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Computer‐Based Simulation for Observing Child Behavior
Author(s) -
Durrett Mary Ellen,
Richards Phyllis
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
home economics research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 0046-7774
DOI - 10.1177/1077727x7600500203
Subject(s) - group (periodic table) , mathematics education , psychology , simulation , computer science , physics , quantum mechanics
The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of computer‐based simulation ver sus observation in a laboratory nursery school. Subjects were students enrolled in two classes of an introductory course in child development who were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=24) or a control (n=30) group. Subjects in the experimental group were taught to observe the behavior of children using sound/color film modules of individual children. Open‐ended questions were presented by the computer terminal which gave immediate feedback and assistance. Students in the control group observed children in the laboratory nursery school. Pre‐ and posttests were given, and the results revealed that all students improved their ability to observe from the pre‐ to posttest. However, students in the experimental group improved more than those in the control group.