Guidelines for the preparation of a distance learning program plan for submission to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) are presented in this document in outline format. Each of the eight topics to be addressed in the plan is described: (1) funding; (2) the operator or agency responsible for program administration; (3) quality factors in content and…

This paper presents a theory of instructional text design that takes into account the process of reading comprehension and the variables in both the reader and the text which can affect that process. Three areas of design concern--legibility and readability, visual illustration, and structure and organization--are discussed. Each area design…

This paper describes a design model presented in workbook form which is intended to facilitate computer-assisted instruction (CAI) software design by teachers who do not have programming experience. Presentation of the model is preceded by a number of assumptions that underlie the instructional content and methods of the textbook. It is argued…

Designed to complement the manual, "Evaluation of Educational Software: A Guide to Guides," which provides an overview of 10 different models of microcomputer courseware evaluation instruments, this 5-section workshop guide outlines an approach to using the evaluation materials in a hands-on workshop setting. Session notes, reproducible…

Outline graphics provide concurrent access to both visual and verbal elements. Their logic is primarily but not exclusively verbal. They rely upon the visual aspects of layout design and symbology to compress the several ideas of a conceptual cluster into a single comprehensible holistic display. This paper introduces new terminology and lists and…

Arguing that the failure of instructional materials is frequently due to misconceptions held by their developers concerning the nature of comprehension, this chapter examines the factors involved in comprehension and relates them to the design of instructional materials. Three types of errors in comprehension are discussed, and ways to avoid them…

This article reports the development of a mathematics course using the mastery learning model and a study of the relationship between learning rate and verbal and quantitative aptitudes. (Author)

A look at how mathematics for life insurance courses is currently being used in a nontraditional college environment. (Author/HB)

British approach reported with stress on materials sources such as conferences and on development of non-traditional concepts and presentations. (CH)

Intelligent instructional systems can be distinguished from more conventional approaches by the automation of instructional interaction and choice of strategy. This approach promises to reduce the costs of instructional materials preparation and to increase the adaptability and individualization of the instruction delivered. Tutorial simulation…

This report presents a cost-effectiveness model for preservice and inservice teacher training in Australia, using a microteaching technique, relating educational (student-centered) factors and cost (management-centered) factors. The report is divided into four parts: (a) a literature survey and the experimental study; (b) attachments to Part A;…

In the context of instructional development projects, situations arise in which evaluations are required that are neither formative nor summative in role. Typical responses to such situations are to stretch the meaning of one or the other of the terms introduced by Scriven (1967) to accommodate the situation; a consequence is a loss in precision…

Describes the objectives, organizational structure, and activities of Syracuse University's Center for Instructional Development. Staff members of the center function as an "instructional design team" as they work with individual departments and schools within the university to improve instructional quality and redesign curricula. (JG)

Acknowledging that while it is difficult to suggest specific instructional strategies for accommodating differing adult beginning readers' (ABR) psychosocial behavior, this paper offers appropriate instructional principles based on the educational and social needs of the ABR. The principles presented are as follows: (1) teachers should help adults…