The development of prose comprehension and writing skills in children and, in particular, the issue of what children know about different types of discourse are reviewed. Many different types of studies are considered in order to show how children's prior knowledge might affect their subsequent performance on both reading and writing tasks.…

Instructional design strategy for improving problem solving is presented. The strategy entails selecting an appropriate domain of problem-solving tasks, learning hierarchies, teaching methods and assembling of learning materials, and designing teacher training and evaluation. Obstacles to be overcome and directions for future research are…

Three types of integration of theory and practice can exist in library and information science programs: teaching of applied theory (focuses on procedural design for effective performance of professional tasks), application of applied theory to analysis of specific settings, use of applied theory in specific settings. Twenty-six references are…

Discusses the role of algorithmic processes as a supplementary method for producing cost-effective and efficient instructional materials. Examines three approaches to problem solving in the context of developing training materials for the Naval Training Command: application of algorithms, quasi-algorithms, and heuristics. (EAO)

Analyzes the factors that contribute to the satisfaction of adult learners from an instructional design perspective. A general profile of the adult learner is provided, and the factors that enter into learner satisfaction--including learner involvement, learner challenge, self-direction, and rewards--are outlined. A 17-item reference list is…

Discusses the impact of the presentation of data on the educational effectiveness of computer assisted learning systems, describes some of the existing systems for controlling the display of instructional data on CRTs, and outlines a project undertaken at the University of Western Ontario to exploit the capabilities of microcomputer color…

Discusses the nature of technology transfer in education, outlines the impact of new technologies on educational practices, evaluates the connections between the capabilities of videodiscs and the learning activities to which they may be applied, and describes the design variables which will affect the development of videodisc-based instructional…

Outlines problems faced by software publishers in providing instructionally valid computer assisted instruction. A research design undertaken by Edu-Ware Services, Inc., directed at measuring instructional validity and utility of software offered to institutions and consumers, is described noting tests, evaluation, data submission and reduction,…

This article is an edited excerpt of the author's presentation at the Technology Education Symposium IV, Illinois State University. Technology education the author believes, has expended too much effort and energy on direction and not enough effort and energy on purpose; that is, on a meaningful purpose for change. (SSH)

Stresses the need to plan instructional programs for library users, especially in light of the tendency of working librarians to get caught up in the demands of the day-to-day workload and to forsake careful and systematic design in user education. An instructional design model for user education is discussed. (Author/JL)

Proposes that Gagne's nine events of instruction be incorporated into the systematic design of computer assisted instruction (CAI) for microcomputers and describes the nine events in relation to five different kinds of learning outcomes which occur frequently in CAI. Seven references are cited. (MER)

Graduate students in an instructional design (ID) course were paired with middle-school student teachers to provide the ID students with an opportunity to sharpen their consulting skills while gaining personal confidence in dealing with "real" contexts in a nonthreatening situation. Eighteen references are listed. (Author/LLS)

Presents several steps for developing computer based learning materials, and shows that they can be less expensive to design and implement than those that are developed using other media. (MER)

Presents a model for instructional media design, adapted from the theoretical model and viewed to work well with reasonable effort and time. An example of the model in use is provided to give evidence of reasonableness. Outlines of both the theoretical and adapted models are provided. (MP)

Describes the reconstruction of a conventional thermodynamics curriculum using the Galperin theory of stage-by-stage formation of mental actions and Landa's description of the "through" systematization of knowledge, and discusses the generalizability of the procedures followed in developing the plan for instruction. A 33-item…