Why this emphasis on learning theory and research? First, learn- ing theories are a source of verifi ed instructional strategies, tactics, and techniques. Knowledge of a variety of such strategies is critical when attempting to select an eff ective prescription for overcoming a given instructional problem. Second, learning theories provide the foundation for intelligent and reasoned strategy selection. Designers must have an adequate repertoire of strategies available, and possess the knowledge of when and why to employ each. Th is knowledge depends on the designer’s ability to match the demands of the task with an instructional strategy that helps the learner. Th ird, integration of the selected strategy within the instructional context is of critical importance. Learning theories and research often provide information about relationships among instruc- tional components and the design of instruction, indicating how spe- cifi c techniques/strategies might best fi t within a given context and with specifi c learners (Keller, 1979). Finally, the ultimate role of a theory is to allow for reliable prediction (Richey, 1986). Eff ective solutions to practi- cal instructional problems are often constrained by limited time and resources. It is paramount that those strategies selected and implemented have the highest chance for success. As suggested by Warries (1990), a selection based on strong research is much more reliable than one based on “instructional phenomena.”