NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: ED408350
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1997-Mar
Pages: 13
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Curriculum Innovation Involving Subject Integration, Field-Based Learning Environments and Information Technology: A Longitudinal Case Study of Student Attitudes, Motivation, and Performance.
McKinnon, David H.; And Others
The adoption and impact of curriculum innovation are most commonly researched in terms of roles that teachers and school administrators are expected to play. A study in New Zealand focused on the responses of students. This integrated studies project developed alternative approaches to the traditional junior secondary school curriculum. It included extensive use of computers and a enquiry-based approach that explored Maori and European cultures while integrating mathematics, history, and language arts skills. Data were collected from 3 cohorts of students each over 3 years to provide complete data on 415 students. Results show that students who elected to be involved in the integrated studies program had more positive attitudes toward computer use than those in the traditional school program, and they also reported more enjoyment of out-of-class activities. Students in the integrated studies program were significantly less alienated than their counterparts in the regular grade-9 programs, and academic achievement was also higher for English, mathematics, and science. Results demonstrate a lag of over 3 years between the implementation of the curriculum elements and their complete use, and that student attitudes toward the program developed favorably over time. This suggests the importance of support and encouragement for teachers as they work to implement the innovations. (Contains 1 table and 11 references.) (SLD)
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New Zealand
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A