Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the potential for using computer conferencing to provide feedback and coaching to teachers and, thereby, improve the results of inservice training. The sample consisted of 30 third and fifth grade teachers and 300 of their respective students from schools around the state of Texas. The teachers in this study received three days of inservice training in error pattern analysis--an effective method for diagnosing and remediating mathematics errors in students. Following the training, each teacher was assigned to one of three treatment groups for feedback, either computer conferencing, electronic mail, or regular mail. The teachers were to use their assigned feedback technique to receive further assistance in integrating their newly learned skills into classroom practice. Data were collected and analyzed across one semester to determine if differences resulted between groups in any of three areas: level of feedback use, change in teacher or student attitude towards the subject matter, or change in student achievement. The findings of this study revealed that the teachers used both computer-based forms of feedback significantly more often than the regular mail, but the total numbers of interactions were low, and a qualitative analysis of the interactions revealed that no intelligible requests for feedback were made with regard to the content of the training. All interactions dealt with managerial types of information in regard to the requirements of the study. Changes in teacher and student attitudes towards mathematics did not vary significantly across the term of the study. The third grade students showed a significant gain in numeration skills as compared to the fifth grade students, but this result cannot be inferred to be due to a treatment effect. The investigator suggests that further investigations in this area should be conducted and makes several recommendations for future study.
Lindstrom, Leonard Carl (1987). Integrating feedback into teacher inservice training : a potential application for computer conferencing. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -754030.