Some factors in the design of instructional micrcomputer simulations that high school social studies teachers must consider when selecting and using computer software are discussed: (1) Instructional computer simulations are adequate instructionally only to the extent that they make explicit the set of relationships underlying the program for the…

For this discussion, new technologies are defined as specially designed training systems based on microcomputers that incorporate high resolution color displays, special input devices for responses, laser videodiscs for storage of stimulus materials, and hard disk storage for programs and responses. Such systems have several advantages over…

This one-page abstract summarizes results of a final report of a federally funded research project titled, "Research Integration Project: Analysis and Review of Research on Least Restrictive Environments for Handicapped Learners." The goal of the project was the review, analysis, and interpretation of research on the concept of…

During the past two decades, there have been several highly visible developments in education, including behavioral objectives, criterion-referenced test interpretations, the mastery model in instruction, performance-based instructional programs, competency testing, and accountability. This paper is an attempt to weave these various developments…

This chapter presents the history, philosophy, and methodology of instructional development and instructional technology in the Soviet Union. It begins by analyzing the structure of the educational bureaucracy in the USSR and explaining the pathways through this structure through which educational decisions are made, and through which…

The concept of a qualitative model is used as the focus of this review of qualitative student models in order to compare alternative computational models and to contrast domain requirements. The report is divided into eight sections: (1) Origins and Goals (adaptive instruction, qualitative models of processes, components of an artificial…

This report provides a description of and content specifications for video and print resources designed to reinforce basic language arts, mathematics, and problem-solving skills through the integration of five economic concepts into the curriculum of the early elementary grades: (1) scarcity, (2) opportunity cost, (3) consumption, (4) production,…

This fact sheet offers guidelines to consider when developing educational programs for adults. Characteristics of adults which affect learning are discussed under the following headings: adult life cycle; time orientation geared toward immediacy; broad base of experience; independent self-concept; and social roles. The importance of allowing…

This guide contains suggestions designed to guide educators in their efforts to produce competency-based instructional units. Discussed first are the nature of competency-based instruction and the need for materials. The next section deals with such administrative procedures as establishment of ownership of the materials, follow-through, credit…

The notion of a communicative approach has developed considerably since it first began to influence teaching practice and as teacher-researchers have refined their understanding of the concept of communicative competence. At present, adopting a communicative approach has two aspects: (1) it means formulating teaching/learning problems in terms of…

The advances of two-way cable television are discussed in this teachers' guide, which presents materials that have been developed as suggestions for teaching a two-way television course for advanced placement (AP) or honors students in foreign languages. The materials for the course, which is designed to enable students to study these languages…

The recent increase in enrollments in college remedial mathematics courses makes clear the need for the development of pedagogy and curriculum which is tailored to this relatively new class of service courses. Besides the need for courses which teach basic skills in arithmentic, general mathematics, and elementary and intermediate algebra, a…

This paper lends support to Richard E. Clark's position that media make no difference in student achievement, but also argues that alternative ways of thinking about media--i.e., about the differences media do make along with the differences they can make--are necessary and important. Two major areas of study are examined. In discussing the first…

In the late 1960s and early 1970s a considerable amount of research was conducted on methods for authoring and structuring instructional materials by researchers who did not, at that time, have access to the existing delivery systems necessary to fully implement their ideas. One of these methodologies is Structural Communications, developed by…

The second annual report of the 4-year Project CREATE describes activities toward the Project's overall objective of determining how effective microcomputer and related technologies can be in improving the education of learning disabled students. During the second year examination of factors understood to contribute to the beneficial use of…