[Utilization of Minicourses.] Final Report

This project established seven regional demonstration centers for the teacher training products "Minicourses" of the Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and Development. The goals of these centers were as follows: a) to attract awareness and interest of prospective users, b) to provide a setting in which educators could evaluate Minicourses, c) to link prospective users with agencies that could effect utilization of Minicourses, and d) to demonstrate the impact of a research and development product in schools. In addition, the project included an analysis of demonstrations as a technique for dissemination: a follow-up study investigated decision-making behavior and the utility of a visit to a center. It was concluded that the demonstration sites were successful in making contacts with educators and stimulating interest in Minicourses. Other conclusions of the project included the following: a) interpersonal communication is the preferred channel for information on innovations; b) decision-making process varies greatly among schools--few generalizations are possible; c) the skills of those conducting demonstrations and their knowledge of schools in the area were critical to success; and d) the short-range success of an educational innovation may be highly related to its congruence with customary school budgets. (Author/JA)