Barriers to the use of The Electric Company (TEC) instructional television (ITV) series in primary education classrooms are examined. Findings from interviews with teachers in classrooms where ITV facilities are available and professional ITV spokespersons are summarized. Based upon the findings from these interviews and past ITV research, the…

The following methods are suggested to measure the comprehensibility of Children's Television Workshop productions: (1) comprehension tests inserted into the program; (2) dual audio testing--a technique which inserts comprehension questions into the empty spaces in the regular program audio track; and (3) program interruptions which permit…

Methods are suggested to measure the program appeal and audience attention of Children's Television Workshop productions. Among these are distractor techniques, one which permits subjects to discriminate between two simultaneously broadcast programs by selecting the audio track they most prefer and one used to rank order several programs.…

Shows how "3-2-1 Contact," a public television science series, was applied to social studies instruction, identifying "Sesame Street" and "Square One TV" as additional educational resources produced by Children's Television Workshop. Lists classroom materials available for use with CTW programs, states U.S. copyright…

Describes the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) approach toward research and development and provides an overview of this issue that highlights CTW. The CTW model of research and development is explained; formative and summative evaluation are discussed; and changing learning environments at home, at school, and in the community are considered.…

A review of the contributions of evaluation to school television is presented, and some policy suggestions for evaluation programs are offered. The purpose is to assist the Agency for Instructional Television (AIT) in determining how to utilize evaluative research in conducting its projects and the focus is upon decision-making related to the…

A fundamental distinction is made between basic research which seeks out new, generalizable knowledge, and administrative research which provides information useful to decision makers who have a task to perform. Attention is then given to four types of administrative research: background research, formative research, summative research, and policy…

The United States Office of Education (USOE) policy in funding purposive television programing for children was investigated. Information and policy recommendations were gathered from existing sources in the general literature, USOE file materials, 10 single-topic commissioned papers, a 10-member advisory board, a Federal advisory group, and…

Volume 2 of an investigation conducted for the United States Office of Education reprints ten commissioned papers which provided input to Volume 1. These papers address the areas of self-concept development, economically disadvantaged children, sexism in television, diversity in a mass medium, Federal involvements in commercial television,…