This digest, based on "Survey of Instructional Development Models," 3rd edition, defines instructional development (ID) in terms of four major activities: analysis of the setting and learner needs; design of a set of specifications for an effective, efficient, and relevant learner environment; development of all learner and management…

The reasons people most often give for the failures of U.S. schools involve poverty, racial inequality, and a host of social problems. This paper argues that even if all these conditions were remedied, the schools would not produce many more people with the ability to think than they do today. Teachers, who are usually able to think, do not know…

A discussion of drama as a method for second language instruction looks at rationale, requirements, techniques, and classroom procedures. The first chapter examines the connections between drama and language learning, and proposes that drama can be useful with any teaching style. Issues discussed here include encouragement of pupil talk, support…

The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) how different types of dynamic visual facilitate the achievement of specific types of educational objectives; (2) whether the use of dynamic visualization influenced the amount of time needed by learners to process the information; and (3) whether there is an interaction between the amount of time…

This paper discusses streaming media for World Wide Web-based training (WBT). The first section addresses WBT in the 21st century, including the Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) standard that allows multimedia content such as text, pictures, sound, and video to be synchronized for a coherent learning experience. The second…

In 1986, the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (IBSTPI) published the first edition of "Instructional Design [ID] Competencies: The Standards." It was the culmination of work that began in 1978. In this third edition, IBSTPI presents its latest view of the competencies of instructional designers. It is a…

This paper presents results of a survey that gathered information on the use of popular culture examples in college library instruction sessions, including the types of popular culture materials currently being used as examples, the types of courses in which they are used, the librarians' purposes in using the examples, and the librarians'…

The United States government's National Reading Panel (NRP) "Put Reading First" report points to phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension as the major building blocks for reading success. This booklet seeks to demonstrate clearly and explicitly how the Harcourt Reading Program, "Trophies," links…

A framework for designing intelligent assistance in a discovery learning environment is proposed in this paper. The process of discovery learning is analyzed and the required functions for intelligent assistance are discussed. A flexible simulator that fits any type of discovery learning is necessary. The problem solvers that perform fundamental…

The user population of the World Wide Web is increasing rapidly. People who have never had experience with computers are logging on, and, therefore, the novice user population is very large. These new users need to be trained in using this new technology. It is therefore important to investigate which training methods leave the users most…

This report summarizes the proceedings of a symposium on learning with information technology. Part 1 discusses the initial ILIT (Improving Learning with Information Technology) activity, including: the confluence of issues and opportunities that catalyzed the project; ILIT committee goals; the evening symposium sessions; participant observations…

Learners working on collaborative assignments in a face-to-face environment while using computers must engage in social as well as intellectual tasks. Indeed, at the residential undergraduate level, the development of interactive skills is often one of the more important aspects of their collaboration. Many existing facilities support such…

The jagged study zone model helps designers to create educational environments which challenge the learner and make the learner to commit to the learning process. The characteristics of a jagged study zone can be explained by showing how its features are related to traditional closed and open learning environments. The requirements for a jagged…

Just-In-Time Learning (JIT Learning) is a semester-long graduate course that teaches corporate trainers and instructional designers how to design performance improvement interventions. This course is part of a Master's program in Instructional Technology at San Francisco State University. The course has been offered three times and has been…

The rapid changes in the field of technology are redefining the process of developing technology-enhanced educational materials as well as the roles of developers involved in the process.The purpose of this study was to learn from practitioners the roles and responsibilities of an instructional designer in developing new media enhanced…