Summarizes research findings on the structures, codes, and conventions of television as a communicative symbol, and on the effects of television on cognitive and social development. Suggests that television viewing can induce active cognitive processing, and that television can be a potent tool for teaching and communicating with young children.…

Investigates whether viewers of different ages are aware that camera lenses manipulate the apparent velocity and distance of events presented on television. Suggests that younger viewers do not understand how television production techniques manipulate perceptual information and may thus be misled by their use. (PD)

A collection of quotations drawn from research and opinion papers dealing with the impact of television viewing on children. Subtopics addressed are: television viewing statistics, effects of television violence, and the relationship of television to education. (JJD)

Suggests ways in which school, public, and special libraries can cope with television related demands, from circulating books promoted or dramatized on television to videotaping local events, as well as cooperating with local stations to provide information services to listeners. The current situation of public and cable television is also…

Discusses the many facets of the role of television in developing countries and describes the unscripted television play, a technique being used in Kenya to inform, educate, and entertain the population. (LLS)

A survey of more than 600 Michigan high school students suggests that adolescents who prefer television news and public affairs programs tend to feel their families, friends, and schools think public affairs are important; tend to be older; and tend not to be from a minority racial background. (GT)

Discusses the development of curricula to make children more critical evaluators of television content. Evaluates the extent to which children learned the content of the curricula, applied it to their reasoning about television programs, and used it to mediate between exposure to selected content and the effects of that content. (JMF)

Presents findings of research that studied the influence of television's behavioral models on young Puerto Rican children, including (1) types of models children chose; (2) their perceptions and moral judgments of the appropriateness of certain types of antisocial behavior; and (3) occupational aspirations and their perceptions of Puerto Rican…

Argues that television advertising is now the most powerful language in existence. Provides a "TV advertising test" to prove the point and outlines a unit designed to make students aware of the language of television commercials while improving their writing and thinking skills. (FL)

A full week of lessons, including field trips and speakers, is outlined to teach intermediate grade pupils to explore television and view it more critically. (SJL)

Describes a study that tested whether the accessibility of information in memory mediates the cultivation effect (the effect of television viewing on social perceptions), consistent with the availability heuristic. Shows that heavy viewers gave higher frequency estimates (cultivation effect) and responded faster (accessibility effect) than did…

Describes several high school television communications projects. Asserts that video production helps develop students' basic reading and writing skills as well as higher thinking skills. (MM)

Identifies the cognitive skills necessary for children to accurately comprehend projective size on television. Traces the acquisition of these skills and identifies the role of media experience in facilitating comprehension by assessing the extent to which different types of television fare require the use of different cognitive skills. (MS)

Discusses a model of television interpretation processes regarding the influences of alcohol advertising and describes a study that tested the model with preadolescent at-risk students. Highlights include perceptions of alcohol use at home and on television; social norms; perceived realism of commercials; and intent to drink. (41 references) (LRW)

Describes a telephone survey that investigated differences in information needs during the viewing of serious news programs (i.e., The MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour) versus routine news (i.e., network news). Topics discussed include the role of the news media; types of television news; and television news program effects. (43 references) (LRW)