The effects of interactive video on cognitive achievement and attitude toward learning

The purpose of this experimentally designed study was to determine the effects of an interactive videodisc program, entitled "Diabetic Health Assessment," versus traditional lecture on cognitive learning and affective behaviors of baccalaureate nursing students. It was hypothesized that: 1) there would be no significant difference in the cognitive achievement scores between those students taught by an interactive videodisc program (experimental group) compared to those students taught by a traditional lecture method (control group), and 2) there would be a statistically significant difference in student attitude toward learning between those students taught by an interactive videodisc program compared to students taught by a traditional lecture method. Eighty-three third-year baccalaureate nursing students at a major urban university served as subjects and were randomly assigned to either a control (n = 41) or an experimental group (n = 42). The multivariate analysis of covariance with two criteria and the pretest as the covariate was significant (p = .000, df = 4, 140) indicating that the adjusted posttest scores on the two measures were significantly different for the experimental group compared to the control group. The univariate F for the cognitive measure was nonsignificant (p = .283, df = 2, 72) indicating that students' achievement under interactive video is not significantly different than under traditional lecture. The univariate F for the affective measure was significant (p = .000, df = 2, 72) indicating that the students learning by interactive video possessed a more positive attitude toward learning than those learning by traditional lecture method of instruction.