Investigates how participants (39 teenagers and 10 college-age online mentors) interacted and constructed shared knowledge of concepts, goals, tasks, procedures, and solutions when solving a real-world problem in an Internet-mediated project-based learning environment (iExpeditions). The main focus of the study was on how different patterns of…

Reports on a two-year study of an online program for teacher professional development. Survey data from twenty-six online students and in-depth case studies of four students, revealed five dimensions that contribute to effective online learning: relevant and challenging assignments; coordinated learning environments; adequate and timely feedback…

Examines how learning orientation (meta-level learner-difference profiles) accounts for significant variance, effects, and interactions in a Web learning environment. Results demonstrate useful ways to differentiate the audience before designing solutions and environments that carefully consider the impact of emotions and intentions on learning.…

This practitioner-oriented article addresses some of the more commonly overlooked areas of online instructional development. Five sections discuss specific aspects of online program planning and development: (1) Building a Strategic Plan; (2) Technology Planning and Selection; (3) Systemic Instructional Design Considerations; (4) Training and…

Examines the effects of a prototype of motivationally-adaptive computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Findings indicate CAI can be designed to be motivationally adaptive to respond to changes in learner motivation that may occur over time. Results also illustrate that the ARCS (attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction) model can be useful and…

Proposes a framework for thinking about how metacognition research might apply to design activities. Examines two basic approaches to supporting metacognition: strategy training, and creation of a supportive social environment for metacognition. Identifies two kinds of content that are taught using these two approaches: knowledge about a specific…

Examines the effects of peer-tutoring training on elementary school student communication and collaboration skills when used in conjunction with cooperative learning. Within six classes in an inner-city school, cooperative learning pairs were randomly assigned to two groups (control and training). Findings showed that, in general, the training…

This second of a two-part article focuses on the history of instructional design in the United States. Starting with its origins during World War II, major events in the development of instructional design are described. Factors affecting the field over the last two decades, including increasing interest in cognitive psychology, microcomputers,…

Documents a five-year study of two instructors who collaborated on formally studying their teaching of a master's level instructional design course. Outlines their views on learning, teaching, and instructional design (ID), describes the ID course, and explains the reflexive instructional model used, in which the teachers examined their teaching…

Suggests principles for embedding support in instruction to facilitate self-regulation (SR) in less expert learners. The principles are based on analysis of the growing body of research on the distinctive SR differences between higher and lower achieving learners. Analysis revealed four instructional principles that designers should consider to…

Discusses the history of the field of instructional design and technology in the United States. Includes a definition, major features, rational for using instructional design and technology as the label for the field, history of instructional media from 1900 to the present, effects media have had on instructional practices, and the effect…

This article is a workshop report and exploration of interim outcomes related to the role and significance of online teachers and exposes a range of ways of understanding online teaching, including from competency, humanistic and cognitive perspectives. The main body of the report concentrates on a competency-based approach. (JMK)

Reports on a large scale study carried out in four college settings in various countries that investigated the potential of the Web as a medium of language instruction, both to complement face-to-face teaching and as a stand-alone course. Results showed student perceptions were mainly positive, especially as an add-on to regular teaching.…

Proposes a foundation for the design of an online learning environment being developed at the University of New England (Australia) for the acquisition of metacognitive problem solving skills in science. Discusses instructional design guidelines for developing learning environments that supply cognitive support to strengthen metacognitive and…

Describes a distance education course for a Masters program at the University of Manchester and discuses the use of computer mediated communication to build a sense of community and to understand course content. Concludes that synchronous tools are more effective for social aspects while asynchronous tools are better for the academic aspects.…