Effectiveness of the Interactive Videodisc-Enhanced German Gateway Program
Abstract
Integration of emerging instructional technologies into existing training programs has the goal of improving training while reducing costs. Evaluation of new systems in the context of the training program is the best method for determining if this goal is being achieved. The Defense Language Institute (DLI) developed an interactive videodisc (IVD) system for use in the German Gateway course. The IVD system was evaluated in a field test. The objectives of the research were (1) to compare the effectiveness and acceptability of the video-enhanced German Gateway program with the existing German Gateway program and (2) to identify user issues in the adoption of the interactive video course materials. Group comparability was assessed for demographic and German-language-experience measures. Students' German proficiency and attitudes about the course were compared. Language proficiency was measured both by self-report and by pairs of trained raters in an Oral Proficiency Examination. The two groups were comparable on precourse measures with the exception of time in Germany. However, the final examination for the course was changed at the same time as the introduction into the course of the IVD materials and probably contributed to the effect. Listening comprehension of German was also better for the IVD Field Test group than for the Baseline group.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA193179
Entities
People
- Ana G. Ekstrom
- Dwight J. Goehring
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences