Attitudes to Educational Television with Special Reference to Educational Closed Circuit Television

Abstract

As educational institutions increasingly use media and methods based on educational technology it was decided to approach the attitudes of users by two stages. (1) Following an extensive enquiry into available literature and discussions with authors the need for an enquiry into attitude shift, was undertaken. The basis for this was the thesis by Shaw (1971) "Attitudes of Teachers and Students to Schools Broadcasts" where an examination of BBC and IBA programmes and the pedagogic attitudes of teachers and students was undertaken, A replication of the original study was planned and carried out. The results showed little shift in users attitudes to broadcasts and familiar shortcomings were highlighted. (2) A recurring need was seen for more liaison with programme makers and a desire by teachers and students to produce their own material with small scale closed circuit television equipment. This formed the basis of the second phase of the study with an attitude questionnaire plus ancillary information supplying data for subsequent analysis. The major findings were: a) ‘here is no statistically significant shift in attitude between Shaw's population (1971) and the present sample. b) Liaison with network producers is still too remote. c) Network programmes do not consistently meet the requirements of individual teachers in the classroom. d) There is no marked shift of attitudes between trainee teachers and their serving colleagues with both populations generally favourable to cctv. e) Both male and female teachers and students are favourably inclined towards cctv. f) Both at primary and secondary level teachers agree that cctv. is a valuable teaching tool. g) VTR/VCR editing facilities and associated courses are needed for both primary and secondary teachers. h) Older teachers (those with over 21 years experience) have more positive attitudes to cctv than many of their junior colleagues. Further enquiry could concentrate on:- a) The need for programmes devised and produced by pupils for peer viewing. b) The factors influencing the attitudes of older teachers towards cctv in schools. c) The effects of 'normal' and ‘abnormal’ viewing habits by pupils of network evening programmes on conventional learning in schools. eg. current affairs broadcasts and entertainment programmes. d) The ongoing need for the monitoring of attitudes and usage of educational broadcasts with regard to the advances in hardware technology and information access.