In developing any Virtual University it is important to clarify the differences between organizational structure, technical infrastructure, and content. This paper introduces a model for virtual universities that consists of three layers. The organizational layer defines the structure of the organization and addresses issues such as copyright and…

When basic instructional design issues (goals, nature of the subject matter, and needs of the learner) are taken into consideration, different distance learning models may emerge as appropriate for different learning situations. A systematic approach to design and development of instruction allows for viewing the instructional process as a set of…

This paper introduces guidelines that can contribute to the successful delivery of distance instruction to teachers using a variety of delivery technologies. These guidelines have evolved from extensive experience in teaching and administration of distance-delivered courses, student evaluations, research studies conducted upon previous courses,…

This paper examines how culture and communication are transmitted via storytelling and apprenticeships. Recent studies are reviewed that reveal that storytelling teaches important lessons to students and that other ancient customs, like apprenticeships, are also possible solutions for problems facing contemporary educators. Relevance to technology…

The influences of a student's prior knowledge and desired goal on the difficulties and benefits associated with using hypertext were examined in this study. Participants, 12 students from an undergraduate course in educational psychology, were assigned to either the low or high prior knowledge category. Within these two groups, subjects were…

The guide is one section of a resource kit designed to assist Peace Corps language instruction coordinators in countries around the world in understanding the principles underlying second language learning and teaching and in organizing instructional programs. This section outlines basic principles of second language learning and teaching. An…

This study considered the effects on lesson completion time of four forms of immediate feedback. Thirty-two low-ability eleventh grade students were randomly assigned to one of four treatments. Each student received four one-page social studies reading passages. Each passage averaged 350 words in length. Eight 4-alternative multiple choice…

This study compared the effectiveness and efficiency of trainees in the Onan small products gasoline course under two training curricula: (1) the control group curriculum was the in-place course on the Emerald generator set; and (2) the experimental group curriculum was essentially the same with the addition of one lesson based on methods used by…

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a computer-based system that would allow interactive video developers to integrate and manage the design components prior to production. These components of an interactive video (IVD) program include visual information in a variety of formats, audio information, and instructional techniques,…

Based on the findings of a content analysis of representative literature on educational technology, this report examines the trends in educational technology from October 1, 1990 through September 30, 1991. Ten trends for 1991 are identified and discussed: (1) the creation of technology-based teaching/learning products is based largely on…

This thesis focuses on the definitional and cross-cultural processes involved in the development of an environmental education (EE) database of essential learnings, and the potential of the product in improving the effectiveness of international EE. Identifying the universal aspects of EE is crucial because EE is an evolving field, and is…

The purpose of this study was to determine if increasing levels of complexity in visual production techniques would increase the viewer's learning comprehension and the degree of likeness expressed for a college level instructional television program. A total of 119 mass communications students at the University of Alabama participated in the…

How a multimedia program that employs concept maps and hypertext for teaching "Hamlet" facilitated comprehension in an undergraduate course is described. Results suggest factors that instructional designers should take into account to improve learning. Thirty-six upper-division college students were enrolled in a course on Shakespeare at…

The theoretical model of a good teacher has evolved through three stages: (1) the subject-matter model, which was predominant in the 19th century and through the 1930s; (2) the trait-factor model, which accompanied the "baby boom" era of the 1950s and 1960s; and (3) the instructional design model, whose development paralleled the emergence of the…

This document is divided into: (1) a television curriculum guide and (2) a resource guide. The first describes a four-part television series designed to improve instruction. Section 1 acquaints the participant with some of the issues in distance education, including teacher roles, the impact of technology, parity between the traditional and…