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Effectiveness of Television in Teaching Home Nursing: A Comparison of Television and Classroom Instruction in Teaching the Red Cross Home Nursing Course (Preliminary Report)

Author(s):
Shimberg, Benjamin
Publication Year:
1954
Report Number:
RB-54-19
Source:
ETS Research Bulletin
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
53
Subject/Key Words:
National American Red Cross, Educational Television, Instructional Effectiveness, Nursing, Program Effectiveness

Abstract

The National American Red Cross requested Educational Testing Service to evaluate the effectiveness of television in teaching the Home Nursing Course. The Red Cross wanted to find out (1) whether TV could be used effectively to teach home nursing to adults viewing the program at home and (2) how the results of such instruction compared with the results of the conventional classroom method. The Red Cross also wished to obtain some indication of students' reaction to this method of instruction. Television instruction was found to be as effective as classroom instruction in teaching facts about home nursing and in promoting an understanding of the principles involved in care of the sick. Students taught by TV did almost as well on the performance test as those taught in the classroom, although they spent less time receiving instruction. While the differences in final test scores between the two TV groups and the Standard Class group were statistically reliable, this difference was too small to be considered of practical significance.

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