KCTS Television Science; An Evaluation Report

An evaluation of the elementary school science programing of KCTS-TV in Seattle took the form of a survey and an experiment. First, a survey of classroom teachers to determine the utilization of televised science instruction showed that KCTS's programs were being widely used and were considered to be both appropriate for the grade one to four level and effective in teaching science. Second, an experiment was devised to test the effect of televised science instruction on student achievement and teacher classroom behavior. Neither pupils nor teachers using television achieved significantly better than controls, but patterns of teaching and of asking questions appeared to alter with television use. Recommendations for changes and further research are made. (RB)