Home Economics Education Computer Research and Exemplary Projects: State of the Art and Supplements

Abstract

A study determined computer research and exemplary project needs in home economics education, identified such projects, and analyzed the relationship of research and exemplary project needs to projects identified. The questionnaire instructed respondents to describe their perceptions of research needs and exemplary project needs related to computers in home economics education and to identify and describe computer-related research and exemplary projects completed, underway, or planned in home economics education. The 381 responses (out of a possible 809) included 218 questionnaires and 163 follow-up postcards. Of the 218 respondents, 77% were teacher educators, 15% state supervisors, and 8% "other." The most frequently cited perceived research needs related to the concepts of computers and learning and instructional software. The most frequently perceived exemplary project needs were computers and learning and instructional software. Analysis of research projects described indicated that action research studies were the most common, that the most common research subjects were inservice home economics teachers, and that most projects were comprehensive in content covered. Analysis of exemplary projects described showed that most provided inservice for teachers and dealt with software or courseware applications at the secondary level. In general, the directions of research projects identified were consistent with needs identified by professionals. The exemplary projects described appeared to be progressing toward stated needs for such programs. Appendixes include summary tables and the survey instrument. The attached supplements to this report consist of two lists of respondent names (including institutions and addresses) and two sets of outline descriptions for the research and exemplary projects respectively. (YLB)