Don't bother me with instructional design—I'm busy programming!:: Suggestions for more effective educational software

摘要

This article reviews three classes of instructional design techniques that are necessary if educational courseware is to teach. These techniques can be grouped into those that affect three areas of instructional design: (a) instructional strategy, (b) screen design and (c) human factors. The first section identifies design strategies which are believed to have a direct impact on the amount of learning that occurs as a result of instruction. Instructional design strategy involves the arrangement of content elements and other information in such a way that learning is facilitated. The second section identifies screen display techniques which are believed to facilitate the students' ability to interact with the materials. Screen display refers to the way that information is exhibited on the monitor. In this section I have attempted to identify a few display characteristics which may enhance or inhibit learning. Screen display refers to the way that information is exhibited on the monitor. The third section of this paper identifies some human factors, characteristics, and concerns which will make educational software easier to use and thus result in more efficient learning.