The Use of a Microcomputer to Teach Color Concepts: Effectiveness and Relationship Between Attitudes and Learning Styles

Abstract

The purposes of this project were to develop a microcomputer-assisted instruction (MCAI) lesson on color concepts, evaluate it's effectiveness, and determine whether relationships existed between achievement and attitudes or preferred learning styles. Students enrolled in an introductory college level course in design and clothing construction completed the MCAI lesson, a pre- and post-test, an Attitude Measure, and a Learning Style Preference Inventory. Results indicated that the MCAI lesson was effective in increasing the knowledge of students about the specific color concepts included in the lesson. Furthermore, a relationship existed between achievement and student attitudes. The attitude subset which contributed to predicting the posttest score was clarity of the lesson. High correlations were also found between clarity and two other subsets: (1) instructional value, and (2) freedom and responsibility felt. Generally the more positive the attitude, the higher the posttest score was. No significant relationship was found between achievement and preferences for particular learning styles.