| Summary: | Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland. Education Bibliography: leaves 97-103 The purpose of this study was to develop and test a programmed unit on the topic, "The Principle of the Water Cycle.” This was done in response to an educational problem that centers around the fact that children vary individually in their learning Capabilities. Prior to and in conjunction with the development of the programmed unit a review of literature and research related to programmed instruction in general was conducted. Also, it was hypothesized that the linear type program when augmented with support materials leads to different achievement and retention over a three week interval than the traditional lecture method of instruction. -- The steps followed- in writing the- programmed unit were described and revisions were made on the basis of criticisms from a teacher, two graduate students a content specialist, and two grade seven students. Also, the programmed unit was subjected to the Thorndike-Lorge Word List and revisions were made where necessary in order to arrive at the grade seven level of reading. After the program was developed it was evaluated by comparing it to the traditional lecture method of instruction in an experimental versus a control group situation. -- The limitations and findings of the study were listed and described briefly. Also, suggestions for future research were listed and described. It was concluded that the programmed unit on the topic, "The Principle of the Water Cycle” might be able to be utilized as a substitute for- the teacher in presenting prerequisite material that is necessary for an understanding of the causes of relief rainfall and frontal rainfall. Also, the recommendation was offered that other areas of the social studies in which programmed units, could be utilized should be identified and programs developed to cope adequately with them. Furthermore, it was concluded that the findings were hot a function of the posttest or retention test.
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