An experimental comparison of live versus video tape instruction on changing attitudes towards disabled persons

Pilkington, Katherine Elizabeth (1984) An experimental comparison of live versus video tape instruction on changing attitudes towards disabled persons. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This study was concerned with finding effective ways of changing the attitudes of teachers and Education students towards disabled persons in Newfoundland and Labrador. Since education was considered by many previous studies to be an important factor in attitude change, the study looked at the effects of a course offered by Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland, Education 3230, a survey course providing information about disabled children. Two modes of instruction, live instruction and video tape instruction, were considered to determine if one was more effective in changing attitudes. The original data were collected in 1974; additional data concerning live instruction were collected in 1981 to determine if there was any change in attitude over this time. -- There were 474 subjects in this study. There were five groups in the study: Group A, live instruction, on campus, in 1974; Group B, video tape instruction, off campus, in 1974; Group C, control, on campus, in 1974; Group D, live instruction, on campus, in 1981; Group E, control, on campus, in 1981. Students were not assigned individually to groups. There were at least two classes in each group. Half of the classes were used for pre-test data and half were used for post-test data to insure randomization. -- The instrument used to measure attitudes was the Attitudes Towards Disabled Persons Scale, forms A and B. A pre-test measurement was completed at the beginning of the term and a post-test measurement at the end of the term. -- The analysis included a two way ANOVA using the regression approach and a two way ANOVA using equal-sized groups. These showed that there was a difference among the groups in attitude but that no one group showed a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test. An aposteri procedure, the Newman-Keuls used to compare group mean scores, confirmed that there was no significant difference at the .05 level between pre and post-test means for any one group. The difference was between the 1974 and 1981 groups. An ANOVA using the regression approach was performed on each of eight demographic variables (occupation, grade level taught, age, sex, previous education course, having a disabled relative, frequency of contact and work experience), comparing the 1974 and 1981 data. The results supported the fact that the difference was between the two time periods. The only demographic variable to have a significant influence on actitude change was having a relative or friend who is disabled. -- The conclusion was that although the treatments had some effect, none were significant. The 1981 group had significantly more favorable attitudes than the 1974 groups, possibly because of increased public awareness and opportunity for contact and integration with the physically disabled. The results indicated that a course which provided information and an opportunity for close personal contact on a social level might be most effective in changing attitudes.

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