Animated pedagogical agents (APAs) have the potential to provide one-on-one, just-in-time instruction, guidance or mentoring in classrooms where such individualized human interactions may be infeasible. Much current APA research focuses on a wide range of design variables tested with small samples or in laboratory settings, while overlooking…

Discusses ways in which some of the principles for producing effective written text can be applied to the production of instructional audiotapes. Two experiments with university students are described that tested re-recorded audiotapes to evaluate the effectiveness of adding text design principles, and further research needs are suggested. (45…

Examines how teachers from Nigerian secondary schools and teacher training colleges select instructional materials. Results of questionnaires and interviews from 89 teachers are analyzed, influences on teachers when selecting materials are described, and implications for instructional design are discussed. (22 references) (LRW)

Discusses whether techniques found useful in text design can be transposed to the display of computer-assisted learning (CAL) materials. Highlights include differences in interaction between books and computers; problems in learning from books; text displays; computer displays; and possible future developments. (Author/LRW)

Compares the approaches to study of external students to those of a matching sample of internal students and discusses the relevance of current learning theories to studies of mature external students. The usefulness of the "Approaches of Studying" inventory for describing study habits of external students is also examined. (MBR)

Reviews the literature pertaining to the design of the layout of computer text screens as a means of maximizing comprehension in computer-assisted learning. The literature on the design of instructional text is also examined to extrapolate principles that may apply to screen design. (Author/LRW)

Discusses types of sound-production equipment used for realization of interactive audio within computer assisted instruction (CAI) environments (speech synthesis systems, and speech/sound-recording, retrieval, and playback equipment); describes several authoring systems in which sound processing plays a predominant role; and presents an overview…