A Study Of The Attitudes Of Public School Teachers Toward Instructional Television In American Samoa

• Main Author: Faleali'I, Logoleo Tele'a V.
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholarly Commons 1976
• Subjects: Education
• Online Access: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3258; https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4254&context=uop_etds

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of institutionalization of ITV in the public schools of American Samoa. According to Evans, attitudes of users of innovations, such as ITV, provide evidence of institutionalization. This study proposed, in congruence with Evans' theory, to survey the attitudes of public school teachers toward ITV in American Samoa. PROCEDURES: The descriptive method was used to conduct the investigation of teacher attitudes toward lTV. The research was limited to a survey of the attitudes of all elementary, secondary, and contract teachers in American Samoa. The questionnaire was designed to sample teacher attitudes toward four aspects of ITV: (A) ITV as an Instructional Medium, (B) ITV as a Teacher Training Medium, (C) ITV as a Threat to Classroom Teachers' Job Security, and (D) ITV as a Future Instructional Medium in American Samoa. The reliability coefficient for the questionnaire was .84. A return of 240 (68.6%) out of 350 questionnaires was usable for data treatment. The responses to the questionnaire items were analyzed through the use of frequencies and percentage distribution, mean scores, Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, and analysis of variance with F ratios and t values for between-group effects on the eleven independent variables: teaching experience, in-service training, educational background, school assignment, subject assignment, social status (matai), district, sex, salary, administrative support, and age. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of this study, the following conclusions were drawn: 1. No significant relationships existed between the attitudes of teachers toward any of the four aspects of ITV and the following variables: (a) teaching experience, (b) subject area assignment, (c) social status (matai), (d) sex, and (e) age. 2. The attitudes of teachers toward ITV as an Instructional Medium were related significantly to the following variables: (a) inservice training, (b) educational background, (c) school assignment, (d) salary, and (e) administrative support. 3. The attitudes of teachers toward lTV as a Teacher Training Medium were related significantly to the following variables: (a) inservice training, (b) educational background, (c) school assignment, (d) salary, and (e) administrative support. 4. The attitudes of teachers toward ITV as a Threat to Classroom Teachers' Job Security were related significantly to the following variables: (a) inservice training, and (b) administrative support. 5. The attitudes of teachers toward ITV as a Future Instructional Medium in American Samoa were related significantly to the following variables: (a) inservice training, (b) geographic district, and (c) administrative support . . 6. The acceptance of ITV by elementary teachers could be a function of the following variables: (a) educational background, (b) school assignment, (c) salary, and (d) age. 7. Classroom teachers in American Samoa generally accept ITV as an instructional medium and ITV as a teacher training medium; they do not see ITV as a threat to their employment security; and, they agree that ITV has potentials as a future instructional medium in American Samoa. 8. There is evidence to believe that ITV has been institutionalized in the elementary schools; ITV has not been institutionalized in the secondary schools. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. The Department of Education (DOE) should insure the development of sound pre- and in-service training programs in the use of ITV and/or other instructional innovations. 2. Teachers with advanced educational backgrounds should be fully indoctrinated in the use of lTV. 3. DOE should continue to encourage the use of ITV in the elementary schools. 4. The less favorable responses from the Manu'a teachers suggest that the DOE should be more concerned about the impact of educational programs in that district. 5. A similar study should be conducted to further assess the attitudes of elementary teachers toward ITV and toward other innovations presently implemented at that level.