Author(s): Fred Carr, Isadore Newman
Video on demand (VOD) is a technological method that has great growth potential in assisting teachers in instructing students. Public Television WNEO/WEAO, 45/49 in Northeast Ohio developed video clips in Math and Science and matched these video clips with the state of Ohio student proficiency objectives for grades 4-9. The project demonstrated that significant concept attainment was possible through the use of VOD. The 45/49 project found that there were various start up difficulties. These difficulties related to teacher and school system inexperience in computer online setups. There were also difficulties related to the initial matching of video clips to subject objectives and the overall length and quality of the clips used. None of these difficulties however prevented the use of VOD as an effective teaching method.
Economic educators, entrepreneurs and the television media have the opportunity to develop innovative materials, which can duplicate the success of this study. Using the experiences of the 45/49 VOD model, various creative and effective VOD programs could be implemented. Economic educators could form beneficial partnerships with entrepreneurs and media organizations to provide cutting edge computerized instructions to meets increasing demands related to student proficiency examinations, many of which contain economic and entrepreneurial concepts.