Using online components to facilitate program implementation: impact of technological enhancements to all stars on...

The ease with which programs can be delivered may impact sustainability, fidelity, and ultimately program effectiveness in a dissemination environment. This paper presents results from a study examining the ability of technological enhancements to make it easier for teachers to deliver All Stars, an evidence-based drug prevention program. These enhancements were designed to save time for teachers, produce improvements in quality of delivery, and provide features to increase students' involvement. Results of a randomized field trial revealed that teachers who used the enhancements found it easier to implement key program components compared to facilitators who taught the program as usual. Teachers in the technology-enhanced condition reduced the time required to complete otherwise time-consuming tasks. They also reported the ability to deliver more of the program, although they also reported more modifications and omitted activities within sessions when compared to teachers who delivered the program as usual. Moreover, teachers' attitudes about the program improved after their experience with the enhancements, the vast majority wishing to continue to use them in the future. Results suggest that modest gains in quality of program delivery can be expected when online applications designed to make tasks easier can be adopted by prevention service providers. On the other hand, enhancements that require special skill sets regarding computer-based methods may provide no clear benefit.