Describes the development and implementation of a stand-alone computer assisted learning package for the manufacturing division of Digital Equipment Corporation. Trial tests of the courseware showed gradual improvement suggesting that computer assisted learning has considerable potential in industrial training. Identifies several issues to be…

To equip electrical engineering students with common and transferable work skills, a program of integrative assignments was created to develop communication and teamwork skills. Discusses assignment components; the log book, a personal account of each assignment; assessment; conversion of "common skills" to competence statements, and…

Major issues in instructional theory and the advantages of structural analysis for building instructional systems are discussed. Building on core technology and the structural learning theory, a research program is proposed which will enable efficient development of effective learning systems for industry and schools. Contains 66 references. (AEF)

Describes how instructional designers develop cost-effective training by performing an "up-front-analysis": needs assessment, audience analysis, and task analysis. The task analysis specifies the knowledge or skills to be taught and determines performance objectives, teaching strategies, and instructional materials. (PEN)

Briefly examines research on motivation. Discusses the importance of applying motivation principles to instructional design. Describes the following motivators that can be incorporated into the context of a learning activity: action; fun; choice; social interaction; error tolerance; measurement; feedback; challenge; and recognition. (AEF)

Considers ways to enhance individual creativity and how an individual can help develop a workplace that utilizes creative approaches to instruction and instructional products. Highlights include individual traits and characteristics; abilities and skills; evaluation and reward; competition; and developing individual creativity as an instructional…

Describes a study that was conducted to establish empirically a set of instructional design project success indicators and to determine whether stakeholder perspective influences the importance attached to those indicators. Seven project success indicators were identified, suggesting that the common evaluation models are incomplete. (Author/LRW)

Cooperative learning is the use of small student groups as teams to accomplish a common goal, emphasizing positive interdependence, individual and group accountability, face-to-face interaction, team skills, and group processing. Using formal cooperative learning groups at the college level requires planning, monitoring of students' learning,…

Explores challenges that the design and realization of Web-based collaborative learning activities present for authors, tutors, and students, and suggests how quality can be assured. Describes a pilot study at a German vocational institution in a business English class that used a chat tool as computer mediated communication. (Author/LRW)

Explores the social dimensions of online learning, including ways in which learners interact and communicate with other learners and tutors using electronic communication networks based on experiences in a Masters program in Scotland. Concludes that the social context of online learning is qualitatively different from face-to-face learning and…

Discussion of the cultural complexities of distance learning (DL)programs focuses on collaboration between the Hellenic Open University and the University of Manchester on three distance learning programs. Highlights include courseware; writer mentoring; comparisons of methodological cultures; a conceptualization for the development of appropriate…

Explains reusable electronic learning objects (ELOs) that are stored in a database and discusses the practical application of creating and reusing ELOs at Royal Roads University (Canada). Highlights include ELOs and the instructional design of online courses; and examples of using templates to develop interactive ELOs. (Author/LRW)

A systematic, consistent design framework provides a common language for educational change. A performance-based curriculum design model within a learning-centered framework focuses instruction on expectation and allows for varied and innovative teaching strategies. (SK)

Describes efforts in providing a holistic environment for trainee teachers at the National Institute of Education (Singapore) to learn "hands-on" about using technology in classroom instruction. Results from an evaluation survey indicated the majority of trainees reacted positively towards the module and the instructional objectives of…

Describes the cognitive processes required to troubleshoot faults and describes an architecture based on that cognitive model for designing learning environments that engage novices in troubleshooting while supporting their construction of requisite knowledge. This model can be applied to different kinds of troubleshooting problems, enhancing the…