Describes design and evaluation of an instructional video for use with low-achieving junior high school students in Trinidad and Tobago. A moderate level of learning with the video is reported, and further work on targeting learning needs of the mainstream population and facilitating learner capability to link information is suggested. (19…

Reviews the history of discovery-based learning, including theories of programed learning, the work of B. F. Skinner, and the impact of information technology. Rejection of discovery learning is identified, and the likelihood in the near future of a revolution in education brought about by hypermedia technology is rejected. (47 references) (MES)

Reports on a study which collated and compared evaluations of seven distance education courses in Hong Kong using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. Conclusions about tutorials, group activities, interstudent contact, telephone counseling, and video and television broadcasts are synthesized; and guidelines for formatting…

This study examined learner-control strategies for selecting problem context and level of instructional support on a computer-based mathematics unit on the metric system. Subjects were 240 sixth grade students assigned to 15 treatments. Performance was lowest under learner-control instructional support conditions even though subjects indicated…

The effects of variations in learner control were examined for an interactive lesson presented as a videodisc visit to an art museum. The 101 first and second grade subjects were assigned to program control, learner control, and learner control with advisement conditions, or to a control group. Data on achievement and curiosity were analyzed. (28…

This survey elicited experts' perceptions of factors affecting development and use of interactive technologies. Responses from 196 respondents were categorized as hardware/technology, software/programs, acceptance/adoption, accessibility/ease of use, and instruction/learning/communication issues. Based on this categorization, a model of…

This bibliometric study analyzed reference lists from three instructional design journals from 1985-90 to identify the most frequently cited authors. A total of 37 authors with 20 or more citations during the 5-year period were identified and rank ordered by number of citations. (14 references) (MES)

Reviews the evolution of instructional systems design and computer-based learning environments, focusing on the effects of technological advances. Classification of learning environments is discussed in the context of the dimensions of scope (macrolevel or microlevel), user activity (generative or mathemagenic), educational activity (goal-directed…

Discusses the Jasper Woodbury Problem Solving Series, a video-based instructional macrocontext for complex mathematics problem generation and solving. A theoretical framework of assumptions about goals, learning, instruction, and learning materials is provided. Design features and typical teaching activities are described. Three teaching models…

Discusses myths underlying the curriculum, teacher knowledge of the curriculum, and constructivist perspectives of the curriculum that need to be considered if curriculum reform is to succeed. Goals, pedagogical features, a typical session, and field test evaluation results for the ScienceVision hypermedia system are described. Sample screen…

Describes the Space Shuttle Commander software package, which utilizes the dynaturtle microworld to teach elementary and middle school students about Newton's laws of motion. Design considerations for computer-based microworlds that represent a compromise between the philosophies of constructivism and direct instruction are presented. (91…

Addresses the problem of outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate subject matter used as the basis for instruction in developing countries, noting that distance education is especially vulnerable. A content evaluation procedure to be incorporated into instructional design models and other strategies for avoiding invalid content are suggested. (MES)

Describes the coproduction by Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Poona (India) of educational videos for use in India's Countrywide Classroom, which presents educational programing via national television hook-ups. Some of the topics of the productions to date are summarized, reflecting an effort to provide variety and…

Discussion of the instructional effectiveness of educational software focuses on a study of undergraduates that investigated the effectiveness of a problem-solving program designed to assist students in solving nonlinear optimization problems. Results are reported that indicate manual procedures resulted in greater learning than use of the…

Discusses methods for teaching mathematics skills and describes a study of third graders that compared student performances on worksheets, a microcomputer drill and practice program, and daily one-minute timing procedures of precision teaching for independent practice of multiplication facts. Results indicate that precision teaching was the most…