• Chapters written by the leading authorities in the field—Includes writings from Walter Dick, Marcy Driscoll, Don Ely, Kent Gustafson, David Hawkridge, Mike Hannafin, John Keller, David Jonassen, David Merrill, Charlie Reigeluth, Rita Richey, Allison Rossett, Bob Reiser, and Jack Dempsey.

  • Introduces readers to the most current and most respected ideas in the field. Ex.___

• Knowledge & Comprehension Questions/Application Questions—At the beginning and end of each chapter.

  • Requires students to demonstrate an understanding of the key points in the chapter. Ex.___

• Section Overviews—Explains how the chapters in each particular section are related.

  • Focuses the reader's attention on the topics that will be covered. Ex.___

• Endnotes—Summarizes the key ideas expressed in the book.

  • A perfect tool for review and later reference. Ex.___

• Chapter Introductions—Highlights the key points in each chapter.

  • Demonstrates how the chapter is related to other chapters and/or themes of the book. Ex.___

• Practical guidance on getting a job in the field and succeeding at it.

  • Provides students with a variety of useful suggestions in several chapters including: how to prepare a resume, how to create contacts within an organization, how to get ready for an interview, how to develop a professional network of supporters, and how to succeed at a job once it is obtained. Ex.___

• Latest trends in the field covered—From knowledge management to web-based instruction.

  • Provides students with the most current text on the market. Ex.___

• Applications—Describes applications in various professional settings including IDT fieldwork in business and industry, health care, public schools, and higher education.

  • Links content to application in a variety of fields. Ex.___

John V. Dempsey is Professor and Chair of the Department of Behavioral Studies and Educational Technology and Director of the Online Learning Lab at the University of South Alabama. He has taught a Trends and Issues course for ten years. Dr. Dempsey has written numerous journal articles and chapters and coedited a book entitled Interactive Instruction and Feedback. A practicing instructional designer, he most recently completed an educational web site for the national weather service (NOAA) and is developing a series of educational CD-ROMs involving environmental education topics. Increasingly, his academic and professional interests focus on technology-based learning environments, but they are prone to drift hither and yon.

Robert A. Reiser is Professor in the Instructional Systems program at Florida State University. He joined the Florida State faculty in 1976, after getting his doctorate in educational technology from Arizona State University in 1975. He has written two books and more than forty journal articles on instructional design and technology. In recent years, his research interests have focused on techniques for evaluating educational software and examining and improving the planning practices of teachers. Dr. Reiser is currently the principal investigator on a Knight Foundation project designed to promote the use of technology as an integral part of instruction practices in middle schools. In 2000, he was the sole recipient of the University Distinguished Teacher Award, the highest teaching award at Florida State University.