Developing State-of-the-Art Instructional Materials

Department of Extended Education
August 24, 1996

Paul Martin Lester
Associate Professor
Department of Communications
California State University, Fullerton
lester@fullerton.edu
home page

Instructional Materials    

Traditional Needs       Supply Needs

*notes                  blackboards, chalk, pen, eraser, overhead projector, computer, software
textbook                na (unless you write it yourself)
*syllabus               computer, software, printer, copier
handouts                computer, software, printer, copier
workbook                na (unless you write it yourself)
*overheads              overhead projector, computer, software, printer, acetate, copier

Visual Needs
slides                  slide projector, telephoto lens, hand control
audio                   tape/cd player, speakers
film                    film projector
television              cable, monitor, overhead projector, audio
videotapes              vcr, monitor, overhead projector, audio
laser discs             laser player, monitor, overhead projector, audio
floppy disks            computer, software, monitor, overhead projector, audio
cd-roms                 computer, software, monitor, overhead projector, audio
virtual reality         computer, software, monitor, overhead projector, audio, headsets, gloves

Communication Needs
telephony               voicemail, fax
e-mail                  computer, software, modem/direct, account
listservers             computer, software, modem/direct, account
bulletin boards         computer, software, modem/direct, account
chat (web/telnet)       computer, software, modem/direct
video conferences       computer, software, modem/direct, camera, monitor
*world wide web         computer, software, modem/direct

Other Needs
classroom               light dimmers, temperature control, specialty lighting, microphone
laboratory              staff/student assistant, paper
training                books, travel, time
*the instructional materials I will discuss

PowerPoint Overhead Presentations

1. Start PowerPoint.
2. Click AutoContent Wizard.
3. Click OK.
4. Click Next.
5. Type in class name.
6. Type in your name.
7. Type in other information.
8. Click Next.
9. Click in the Training button.
10. Click Next.
11. Click Finish.
12. Replace the canned headings for your points.
For a computer-based overhead projection system:
13. Pull down from the View menu item and select Slide Show.
14. Select All and Manual Advance (default settings) and Click Show.
15. Press enter/return to advance the slides.
For an acetate-based overhead projector:
16. Put acetate sheets in your color printer.
17. Pull down from the File menu item and select Print.
18. In the Print What box, select Slides (default).
19. Save your work.
20. Quit PowerPoint.


Creating a Syllabus for the World Wide Web

1.Open your syllabus in the word processing program of your choice.
2. Make sure there is a "hard return" at the end of each line (press enter/return at the end).
3. Save the file as "text only" with the naming procedure: filename.htm (or .html for Mac).
4. Contact the Webmaster for your School/Department.
5. Transfer the file to a Web server. Note the server and directory names.
6. Put the address for your syllabus on your printed version.
Education is at a crossroads in its history. We are all fortunate to be able to witness the rise of a new form of communication in which words, both written and heard and pictures, both still and moving, combine into interactive multimedia systems that can access informational links on a global scale. But the educational profession simply cannot afford, in its preparation or practice, to be lured by this digital dream. Content shall always come before form.
"... and may great kindness come of it in the end."
-overheard in a St. Louis bar

writings