Students working together in small groups are a familiar scene in Australian elementary schools. But why are small groups used, and who benefits from their use? This book puts the case for small-group organization in the light of contemporary educational theory. In doing so, the book guides the teacher taking the first steps towards small-group…

This article reviews the scenario planning process implemented at the College of Marin (California). Scenario planning is a creative process in which a group of people who share a common fate develop stories about different ways their future might unfold, and use these stories to make decisions about what path to take. The Global Business Network…

This paper discusses instructional design for distance education. The first section summarizes principles of instructional design systems, including the systematic process, considerations related to planning for instruction, and issues associated with the separation of the instructor and students. Issues to address in the planning process are…

This paper reviews the traditional instructional media and technologies offered in teacher training programs in the past and in some of the programs today--primarily presentation media and technologies, such as audio/video systems, overhead, slide, filmstrip, and opaque projections, and multimedia kits. New technologies in digital information…

Outlines a graduate level minicourse entitled "Micrographics in Libraries" offered at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, noting course objectives and learning activities. A bibliographic review of instructional resources and an outline of units and learning activities within the 15-hour course are included. Thirty-two references are…

Describes the Instructional Quality Inventory (IQI) for formative evaluation of systematically developed instructional programs, its classification scheme for objectives and test items, and procedures for checking programs for adequacy, consistency and presentation. Accounts of two studies are given to support the usefulness of the IQI. (EAO)

This review of applications of educational technology in U.S. military training programs from 1960 to 1980 shows how the use of various audiovisual aids led, in turn, to programed instruction, the systems approach to instructional development, and the development of the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Model. More than 30 references are listed.…

The paper outlines a staff development strategy (model) designed to facilitate the development of sound instructional materials while keeping in harmony with the concerns of the individual staff members. The goals and role of innovation, stages of concern among staff, and strategies in staff development are discussed. (EAO)

Discusses the roles played by student evaluations of teacher performance in the instructional design process; reviews issues related to their use; and outlines suggestions for the construction, administration, and analysis of the questionnaire data by the instructional development consultant. (Author/JJD)

Examines the similarities and differences between instructional theory and learning theory. Suggests that a unified theory of both instructional theory and learning theory needs to exist so that all aspects of human behavior within the instructional situation can be placed in perspective. (Author)

Reviews selected studies of the curricular and instructional role of the school library media specialist to identify predominant patterns in research findings, and discusses their implications for librarians, educators, administrators, and other professionals. It includes 23 references. (RAA)

Provides a summary of a series of research and development projects which investigated the reasons for failure in educational technology-based systems of instruction. Develops a new approach to the design of such systems and their subsequent implementation and control. A 17-item bibliography is included. (Author/CHC)

Offers reasons for the declining literacy rate of new military recruits and makes suggestions for improving performance ratings in military training. Recommendations include visually attractive presentations, simple language, performance testing, a relaxed learning environment and feedback, and addressing the learner as an adult. (MER)

Discusses the development and implementation of a series of culture units for use in elementary German courses. Describes a typical unit, which consists of a set of slides with accompanying text, outlining presentation strategies and class activities. Finally, analyzes the results of a course evaluation by students. (MES)

Suggests seven basic steps of instructional design to be used by library media specialists in planning with teachers for instructional development efforts. (Author/CMV)