Argues that consultation skills are necessary for effectiveness within instructional development and examines the dimensions of the ideal consultation relationship. A triad relationship between consultant, client, and benefactors, with the instructional developer possessing effective communication skills, ability to use various interview…

Presents a scheme for comparing the text-learning outcomes derivable from study of either text or a summary of the text and considers some practical study strategies students might adopt when summaries are available and when they are not. The value of summaries in instructional situations is discussed. (MBR)

Discusses artificial intelligence, robotics, natural language processing, and expert or knowledge-based systems research; examines two large expert systems, MYCIN and XCON; and reviews the resources required to build large expert systems and affordable smaller systems (intelligent job aids) for training. Expert system vendors and products are…

Describes a five-step set of procedures for designing and developing instruction that promotes student-teacher interaction and teacher responsiveness. The steps described address instructional content, objectives, questions, boundaries, and entry behavior. (MBR)

Reviews seven commercially produced test generator programs appropriate for use by classroom teachers or individual instructors and identifies item construction and test formatting features that facilitate test design and delivery. Test generator programs and their manufacturers are listed. (MBR)

Results of a survey of educational technology graduate students at San Diego State University (SDSU) include student characteristics, reasons for attending SDSU, and occupational aspirations and job titles. Also presented are questions and issues relating to marketing efforts, curriculum improvements, and trend anticipation that were raised by the…

Describes a model for identifying and meeting needs of entire organizations and the society which the organization serves, and suggests ways to integrate these into planning, development, and organizational success. It is suggested that training success can be improved by decreasing focus on means and getting more precise about results. (MBR)

This study investigated whether computer science educational background makes secondary students more adept at using word processing capabilities, and compared computer science and non-computer science students' writing improvement with word processing use. Computer science students used more sophisticated program features but student writing did…

This study investigated the impact of integrated learning systems, problem solving software, and simulation software on elementary students' reading performance. Results indicate students entering fourth through sixth grade profited more from instruction supplemented by problem-solving and simulation software than from skills instruction. Results…

This overview provides a technological context for the telecommunications age by describing existing and emerging systems--telephone, broadcasting, cable television, fiber optic, satellite, optical disk, and computer technology--and services available via these systems. It is suggested that educators need to become technologically literate and…

Describes a study investigating extent to which 11 media were utilized by teachers in general, and at elementary, middle, and high school levels in Fort Worth, Texas, public schools. Results indicate nonprint media is underutilized; the simplest forms are chosen for use; and more high school teachers utilize complex technologies. (MBR)

Describes a study of Eugene, Oregon, secondary school students which was conducted to determine patterns of microcomputer usage at home and at school; microcomputer activities engaged in at home and at school and time spent on each activity; and relationship between home and school use of microcomputers. (MBR)

This report on an application of the Delphi methodology to education and technology in the context of a Michigan project highlights findings related to: instructional material development; courseware; budgets and teachers; computer literacy; technology access and use; utilization barriers; impact; organizational adaptation; technology integration;…

This overview of aesthetics and aesthetic education covers definitions and approaches to aesthetic education; discusses two notable ways educational technologists can influence aesthetics in learning situations with use of visuals and music; and lists strategies educational media producers can incorporate in productions to enhance aesthetic…

Introduces some general concepts and techniques of artificial intelligence (natural language interfaces, expert systems, knowledge bases and knowledge representation, heuristics, user-interface metaphors, and object-based environments) and investigates ways these techniques might be applied to analysis, design, development, implementation, and…