Suggests that known sources of name variation and error in information systems must be addressed through improved retrieval techniques. Argues that a culture of data stewardship in which fewer errors are introduced in the handling of personal names can be achieved through greater awareness of problems specific to handling of names, and the design…

Changing the dramatic play area in a child care setting promotes creativity and gives children the chance to experience a place they may never experience in real life. Whenever possible, the children should be involved in the process of changing the area, by moving furniture and exchanging props, as well as brainstorming ideas for changes. The…

Pointing out that interactive video (IAV) represents a synthesis of four primary technologies--computers, television, visual design, and instructional design--this paper discusses the what, why, and how of IAV visuals. The features and relevant aspects of each technology are briefly discussed, as well as the impact of each of these technologies…

Computer based instruction (CBI) is composed of individual frames viewed one at a time. Compared to a typical textbook, CBI restricts the adult learner's capacity to access information from different parts of the lesson and to view complex presentations. Designers of CBI must compensate for these limitations by making a concerted effort to…

This paper considers the question of how much of the instructional process instructional designers should control by pre-planning and managing instruction so that it is equitable, focusing on three specific concerns: (1) whether the designer who plans the instruction or the student is responsible for student learning; (2) whether or not the…

The content and quality of the documentation and teachers guides that accompanied 55 educational microcomputer software programs were examined, to determine whether the technical and pedagogical information provided by such guides enabled teachers to fully exploit the instructional potential of the programs. The courseware covered basic elementary…

As the videodisc becomes a potent force in the industrial and the educational market, it becomes increasingly important to develop high-quality, effective videodisc programs. Interactivity is an important evaluation criterion when analyzing a program's instructional effectiveness. The following interactive features can be incorporated in the…

This paper summarizes the general issues discussed at the September 1986 conference of the Apple Education Advisory Council and during the Advisory Council's deliberations about the future. The general issues are categorized within four topics--technical considerations, people considerations, human/technology interface considerations, and network…

A principal limitation of frame-based computer assisted instruction (CAI) results not from the characteristics of the computer medium, but rather from prior instructional design practices, specifically the logical abstraction of behavioral objectives. Learning hierarchy-based instruction implemented in the interactive computer-based medium results…

This report describes ELI, a computer-based educational game that gives participants, as citizens of fictitious cities, the opportunity to examine a variety of typical community issues relating to education within the context of broader city and regional problems. After a brief introduction, the game structure is described, including the setting…

In early computer assisted instruction (CAI), negative feedback often insulted students and/or provided no useful knowledge. In classroom settings, teachers use the following approaches in dealing with students' wrong answers: (1) ask the question again, louder and slower; (2) ask the question again, using different words; (3) back up and reteach…

Discusses the capabilities of optical data disk systems to merge different types of media, and the need to incorporate these capabilities into new information products. Guidelines for creating a profitable optical data disk product are outlined. (CLB)

Provides overview of design requirements for transparent information retrieval (implies that user sees through complexity of retrieval activities sequence). Highlights include need for transparent systems; history of transparent retrieval research; information retrieval functions (automated converters, routers, selectors, evaluators/analyzers);…

A review of library technological development and card catalog innovations of the past century and a half precedes a discussion of online public access catalog development. Design requirements and purpose of the online catalog, access techniques and provisions, costs, and future integration are highlighted. Twenty-two references are listed. (EJS)

The graphical user interface (GUI) has become something of a standard for instructional programs in recent years. One type of GUI is the metaphorical type. For example, the Macintosh GUI is based on the "desktop" metaphor where objects one manipulates within the GUI are implied to be objects one might find in a real office's desktop.…