The problem of human-computer interface design was brought to the foreground with the emergence of the personal computer, the increasing complexity of electronic systems, and the need to accommodate the human operator in these systems. With each new technological generation discovering the interface design problems of its own technologies, initial…

This is the fourth and final installment in a series of articles presenting a new outlook on the methods of instructional design. These articles examine the nature of the process of instructional design and are meant to stimulate discussion about the roles of designers in the fields of instructional design, the learning sciences, and interaction…

The theme of this article concerns the sketching in of a number of the factors in man's evolutionary interaction with tools, leading toward the predicted eventuality in his development, the replacement of man by machines. (Author)

Presents a set of guidelines for the display features and content of information that should be given to the learner in a computer-generated error message. Examples of common errors and suggested message displays are given. (8 references) (CLB)

Discusses elements involved in the visual design of the computer-learner interface. Topics discussed include the need for consistency in screen layout; information representation, including accuracy in images and visual cuing strategies; and menu selection interfaces, or command representations, including their placement on the screen. (11…

The process of designing instructional sequences in the creation of instructional materials to be delivered via computer-based systems is defined. Charts depict functions for computer-learner, and computer-teacher/author. Flow charts also present four response categories: linear, looping, branching, and off-line. (RAO)

An unattended television camera timed to start and stop at regular intervals reduces the self-consciousness and artificiality of students. (LS)

Defines virtual experience as machine-based experience, of which virtual reality is a subconcept. Topics include a history of virtual experience; criticism of the influence of machine-mediated experiences such as computer games; virtual reality environments; and Heidegger's views on technology. (LRW)

Description of the use of expert systems for training applications presents three case studies of expert systems that are currently in use: (1) CESA, used for government contracting; (2) TOPSCO, for training in telecommunications; and (3) EVIDENT, for law students learning admissibility of evidence. (13 references) (LRW)

Describes the design of a prototype of a computerized courseware production and presentation system that provides a user-friendly environment for the creation, maintenance, and presentation of courseware. Object-oriented material is discussed, types of operations that may act on the objects are explained, and interaction techniques are described.…

A review of computer equipment for immediate response interactive systems. CRT display instrumentation is explained, as is additional computer hardware that has direct application to student users. (RAO)

Discussion of expert systems and intelligent tutoring systems in the education field highlights an expert system that was developed to enhance the learning process in the field of grammatical constructs. Topics addressed include representing the natural language; parsing; LOGOOP (Logo in Object-Oriented Programing); and user-system interface. (11…

Describes the development of a demonstration prototype Research Reference Interface (RRI) that was designed to assist novice instructional designers in justifying the instructional decisions of knowledge-based instructional design tools such as expert systems, decision support tools, intelligent job aids, and hypertext systems. Additional…

Since the designer of interactive materials must ensure that the learner is directed to the information that he will be expected to acquire, he must recognize the components of the delivery system employed and the process by which they interact to deliver the information. (Author/RAO)

Provides a structural definition of interactivity in instruction, with the goal of describing and delimiting a broad and general process. Examines the four major attributes to the concept of interactivity, and defines four additional variables that arise through the structural study of interaction. Outlines five common patterns that deal with…