From: David Weiden
Date: 4/19/99
Time: 8:06:32 PM
Remote Name: 130.253.204.107
Please forgive the shameless plug, but I'd like to mention that I am conducting (with Earl Phippen) the first empirical research as to the effect on learning outcomes of teaching American Government without a textbook. I am using an experimental design to test my hypotheses, which state that students who learn American Government without using a textbook (1) will perform better on exams, (2) exhibit heightened interest in current political events, and (3) be more satisfied with the course. I designed this research project because I share Professor Groake's feelings about American Government textbooks (although I acknowledge that there are many excellent texts on the market) and wanted to test this theory using a treatment and control group. The experiment is ongoing, and so no conclusions can yet be drawn. However, to my surprise, the early data have not supported hypo 1. After the semester is over, I will analyze the results and hope to present them at a conference. I am happy, though, to send an electronic copy of the paper (once it's finished) to anyone who requests it. Comments and suggestions are welcome, of course, and much appreciated.
David Weiden
dweiden@du.edu ABD, University of Texas at Austin (public law, American govt., public policy) Adjunct, University of Northern Colorado, Department of Political Science