Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Sandra Eidson
Committee Member
Carolyn Buckenmaier
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
Atlanta, classroom teachers, communication technology, experimental programs, Georgia, homebound instruction, homebound students, homebound technicians, interactive communication technology, interactive video, middle school students, parents, school environment, students, suburban Atlanta, teachers, telecommunications, technology, tutorial programs, two-way video systems, video systems, virtual classrooms
Abstract
The purpose of this applied dissertation was to demonstrate the effectiveness of interactive communication technology in meeting the unique needs of homebound middle school students by replacing the current 3-hour-a-week tutorial program with a two-way video system. The subjects were 7 middle school aged homebound students in suburban Atlanta, Georgia.
The preliminary project examined archival data concerning 7 middle school students who were participants in the 3- hour-a-week tutorial homebound program. These students, their parents, and their teachers were interviewed about their experience in the 3-hour-a-week tutorial homebound program.
This applied dissertation determined the components and procedures needed to establish the experimental two-way video system. A guide was created to explain the equipment usage and the role of the classroom teacher, homebound technician, student, and parent.
Due to circumstances beyond the researcher’s control, the subsequent additional research was not able to be conducted, but the preliminary findings indicated that the 2-way video system would assist the homebound student to adjust to the confines of being away from the school environment. This supports prior research findings.