Provides an overview of techniques an instructional designer can use to examine printed subject matter materials when conceptualizing unfamiliar content. Highlights include a discussion of conceptualizing versus learning, interactions between designers and subject experts, and interacting with print materials based on content area reading…

Outlines the history of the use of the Instructional Design Process (a "systems approach" that can be applied to the curriculum development process) and its advantages. Includes a summary of the process and a list of references. (MD

The paper offers a model for the design and evaluation of computer-assisted instructional programs. Components of a diagnostic prescriptive instructional model are delineated, along with use considerations. A sample software program is evaluated according to criteria for the diagnostic function, the prescriptive function, and user considerations.…

Presents a model of the role of instructional feedback in learning a motor skill and identifies six levels of motor skill output, each of which has a characteristic type of feedback. The usefulness of several feedback techniques reported in the literature is discussed. (Author/LRW)

Reviews instructional design research and theory and relates it to the design of computer-based instructional materials. Instructional design guidelines are offered to aid software developers in making design decisions on three macrolevel and four microlevel of instruction. (Author/LRW)

The subtleties of instruction include interpretation, interaction, and longitudinality. Instructional leaders can help teachers make decisions about how to verbally mediate students' understanding during lessons. Includes references. (MD)

Addresses the four questions raised by Yelon about use of pretests with instruction--should I pretest; on what should I pretest; how should I pretest; how should I adjust to results--and answers them from the perspective of instructional designers conducting formative evaluations to improve quality of instruction under development. (MBR)

Examines the Relevance-Competence-Desire (RCD) model of training needs assessment to speculate about the instructional design implications of interactions among these components. Ways in which different types of instruction can be designed to capitalize on various configurations of perceptions of relevance, competence, and desire exhibited by…

Arguing that a well designed graphical display can function as a memory store, this article suggests three principles for the design and use of computer graphics: parsimony, accessibility, and reflection. It is suggested that "progressive graphics" are particularly suited to computer implementation. (Author/MBR)

An instructional design theory, based on direct empirical validation from a programmatic line of instructional systems research, is presented. Concept learning is viewed as a two-phase process: (1) formation of conceptual knowledge and (2) development of procedural knowledge. (Author/LMO)

Briefly discusses current views of the way anxiety decreases students' learning from instructional software and describes ways software designers might compensate for the learning problems of anxious students. (MBR)

Introduces a new department within the National Society for Performance and Instruction which will examine applications of performance technologies in the nonindustrialized areas of the world, including different subject areas and techniques. Reports on the experiences of different performance technologists will be presented each month. (MBR)

The assumption is that sex-integrated classes are inherently equal by the very fact that boys and girls are in the same class. In fact, educational inequity has increased primarily because of instructional design which perpetuates differences among individuals. Good teaching must accommodate individual differences. (MT)

An ambiguity in Gagne and Briggs' model of instructional design was investigated using treatments which contrasted verbal expository and guided discovery forms of presentation. Analysis found the guided discovery method as effective as the expository method on all measures. Implications are discussed. (Author/MT)

Describes the variety of types of products produced by instructional designers, discusses the role of the designer, lists the critical instructional design attributes needed by instructors who design and implement loosely structured instructional products, and discusses prototype evaluation methods for less flexible, instructor-centered products.…