Expands on constructivist theories that were discussed in an earlier issue. Highlights include cognitive flexible theory; multiple knowledge representations; prespecification of knowledge; teaching content versus skill; and cognitive flexibility hypertexts (CFHs), including the kinds of knowledge domains for which they should be used and the…

Discusses recent advances in cognitive theory and the design of computer-based instruction and suggests implications for the design of authoring tools and tutoring system shells. Highlights include the design of courseware; advanced organizers; knowledge representation; design evaluation; models of knowledge; models of errors; and models of…

North Carolina experiences serving homeless adults suggest four goals for adult basic education: rethinking the potential of literacy programs, reimaging the curriculum, redesigning teacher training, and reformulating funding. Practitioners should consider an expanded role in solving social problems. (SK)

Although computer-based training for adults has some disadvantages, it is useful for individuation, cost effectiveness, and interactivity. Computer instruction for adults must be designed carefully, considering content organization, learner control, practice, feedback, reinforcement, and assessment. (SK)

Focuses on implicit issues concerning the epistemological assumptions of traditional instructional design, curriculum planning, as well as constructivism. Discusses features and problems of constructivist instructional models, including problems of evaluation, of appropriate application, of the role of traditional schools and of new media, and of…

Discusses hypertext reading environments, focusing on a study of university students that examined the nature of a reader's representation of hypertext content in the presence or absence of a specified learning objective. Discusses concept maps and suggests implications for instructional design. (Author/LRW)

Relates differences between education and training to the difference between hunting and fishing. Discusses instructional methods and design, principles, objectives, and theories. (AEF)

Describes experiences and concerns of instructors using the Instructional Television Fixed Signal (ITFS) program, a low-cost television system in which classes originating on the University of South Florida Lakeland campus are simultaneously broadcast live to various ITFS sites. Presents guidelines for distance learning regarding planning,…

Expands the debate over the conflicts between cognitive theory and situated learning from theoretical considerations, to include concerns of educators engaged in classroom-based research and instructional design in collaboration with teachers. Considers the treatments of meaning and instructional goals from the perspectives of cognitive theory and…

Considers the nature of distance education, its students and costs, and presents specific ways in which computers and computer-assisted language learning (CALL) can help remedy some of the difficulties faced by the distance learner of a language. Discusses the design consideration for CALL. (Author/AEF)

Presents a student module modeling knowledge states and learning skills of students in the field of Newtonian dynamics. Uses data recorded during the exploratory activity in microworlds to infer mental representations concerning the concept of force. A fuzzy algorithm able to follow the cognitive states the student goes through in solving a task…

Questions the suitability of instructional design as a framework for educational development; proposes action research (collaboration, participation, democratic decision making, critical self examination) as an alternative approach; and presents the Action Learning Project (Hong Kong) as an example of how action research can be put into practice.…

Describes the role of the instructional designer in working with professors to translate their traditional courses and favorite teaching techniques into an online format. Examples are from the World Campus program, which pairs instructional designers at various institutions (such as Pennsylvania State University) with faculty members. (DB)

Discusses Web-based learning, also referred to as distributed learning, and outlines eight areas that are part of a framework to use to design successful Web learning environments. Includes pedagogical issues, technological factors, interface design, evaluation, management, resource support, ethical issues, and institutional considerations. (LRW)

Provides a structural definition of interactivity in instruction, with the goal of describing and delimiting a broad and general process. Examines the four major attributes to the concept of interactivity, and defines four additional variables that arise through the structural study of interaction. Outlines five common patterns that deal with…