The development and evaluation of a proposed industrial-technical classroom publication

This study dealt with the development and evaluation of a prototype issue of a proposed industrial-technical periodical intended for classroom use in industrial arts. It was hypothesized that such a periodical could contribute significantly to creating a better understanding of the industrial and technical aspects of our society on the part of industrial arts students. It was anticipated that the development and evaluation of the prototype would provide a stimulus for thought and provide a basis for reaction to the concept of such a periodical. The initial phase of the development of the prototype issue involved the decision to have the publication be primarily a digest of current articles from existing publications. After reviewing many technical, trade, and industrial journals, specialty magazines, and house organs, sixteen articles were selected as being suitable for the prototype. Permission to condense and reprint the articles was requested from the various editors and organizations. Of the thirteen replies received, each editor offered full cooperation. Tentative evaluation forms were developed after producing a "paste-up" version of the prototype, and completing a teacher's guide. After completing changes recommended by a jury, the prototype, teacher's guide, and evaluation instruments in their final form were sent to one hundred teacher educators selected at random from the American Council on Industrial Arts Teacher Education, and to fifty-eight ninth grade general shop teachers. Teachers who expressed a willingness to have their students participate were provided with sufficient copies of the prototype and the evaluation form which was developed for students...