A Theory of Learning and Skill-Acquisition Applied to Interactive Video: Activities at the David O. McKay Institute, Brigham Young University.

Transparency theory is a view of learning and skill acquisition that grew out of the tradition in psychology that emphasizes the functional and holistic aspects of human perception and action. It emphasizes the tacit skill aspects of language acquisition and the functioning of language as a tool of social interaction as well as the more traditional language-learning concerned with explicit instruction in grammar and vocabulary. Interactive video is particularly well suited to this broader theory of second language acquisition. The interactive video approach taken at Brigham Young University's David O. McKay Institute has resulted in several kinds of projects: (1) the transfer to videodisk and annotation of existing tape footage, incorporating principles of transparency theory into the program design; (2) the adaptation of footage for various kinds of simulation; and (3) the creation of simulations. The results of these innovations have been encouraging. Some of the problems still to be solved include the costs of designing, developing, producing, and programming interactive video programs, misuse of the medium, limited vision caused by lack of experience with this rich technology, and language teacher defensiveness. Twenty-two references are provided. (MSE)