About the Authors

Patricia L. Smith is Professor Emeritus in the Instructional Psychology and Technology program at the University of Oklahoma. She received her Ph.D. in Instructional Systems from Florida State University in 1982. Dr. Smith is author of two books and numerous journal articles, technical reports, and chapters on computer-based instruction and instructional design. She has served as president of the Research and Theory Division and as a member of the board of directors of that division as well as the Division of Instructional Development (now "Design and Development") of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. She has also served as co-chair of the Professors of Instructional Design and Technology conference and as president of the Instructional Technology Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association. Her primary areas of interest are instructional design, particularly the design of organizational strategies, design of print-based instruction, instructional feedback, and program evaluation.

Tillman J. Ragan is Professor Emeritus in the Instructional Psychology and Technology program at the University of Oklahoma. He received his Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from Syracuse University in 1970. Dr. Ragan is author of five books and numerous articles, technical reports, and chapters on instructional technology, and he has been a columnist for Educational Technology magazine. He has served on many committees and has been president of the Research and Theory Division and of the Division of Instructional Development (now "Design and Development") of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, vice-president of the International Visual Literacy Association, and co-chair of the Professors of Instructional Design and Technology conference. His area of interest is instructional technology, with particular interest in learner characteristics, visual literacy, and applications of computer technology to the facilitation of learning.