Outlines and analyzes the predominant aesthetics of U.S. public television (PTV) contributors and viewers. Relies on cultural and structural theories to demonstrate how PTV aesthetics are reinforced by specific ideological positions and historical trends. Tracks PTV usage and support as the product of confusing and sometimes contradictory cultural…

Studies the effects of the visual component of television news upon viewer recall of content. Asserts that story brevity, background information scarcity, and the combination of visual and verbal information in television news militate against learning by viewers. Concludes that visual elements tend to be more memorable than verbal ones. (SG)

Describes the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) approach toward research and development and provides an overview of this issue that highlights CTW. The CTW model of research and development is explained; formative and summative evaluation are discussed; and changing learning environments at home, at school, and in the community are considered.…

Discusses technological and program-design barriers to wider use of television in classroom instruction and describes the steps that the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) took to make "3-2-1 Contact," its educational television science series, a more effective tool for classroom instruction. The development and testing of prototype…

CYBERCHASE, an interactive math-based adventure series for young viewers, is entering its fifth season on public broadcasting stations in the United States. This article explore season highlights and suggests benefits of using CYBERCHASE to supplement math lessons in school and at home.

Cyberchase is an animated television series airing on public broadcasting stations throughout the United States. It focuses on mathematics for elementary-level students ages 8-11 and is designed to engage young people with math concepts in a highly stimulating multimedia format. As part of continuing program improvement, a website for parents and…

Investigations of the growth of children's communicative behavior and ability, in terms of their interactions with media and their communication with other people, are described in this book. The first chapter presents an overview of the studies, explains the developmental perspective that characterizes them, and identifies some issues fundamental…

Information for a tabular study of instructional television (ITV) series was supplied via questionnaire by 81 educational television stations, the Midwest Program on Airborne Television Instruction, 41 closed-circuit installations, and 51 commercial channels. Most of the series offerings (72%) were designed for elementary grades. Offerings for…

The Texas Educational Telecommunications Study examined problems and solutions involved in providing telecommunication support to education for the state of Texas. Extensive analyses were made in order to (1) delineate the objective that a telecommunications system should meet, (2) establish criteria that would be satisfied, (3) survey Texas…

Psychosocial adaptations are sometimes affected by experiences that are ordinarily considered to be amusements. In 1974, a field study was undertaken by the Program on Psychosocial Adaptation and the Future to determine if it is possible to measure the effect of television on adult viewers. A sample of 260 couples, controlled for demographic…

The role of technology in non-traditional higher education is analyzed with particular emphasis on technology-based networks. A brief overview is presented on non-traditional programs, institutions, and consortia. Non-traditional programs which utilize technology are studied. Technology-based networks are surveyed and analyzed with regard to kinds…

Since the Catholic leadership in the United States is convinced that television can be the tool for revitalizing education, they commissioned a study to determine the best way to use the medium. Nine dioceses are already using instructional television fixed service (ITFS) distribution systems. The uses of ITFS are listed, and the ITFS system is…

The current (1972) status of cable television (CATV) in Massachusetts is reviewed in this guide. The tone of the guide is oriented toward more citizen participation and public access to CATV operations throughout the state. The legal and technical CATV considerations are briefly discussed. Short illustrated chapters on the possibilities of local…

Rapid changes and improvements in the communication and information technologies which emerged in the mid 20th Century and which are still being developed today require new methods, constructions, and arrangements in the production and distribution of information. We can easily say that Television has experienced the dexterity of presenting…

All real classrooms are saturated in the fictional narratives about education from TV and movies that swirl about thickly and persistently in western culture, yet the influence that these fictions exert on real teachers and real students is seldom examined. This article argues that since these fictional narratives nearly always deal in recycled…