Activities in Self-Instructional Texts

All self-instructional material has one common characteristic - the use of "activities" to encourage and reaffirm learning. These activities may take many forms but essentially they encourage the learner to respond to the text rather than remain passive. It is in this active mode, many educationalists believe, that the most effective learning takes place.;How, then, can open and distance learning practitioners ensure that they are providing their clients with appropriate and stimulating activities?;In this book, Fred Lockwood examines the role of activities in self-instructional texts. Using evidence from teachers and learners alike, he draws conclusions about best practice and sets out guidelines for the design, presentation and use of truly effective activities.;The text is interspersed with numerous examples of learning materials from industry, commerce and education and with its own series of activities to underline major points. The following questions are addressed and represent the focus of the book: why do we need activities in texts?; what models influence how we write them?; what form can activities take and what problems could be associated with different forms?; and how do you think activities are used and how do you think students use them?;This approach to a neglected aspect of open and distance learning will be of interest to all those involved in designing open and distance learning systems, whether teachers, trainers, advisors, in-house training managers or training consultants.