The Agency for Instructional Television (AIT) has proposed a cooperative project among the states and provinces to develop instructional materials combining the use of microcomputers and television in a move to improve the problem-solving abilities of students in the sixth through eighth grades. (MP)

Identified patterns that characterized soap operas, cartoons, and prime-time drama: (1) the predominant form of interaction was dyadic; (2) the most frequent speakers and receivers of messages were males; (3) the most pervasive message was an assertion of dominance; and (4) the concept of power was not sex-linked. (PD)

Argues that formative research (research intended to provide practical answers) is an important tool in the production of effective programs for use in instructional television, particularly in developing nations. (JJD)

Examines the differences between researchers and practitioners in the field of educational television, assesses the value of current research to television producers, and concludes that cooperation between researcher and practitioner is necessary for effective communication with the audience. (JJD)

This discussion of positive and negative aspects of media in religious education is based on Church documents, including and following the Documents of Vatican II, and on the author's own experiences as an elementary school teacher. Eleven references are listed. (Author/LLS)

Analyzes the image of the elderly, those age 60 and over, presented on television programs imported to Israel. Older characters are presented as more independent but less effective; less liberal and more conformist; more "family-functional" and less beautiful; less able; less future-oriented; less clean and orderly; and less sexually…

The author discusses the distorted picture of work and careers found in many popular television shows and suggests lesson activities to help students critically analyze this aspect of television programing. (SJL)

Describes an experimental viewer participation program, using special networks of cable television systems across the United States and supplemented by coverage from interested public television stations, which allows television to be used by organizations that have traditionally been unable due to high cost to communicate to a widely scattered…

Bergen Community College's Center for Public Media Programming produces courses broadcast by CBS stations around the country and which are offered for credit by other community colleges. The courses, called "Summer Semester," are offered to students unable to attend classes. They consist of half-hour lectures or discussions. (MLW)

In this paper the "Sesame Street" planning documents are analysed. The assumptions about television, curriculum and pedagogy are discussed in relation to the program which has initially developed. The author seeks to show the educational limitations of a preschool program based on models of commercial television and mass advertising.…

A brief case study illustrates the role of formative research in the design of Health Minutes, a combined television, radio, and print campaign produced by the Children's Television Workshop to promote improved health practices. (LLS)

Examines the 1978-79 prime time television season on the three major networks to determine the frequency and portrayal of sex. Results were compared with data from the 1975 and 1977 seasons and demonstrate an increased frequency of references to physically intimate and sexual behaviors. (JMF)

Summarizes the major research findings on the relationship between television violence and aggressive behavior; concludes that, while there is no definitive proof that such a relationship exists, the evidence points strongly in that direction. (GT)

Tested hypotheses that action/adventure characters are perceived by teenagers as likely to engage in antisocial conflict resolution; situation comedy/family drama characters, in prosocial modes. Also tested was hypothesis that, as favorite character's perceived use of a mode increases, so does the viewer's intention to use the same mode. (SW)

Presents a study of the relationship between gratifications sought from television news and gratifications obtained from network evening news programs. Gratification dimensions used in the study include: general information seeking, decisional utility, entertainment, interpersonal utility, and parasocial interaction. (JMF)