Reviews the use of media comparison studies in the field of educational technology, argues that they are weak and inappropriate, and recommends a new focus on the issues of instructional methods and learner characteristics. Discusses intra-medium studies and aptitude treatment interaction studies as better alternatives. (LRW)

In a national climate of moving the media research course from the undergraduate to graduate levels, this paper analyzes an innovative, easily replicative, and significantly successful new modality--implemented at an open-enrollment university in the Deep South--that may point the way to prevent termination of this essential course to…

Discusses inconclusive results in educational research about how mediated instruction affects the learner. Topics include the influence of microcomputers; flaws in comparative studies that concentrated on the physical attributes of the medium rather than instructional design issues; aptitude treatment interaction analysis; and media attributes and…

One of the objectives of Project TACT is to determine the potential of a gamut of educational media. The working papers in this set have a basis in pictorial information produced through computer graphics. These papers are intended to serve as a basis for sharpening questions, delineating the context within which the answers might be significant,…

Reviews evaluation studies, box-score reviews, and meta-analyses on effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) conducted from the 1960s through 1980s, using student achievement as a dependent measure. Conclusions are drawn as to CAI's effectiveness with regard to social and academic achievement and a cost analysis of CAI is provided. (29…

An evaluation was conducted at Northern Virginia Community College to assess the effectiveness of courses in nursing education presented in two distinctly different styles: the traditional lecture method; and a multimedia approach employing textbooks, audiovisual aids, study guides, and lectures. Using State Board of Nursing Examination Scores as…

"Readalong," a program employing a videotape format to teach vocabulary skills to early childhood learners, was tested in a standard classroom setting by comparing kindergarten, first, and second grade classes using the program with classes using only the conventional materials. At three points during the ten-week series, students were…

Describes a study that compared two formats, traditional and distance education, for a case analysis/case writing model in a graduate course in professional development. Discusses media theory; media attributes of realism, interactivity and feedback, and interface; knowledge acquisition; skill development; confidentiality; and networking.…

"Readalong," a program employing a videotape format to teach vocabulary skills to early childhood learners, was tested in an English-as-a-second-language (ESL) setting by comparing primary and advanced ESL classes using the program with classes using only the conventional teaching materials. Students received a test prior to the…

A compilation of papers from a joint Finnish-Russian seminar on problems of communication research, this collection presents diverse opinions and results from researchers and observers in both countries. The titles of the papers and their authors are as follows: (1) "Role of Research and Training in Mass Communication and Public Opinion"…

Focusing on media literacy, this yearbook compiles information on recent and current trends in media effects, including research on children and media, declarations related to the area, and a selection of relevant organizations and Web sites. The report first delineates children's rights as stipulated in the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the…