Web-Enhanced Preservice Training for Prospective Resource Parents: A Randomized Trial of Effectiveness and User...

Traditionally, prospective resource parents must attend all preservice training in person. While live sessions are necessary for activities such as screening applicants, instructional portions of training could be enhanced by web-based sessions. This pilot study compares the effectiveness of online and classroom versions of one session from a widely used preservice training program. Ninety-two individuals who volunteered to complete the program in two states were randomly assigned to a treatment group that viewed an online version of the class on child abuse and neglect or a comparison group that took the same class in person. Written questionnaires were completed before and after the class. Significant group differences on knowledge of child maltreatment and empathy toward birth parents, plus high user satisfaction, were hypothesized. ANCOVA results showed the online training was more effective than the live training at increasing knowledge. MANCOVA findings on empathy were not significant but trended toward greater empathy for the online group. Feedback indicated high satisfaction with the online course. If supported by future research, the finding that online instruction is more effective than live has positive implications for practice, because web-based training offers advantages like standardizing instruction, cutting agency and trainee costs, and providing greater flexibility.