Discusses the current state of instructional technology programs, highlighting two problems with a prescriptive approach to instructional design (ID): making ID entirely empirical by assuming finite and knowable instructional principles and the ultimate impossibility of using prescriptions in any procedural way. Explores why and what theory is…

Describes the design, development, and implementation of a 25-minute interactive television course for teachers and curriculum developers on the use of the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida, a source of materials to help educators comply with provisions of the Florida Holocaust Education Mandate (1994) that…

Research on motivation and gifted students is classified into two broad categories. The first focuses on motivation as a relatively stable characteristic useful for making decisions on identification, counseling, and some programming issues. The second defines motivation as a transitory outcome measure that may be affected by the educational…

Discusses the importance of using good instructional design principles when using new technologies for education. Highlights include identifying instructional objectives; understanding the target audience, and augmenting a presentation with technology instead of letting technology dominate it; organizing the content; and preparing for…

Discussion of instructional design focuses on the use of rapid application development (RAD) procedures for producing timely instruction, particularly self-paced instruction for teaching technology skills. Describes research that examined the use of a RAD approach to improve the usability of instructional materials for a preservice technology…

Describes an empirical field study on synchronous cooperative distance learning carried out in a large software company. Topics include Web-based training that included a chat tool; analysis of group discourse that showed variations in learning processes; participant attitudes; amount of participation; and the need for effective instructional…

Examines how to design interactive multimedia learning environments to provide necessary support for developing higher level cognitive skills. Describes an approach of engaging learners as multimedia designers using project-based learning and investigated the effects on cognitive skill development in high school, middle school, and elementary…

Discussion of the development of educational hypermedia systems for the Web builds on theories from instructional design and learning styles to develop a design rationale and guidelines for adaptive Web-based learning systems that use individual differences as a basis of system adaptation. Considers content adaptation and adaptive navigation…

Describes the process of design and development of two Web-based training templates (i.e., a newspaper metaphor and a theater metaphor) to prompt rapid development of active learning environments. Findings suggest that design elements to support limitations of short-term memory are important considerations in template design. (MES)

Discusses effective designs, management tactics, and strategies to produce ideal asynchronous network discussions that allow contemplation and encourage the development of critical thinking. A model of an online collaborative learning community is applied to implement the designs. A sample of online collaborative moderation guidelines is…

Explores the different forms and potential applications of computer mediated communication (CMC) for Web-based and Web-enhanced courses. Based on their experiences with three different Web courses (Research Methods in Psychology, Statistical Methods in Psychology, and Basic Learning Processes) taught repeatedly over the last five years, the…

Introducing new software to students can be done effectively if teachers provide a brief introduction; show a finished project; build a chunk of the finished product; give student pairs the steps to complete their own chunk and coach as needed; and give students a computer-based tutorial, guiding them through the same procedure. (PEN)

Defines flexible learning and describes components of flexible learning in higher education, including technology, pedagogy or instructional approach, implementation strategies, and institutional framework. Considers factors constraining learning flexibility; changing student characteristics; and the need for lifelong learning, particularly in the…

Investigated the relationship between the use of specific instructional activities and classroom experiences and student motivation for learning science based on 13-year-old students in Ireland from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Highlights include correlation between computer use and student enjoyment; and gender…

Describes a university-wide quality assurance system governing aspects of educational design for online courses that was developed at RMIT University (Australia). Highlights include policy that incorporates educational design, peer review, and formal evaluation of courses; course models; and achieving quality outcomes. (LRW)