A survey of administrators', teachers', and parents' perceptions of the value and effectiveness of a commercial computer-managed instruction program
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation of a commercial CMI package in a public school system. To achieve this end, the perceptions of administrators, teachers, and parents representing the South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC), South Bend, Indiana, toward the functionality, utility, and effectiveness of a commercially-prepared Computer Managed Instruction program on reading achievement at the elementary level were assessed. Reading achievement data from 1983 through 1986 were collected. The Houghton-Mifflin Reading Series was used for classroom instruction and Houghton-Mifflin's Classroom Answer (CA) CMI program was used to support reading instruction via the Apple IIe microcomputer. Survey results, follow-up interviews, and an analysis of variance of total reading achievement test scores yielded quantitative as well as qualitative data with which to make judgments regarding perceptions of the value of a commercially-prepared CMI program. Analyses of test data revealed a slight downward trend in total reading achievement scores of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students enrolled in the SBCSC since implementation of a commercially-prepared CMI program. As anticipated, there was a wide range of expressions of sympathy with or hostility toward the CA CMI program as implemented in the South Bend Community School Corporation. Conclusions and recommendations were made based on analysis of this data. Some of the researchers conclusions were; primary grade students had difficulty filling out student response sheets; teachers were not relieved of burdensome clerical tasks; training in the use of the CA CMI program was not sufficient; teachers expressed anxiety about the potential for misuse of information generated by the program: teachers did not feel "ownership" of the program; the amount and type of information generated by the system was satisfactory; system reports were useful; the system operated most efficiently when a paid aide was assigned to operate the system's hardware and software.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Lehman, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Curricula|Teaching
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