Journal of Educational Technology Systems

On May 30, 1974, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched ATS-6, which NASA referred to as the most complex, versatile and powerful communications satellite developed to-date (Figure 1). Launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, the satellite assumed a geosynchronous orbit some 22,300 miles above the equator in order to match the Earth's 24-hour rotational period and remain over a fixed position on the globe. From its position at 94° west longitude, the same longitude as Des Moines, Iowa, ATS-6 is being used for a year-long series of education and health experiments. This paper describes the education activities, which are supported by the National Institute of Education (NIE).

The module is defined as the basic unit for accountability. How modules are organized to provide flexibility in a curriculum is described. The use of modules as an aspect of instructional technology implies changes in the structure of educational organizations and provides a practical way to achieve student-centered goals.

Although the ultimate criterion for the selection of an instructional package appears to be empirically oriented in the amount of student learning which it engenders, intermediate and more immediate criteria of a judgmental character which could serve as proxies to this ultimate criterion appear non-existent. Consequently, the theme of this article is to identify and illustrate seven criteria which may serve in this intermediate capacity and which could be subsumed by the rubric “potential for student learning.” These criteria are: (1) accuracy, (2) clarity, (3) conductibility-practicality, (4) consistency, (5) propriety, (6) relevancy, and (7) social-sensitivity.

In order to assist teachers in repairing and maintaining science equipment, a Science Instrument Repair Center has been set up at the northern branch of the Delaware Technical and Community College. Equipment is brought to the Center by the school and repaired by students who are training to be instrument repair technicians. The total cost of the service is that incurred for replacement parts.

In this paper we have outlined a model for instructional improvement which stresses working directly with university faculty members on their teaching skills. Integral to the workings of the model is the constructive combination of educational technology and human resources. An example of how the model is implemented with a faculty member illustrates its feasibility.