Instructional development provides a procedure and framework for systematically planning, developing, and adapting instruction based on identifiable learner needs and content requirements, a process essential in distance education. Although instructional development models and processes abound, the majority follow the same basic stages of design, development, evaluation, and revision. While it is possible, even appropriate on occasion, to shorten the process after considering the needs of the learner, it should be done only after considering the requirements of the content and the constraints facing both teacher and students. Adhering to sound principles of instructional development will provide a process and procedural framework for addressing the instructional challenges that will surely arise. This digest describes the four basic stages of the process in detail: (1) Design Stage--gather information, define the problem, understand distant learners and their needs, establish instructional goals and objectives; (2) Development Stage--create a content outline and student-relevant examples, review course content and strategies, develop and select materials and delivery methods; (3) Evaluation Stage--formative, summative, quantitative and qualitative methods; and (4) Revision Stage--resulting from the evaluation process. (Contains 8 references.) (ALF)