Created to help teachers develop, evaluate, and use computer-assisted instruction (CAI), this guide is intended for "first-time" CAI authors who do not program. (As used here, an author is the teacher who designs and develops objectives and content and creates learning strategies for CAI.) Content of the guide is organized into the five stages in the production of CAI software or coursework. Discussion of state 1 considers development of the authoring design, a generally written plan for the CAI lesson; development of specific learning ob)ectives; writing of content or information to be included in the lesson; and joint author-programmer planning. The largest section focuses on the second stage, the selection of the learning strategies that can best be used to confront students with a given content of knowledge. These strategies are discussed: dialogue, drill and practice, problem solving, and simulation. Samples are provided. In the next three sections, suggestions and guidelines are offered for stage 3, programming; stage 4, evaluation; and stage 5, use and distribution. Appendixes include a glossary, a sample system of evaluation, a sample abstract of a CAI lesson, a sample user's guide for a CAI lesson, and a bibliography. (YLB)