The purpose of this study was to develop and test an audio-tutorial, independent study program on simple machines to meet the individual needs of elementary in-service teachers. The research was designed to determine how well in-service teachers could learn the specific content involved using this particular approach. Advantage was taken of the teaching skills and methods which teachers employ in their own classes. Pre- and post-tests of the Smith Mechanic Test were administered.Two samples were drawn from the population of elementary teachers in the Science 590 extension and summer classes at Ball State University. There was a control group of twenty-nine elementary teachers and an experimental group of forty-eight elementary teachers. The experimental group used the audio-tutorial program. The control group received classroom instruction over the specific content involved. The difference in means between groups was examined for significance using a two-tailed t-test. No significant difference was found on the pre-test. A significant difference beyond the 0.01 level was found on the post-test (t = 2.87, 75 d.f.). Each group was considered separately for significance in the mean gain. The control group showed significance at the 0.05 level (t = 2.05, 28 d.f.). The experimental group showed significance beyond the 0.001 level (t = 13.54, 47 d.f.). It was concluded that the audio-tutorial program afforded a much better mode for practice over the specific content involved than did classroom instruction. It was recommended that the program be used in conjunction with elementary pupils in order to measure any increase in teacher competency more accurately; that the program be used in a teaching situation other than the extension class in order to measure retention; that the program be used as one mode of presentation in the Science 590 classes; and that administrators institute this program into schools as part of continuing in-service training.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/176791 |
| Date | January 1971 |
| Creators | Hinds, Conrade Carlyle |
| Contributors | Bernhardt, Frank L. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | iv, 47 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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