253 Experiences from the use of the Grimstad-model for design and implementation of educational software Sigmund Akselsen Norwegian Telecom Research Department, PO Box 2806, 9001 Tromsl!J, Norway Gunnar Hartvigsen and Kjell-Roald Langseth Department of Computer Science, University of Tromso, 9000 Tromso, Norway Abstract. The objective of educational software is to encour- age the user to increase his knowledge of a specific domain. The pedagogical goals are achieved through a high degree of user control and they enforce heavy claims on the design process. A common platform for instructional designers and computer scientists to construct educational software is needed. This article outlines the Grimstad-medel for design and implementation of educational software. We present some snapshots from a project in which elements of the model were used. The simulation program developed in the project shows important issues to consider when keeping reindeer. Accord- ing to experiences gained from the practical use of the Grim- stad-rnodel and from giving teachers' further education courses, we propose extensions to the model. Keywords: the Grimstad-medel, computer-aided instruction, software design, software development, educa- tional computing Sigmund Akselsen is a Research Sci- entist at the Norwegian Telecom Re- search Department. He received a BS, MS (Cand. Scient.) and a PhD (Dr. Scient.) in Computer Science from the University of Tromse in 1985, 1987 and 1991, respectively. His research interests include artificial intelli- gence, computer-based learning envi- ronments, human-computer interac- tion and various applications of telecommunication and information technologies. Dr Akselsen was previ- ously a research fellow and an assistan t professor at the University of Trornse, giving classes on educational comput- ing. He also participated in the development of a 'package' for teachers' further education in computer science. Education & Computing 7 (1991) 253-265 Elsevier 1. Introduction In the early 1980s, Norway started a systematic and well-organized activity for introducing and enhancing the use of information technology in primary and secondary schools. By 1987, the Nor- wegian efforts were attracting international atten- tion; see, for example, the OECD report by Bark et al. [3]. In particular, the efforts focused on teach- ers' further education and the courses on soft- ware design and implementation were highly ap- preciated. In connection with these courses, a model for design and development of educational software, the Grimstad-model, was specified. This model has been continuously refined. The task of providing a common platform for cooperation among educators and computer scientists for de- signing and building educational software has been a focus of research for some time. In this Gunnar Hartvigsen is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science at the Department of Computer Science, University of Trornse, Tromse, Nor- way. He received a BS and a MS in Computer Science from the Univer- sity of Tromso in 1985 and 1987, re- spectively. Mr Hartvigsen is currently completing a PhD dissertation in Computer Science at the University of Trornse. His research interests in- clude various aspects of artificial in- telligence and distributed artificial in- tel'igence, distributed applications and computer-assisted in- structed. Kjell-Roald Langseth is currently a Research Fellow (adjunct) in Com- puter Science at the Department of Computer Science, University of Tromse, and Chief Executive Officer of Mikrosys as, Tromse, Norway. He received a as in Computer Science from the University of Tromse in 1986. Since 1985, Mr Langseth has been a technical consultant for the Royal Norwegian Ministry for Educa- tion. He has been involved in the development of the Norwegian tools for educational software and in addition, has been given courses in the design and development of educational soft- ware, based on the Grimstad-model. His current interests include design and development of educational software. Lately, his company has been involved in the development of the Winix system. 0167-9287/91/$03.50 © 1991 - Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All rights reserved