons learned from the Florida Schoolyear 2000 Initiative. This collaborative educational redesign effort includes the Performance Technology Department at Florida State University, the Florida Legislature, the Florida Department of Education, and nine collaborating school districts. (AEF)

Discusses whether the relationship between field dependence/independence (FD/I) and second-language acquisition is significant. The article contains introductory material defining FD/I within the context of second-language acquisition, a review of relevant research, and a discussion of the research's implications for educators and instructional…

Discussion of constructivist learning environments focuses on the concept of grounded design, a process that involves linking the practices of learning systems design with related theory and research. Topics include directed versus situated learning environments, situated cognition and anchored instruction, social constructivism and problem…

In instructional design, goal analysis is used to identify what the learner should be able to do after mastering the instructional goal. Three important issues are discussed: defining the parameters for goal analysis; problems with approaching analysis from a teaching perspective; and the importance of goal analysis for effective instruction. (AEF)

Presents an evaluation instrument for evaluating instructional multimedia programs. Highlights include the need to evaluate; an illustrated example; and instructions for filling out the instrument that includes compatibility for hardware and software; instructional design issues, including content and audience definition; and interface, including…

Argues that individual differences should be given a central role in modeling training programs. Examines the effect of training on individual differences, how the study of individual differences can contribute to the understanding of the learning process, and the effect of social environment on learning and performance from the perspective of…

Reports on data obtained in Australia on practicing teachers' thinking as they interacted with a professional development interactive multimedia courseware package. Two types of thinking are discussed: (1) cognitive mediating processes related to content; and (2) evaluative thoughts about the instructional design of the courseware, from which a…

Discusses the relationship between cultural context and the instructional design of interactive multimedia and argues for multiple cultural, rather than multicultural, contextualization of instructional design. Topics include world views; values, ideologies, culture, class and gender; objectivism; constructivism; deracialization; learning theory;…

Examined economic concept learning and retention in 121 first and second graders who were randomly assigned (stratified by grade) to 1 of 4 instruction conditions: cooperative learning, mastery learning, cooperative-mastery learning, or control treatment. Found on posttest and delayed posttest that cooperative-mastery method was superior to other…

A study examined the skills and knowledge that television production specialists, with no previous experience or educational background prior to their employment at four-year universities, had to learn in order to perform jobs in distance education. Topics include technical skills, personal and interpersonal skills, and instructional design…