Current high school reform often focuses on small schools, small learning communities, and alternative paths to post-secondary education. While these reforms are necessary, recent evaluations of improving high-poverty high schools in urban districts (American Institutes for Research & SRI International, 2004 & 2005) suggest these changes are not…

This paper presents the updated (fourth generation) version of the instructional design (ID) model, noting its emphasis on a scientific, iterative approach based upon research and theory in learning and instruction and upon applied development experience. Another important trend toward a scientific approach to instructional design is the increased…

This paper discusses several instructional issues, defines the benefits of algorithmic prescriptions, and examines their effectiveness and efficiency. An experimental study asked 77 undergraduates to master and utilize one of three forms of an algorithm: a prose discourse, a flowchart procedure, or a mastery-inducing flowchart technique. Also…

Continuing education can be looked at as a living system and, as such, assessment is viewed as an integral part of the control function. The use of control functions models of assessment provides a living systems point of view and allows for such new and different questions to be posed as: (1) What are the significant levels of perception and…

Summarizes some vital concepts of motivational theory, and then discusses four types of motivational problems: motive-conflict, incentive/reward, expectancy, and environmental. Some examples are presented which are representative of existing motivational problems in many different organizational contexts. (VT)

Presents a procedure for creating and using an instructional development tracking system, an information management system which utilizes tables, graphs, and charts to help handle the mass production of instructional materials. The application of each step of the procedure to a fictional project is described to illustrate the process. (MBR)

The instructional auditor reviews school district policies, job descriptions, budget allocations, contract provisions, internal and external communications, instructional monitoring and delivery systems, elections, student characteristics, personnel characteristics, and administrative authority as these factors affect a district's instructional…

Discusses the educational and training applications of full motion video teleconferencing to maximize benefits for organizations using this technology. Electronic communication, cost control, improvement of productivity, and instructional development are among the areas considered. (JN)

Outlines some of the findings from a recent study in an urban high school exploring the principal's role in school leadership. Among 11 instructional categories, only three were clearly indentified as the principal's responsibility. This preliminary finding shows that the principal is not considered the only leadership figure in the administration…

Presents an excerpted lecture given by Fred S. Keller, who discusses the nature of personalized instruction (PSI), how MIT began, and PSI experiences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Keller also comments on the implications of MIT experiences for educational reformers and provides his views on related issues. (JN)

Lists 10 teacher evaluation guidelines culled from 10 years of "Bulletin" articles. (MD)

A study of citations in instructional development (ID) periodical literature identifies invisible colleges--groups linked by common ideas or approaches--in the ID field. Although ID literature as a whole was weakly based on previous work, this study found eight invisible colleges and 10 authors who dominate the literature. (MBR)

The author developed an instructional-design model consisting of four simple steps. The model is in a circular format, rather than the usual linear series form, so it is named the training wheel. (SSH)

Developing instructional programing priorities and planning program improvements require an understanding of how effectively program objectives are being met. A formalized process for evaluating programs has been developed at Vancouver Community College as an aid in these and other aspects of instructional planning. (SSH)

Establishes the connection between the learning theories of Robert M. Gagne and systematic patterns in scientific literature and discusses implications of this connection for instruction in library use. Twenty-four references are listed. (Author/EJS)