NCJ Number
63374
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 30 Issue: 3 Pages: 3-6,20
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE OPERATION AND EVALUATION OF THE VISUAL RESPONSE SYSTEM (VRS), A RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, ARE DESCRIBED AS USED WITH SOME OHIO MALE JUVENILE OFFENDERS.
Abstract
THE VRS IS A CLASSROOM IN WHICH EACH STUDENT'S DESK HAS AN ATTACHED OR BUILT-IN OVERHEAD PROJECTOR, WHICH ENABLES STUDENTS TO RESPOND TO TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS BY MAKING WRITING OR OTHER ACTIVITY VISIBLE TO THE TEACHER ON THEIR PROJECTORS. THE TEACHER ALSO USES AN OVERHEAD PROJECTOR TO PRESENT VARIOUS STIMULI TO THE STUDENTS. IN ADDITION, AN INTEGRATED SOUND SYSTEM (INCLUDING A CASSETTE TAPE DECK AND INTERCOM) WITH INDIVIDUAL STUDENT HEADPHONES ENABLES THE TEACHER TO DELIVER AUDITORY FEEDBACK IN A CONTROLLED MANNER. A CONTROL CONSOLE AT THE TEACHER'S DESK OPERATES THE OVERHEAD PROJECTORS, THE SOUND SYSTEM, AND POINT COUNTERS AND FEEDBACK LIGHTS AT EACH STUDENT'S DESK. THE VRS PERMITS ACTIVE STUDENT RESPONSE AND IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK, WHICH ARE IMPORTANT IN WORKING WITH INSTITUTIONALIZED JUVENILE OFFENDERS WHO REQUIRE LARGE AMOUNTS OF LEARNING IN A RELATIVELY SHORT TIME. TO DATE, APPLIED RESEARCH HAS BEEN CONDUCTED WITH THE VRS IN LANGUAGE ARTS, SCIENCE, MATH, SELF-MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, AND FILLING OUT EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS FOR STUDENTS AGED 13-18 RESIDING AT THE BUCKEYE YOUTH CENTER. PRE- AND POSTTESTS SHOW THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VRS IN INCREASING KNOWLEDGE OVER A GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME. THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF AN INSERVICE PROGRAM TO TRAIN TEACHERS IN THE USE OF VRS ALSO YIELDED GOOD RESULTS. THE FAVORABLE RESULTS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT HAVE PROMPTED FUNDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF VRS CLASSROOMS IN THREE ADDITIONAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. ILLUSTRATIONS AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)