Psychological Reports, 1978, 42, 573-574. @ Psychological Reports 1978
SIMULATION OF EXCEPTIONALITIES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS H. G. DAHL, K. R. HORSMAN, R. N. ARKELL
Sakdchewan Department of Educatiod Summary.-A non-equivalent control group design was used to investigate the effectiveness of four simulation experiences in modifying the attitudes of 6 3 smdents in Grade 5 towards their handicapped peers. Experience in mawheelchair was the only simulation which significantly increased neuvecing amimdes, as measured by a social distance checklist, towards persons having a handicap.
'
Recently educators have focused attention on use of simulation experiences to promote behavioral and attitudinal change (Abt, 1970; Zukerman & Horn, 1973). However, little effort has been expended in evaluating the impact of such experiences on student learning (Dukes & Wallet, 1976). Of concern wA the effectiveness of experiences with simulation in changing elementary school students' attitudes towards their handicapped peers. Using a non-equivalent control group design, two Grade 5 classes (experimental group) participated in a x - h r . simulation. All scudents experienced the frustrations associated with four handicaps: hearing, visual, co-ordination, and physical impairment. Since the handicaps were presented at learning stations each dass was divided into four groups and rotated ac 10-min. intervals until every learning station had been visited by each group. One Grade 5 dass (control group) received the classroom instruction regularly scheduled for that day. All groups were pretested before the simulation and posrtested following its completion. Data were collected using a social distance checklist (Shears & Jensema, 1969) and the Attitude Towards Disabled Persons scale (Vinish, 1974). Two instruments designed by the researchers were also administered. The Abilities of Handicapped Persons scale listed recreational activities on which respondents were asked to check those activities they felt handicapped individuals could do independently. Split-half reliability was .73. The Attitude Towards the Handicapped scale consisted of G open-ended statements. Students were asked to complete each statement. Scoring was based upon procedures established by Feldhusen, Thurston, and Benning ( 1966). Split-half reliability was .68. Seven analyses of covariance were performed using pretest scores as the covariates. A significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups on only one of the variables investigated, attitude towards the 'Development Division, 2220 College Ave., Regina S4P 2Y8.
5 74
H. G. DAHL, ET AL.
TABLE 1 ACTUALMEANSCORES,ADJUSTEDMEAN SCORES, P RATIOS, AND DBGREESOF FREEDOM FOR EXPERJMBNTAL AND CONTROLGROUPSON CRITERIA Criterion Variables
n Social Distance Visual Handicap Hearing Handicap Physical Handicap Mental Retardation Abilities of Handicapped Persons Scale Attitude Towards Disabled Persons Scale Attitude Towards the Handicapped Scale
Pretest M Experi- Conmental trol Group Group
Posttest M Experi- Control mental Group Group
Adjusted Posttest Means Covariate Pretest Score Experi- Conmental trol Group Group 63 26
R/BB
63
26
63
26
4.57
3.92
4.51
3.92
4.42
4.15
2.29
4.30
3.77
4.25
3.73
4.15
3.97
1.60
4.40
3.96
4.52
3.96
4.48
4.08
5.lZL
3.97
3.23
4.10
3.27
3.94
3.64
2.65
11.84
10.23
12.16
10.15
11.82
10.96
1.47
25.86
25.50
25.84
25.46
25.78
25.61
0.24
18.37
18.42
18.02
18.73
18.02
18.70
1.72
physically impaired ( T a b I e 1). T h e s e results suggest t h a t simulations m a y have limited value for c h a n g i n g G r a d e 5 students' attitudes towards their handicapped peers. REFERENCES Aa-r, C. C. Serious games. New York: Viking, 1970. DUKES, R. L., & WALLER,S. J. Toward a general evaluation model for simulation games. G.E.M. Simulation Games, 1976, 7, 75-96. FELDHUSBN,J. F., THURSTON, J. R., & BENNING, J. J. Sentence completion responses and classroom social behavior. Personnel and Guidance lournal, 1966, 45, 165170. SHEARS,L. M., & JENSBMA,C. J. Social acceptability of anomalous persons. Exceptional Children, 1969, 36, 91-96. VINISH,M. T. Modification of children's attitudes toward the handicapped: an assessment of the effectiveness of a specific unit of study. Unpublished Master's thesis, Univer. of Saskatchewan, 1974. ZUKERMAN,D. W., & HORN, R. E. The guide to simuIations/games for education and training. Lexington, Mass.: Information Resources, 1973. Accepted Marcb 2, 1978.
SIMULATION OF EXCEPTIONALITIES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS H. G. DAHL, K. R. HORSMAN, R. N. ARKELL
Sakdchewan Department of Educatiod Summary.-A non-equivalent control group design was used to investigate the effectiveness of four simulation experiences in modifying the attitudes of 6 3 smdents in Grade 5 towards their handicapped peers. Experience in mawheelchair was the only simulation which significantly increased neuvecing amimdes, as measured by a social distance checklist, towards persons having a handicap.
'
Recently educators have focused attention on use of simulation experiences to promote behavioral and attitudinal change (Abt, 1970; Zukerman & Horn, 1973). However, little effort has been expended in evaluating the impact of such experiences on student learning (Dukes & Wallet, 1976). Of concern wA the effectiveness of experiences with simulation in changing elementary school students' attitudes towards their handicapped peers. Using a non-equivalent control group design, two Grade 5 classes (experimental group) participated in a x - h r . simulation. All scudents experienced the frustrations associated with four handicaps: hearing, visual, co-ordination, and physical impairment. Since the handicaps were presented at learning stations each dass was divided into four groups and rotated ac 10-min. intervals until every learning station had been visited by each group. One Grade 5 dass (control group) received the classroom instruction regularly scheduled for that day. All groups were pretested before the simulation and posrtested following its completion. Data were collected using a social distance checklist (Shears & Jensema, 1969) and the Attitude Towards Disabled Persons scale (Vinish, 1974). Two instruments designed by the researchers were also administered. The Abilities of Handicapped Persons scale listed recreational activities on which respondents were asked to check those activities they felt handicapped individuals could do independently. Split-half reliability was .73. The Attitude Towards the Handicapped scale consisted of G open-ended statements. Students were asked to complete each statement. Scoring was based upon procedures established by Feldhusen, Thurston, and Benning ( 1966). Split-half reliability was .68. Seven analyses of covariance were performed using pretest scores as the covariates. A significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups on only one of the variables investigated, attitude towards the 'Development Division, 2220 College Ave., Regina S4P 2Y8.
5 74
H. G. DAHL, ET AL.
TABLE 1 ACTUALMEANSCORES,ADJUSTEDMEAN SCORES, P RATIOS, AND DBGREESOF FREEDOM FOR EXPERJMBNTAL AND CONTROLGROUPSON CRITERIA Criterion Variables
n Social Distance Visual Handicap Hearing Handicap Physical Handicap Mental Retardation Abilities of Handicapped Persons Scale Attitude Towards Disabled Persons Scale Attitude Towards the Handicapped Scale
Pretest M Experi- Conmental trol Group Group
Posttest M Experi- Control mental Group Group
Adjusted Posttest Means Covariate Pretest Score Experi- Conmental trol Group Group 63 26
R/BB
63
26
63
26
4.57
3.92
4.51
3.92
4.42
4.15
2.29
4.30
3.77
4.25
3.73
4.15
3.97
1.60
4.40
3.96
4.52
3.96
4.48
4.08
5.lZL
3.97
3.23
4.10
3.27
3.94
3.64
2.65
11.84
10.23
12.16
10.15
11.82
10.96
1.47
25.86
25.50
25.84
25.46
25.78
25.61
0.24
18.37
18.42
18.02
18.73
18.02
18.70
1.72
physically impaired ( T a b I e 1). T h e s e results suggest t h a t simulations m a y have limited value for c h a n g i n g G r a d e 5 students' attitudes towards their handicapped peers. REFERENCES Aa-r, C. C. Serious games. New York: Viking, 1970. DUKES, R. L., & WALLER,S. J. Toward a general evaluation model for simulation games. G.E.M. Simulation Games, 1976, 7, 75-96. FELDHUSBN,J. F., THURSTON, J. R., & BENNING, J. J. Sentence completion responses and classroom social behavior. Personnel and Guidance lournal, 1966, 45, 165170. SHEARS,L. M., & JENSBMA,C. J. Social acceptability of anomalous persons. Exceptional Children, 1969, 36, 91-96. VINISH,M. T. Modification of children's attitudes toward the handicapped: an assessment of the effectiveness of a specific unit of study. Unpublished Master's thesis, Univer. of Saskatchewan, 1974. ZUKERMAN,D. W., & HORN, R. E. The guide to simuIations/games for education and training. Lexington, Mass.: Information Resources, 1973. Accepted Marcb 2, 1978.
