Date of Award
5-1987
Culminating Project Type
Thesis
Department
Special Education
College
School of Education
First Advisor
Floyd Ayers
Second Advisor
Steven Williams
Third Advisor
Russell Schmidt
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Keywords and Subject Headings
Microcomputer, group homes, Minnesota
Abstract
PROBLEM:
The purpose of this study was to investigate and report on the C1,1I'rent and planned use of microcomputers in Minnesota Residential Facilities and Group Homes for the Mentally Retarded. Microcomputers have become more prominent in society in general and in the schools in particular. Historically, Minnesota Residential Facilities have been making a transition from a medical to a programmatic or educational model. The use, or anticipated use of computers as a component of the educational model are in a way a measure of the progress with this transition. This descriptive study provides information on this computer related aspect of this transition.
PROCEDURE:
A sample of Minnesota group homes was selected at random and stratified by size and location. The subjects of the sample were notified of the nature and extent of the survey by mail. The survey schedule was subsequently administered by telephone. The topics covered included current and planned use for the next three years in the areas of accounting, personnel, resident records and program planning. Information was also gathered on both the experience and formal training of group home staff members and on the use of ·computers by individuals residing in the homes. Questions about the use of computers and automated learning equipment in the residents’ school and day programs were included. A subsequent study reviewed changes in computer use in all of the facilities included in the first study. This second study surveyed the same facilities in the first study and was once more conducted by telephone.
FINDINGS:
Examination ·of the results of the responses to the initial survey indicated that a large percentage of Minnesota group homes had microcomputers on-site. Although facilities had computers, very few were using them with regularity. The majority of homes did have plans for use for the coming three years. The follow-up study did demonstrate a significant increase in computer applications.
Initial group home computer applications were concentrated in accounting and business-related areas, with very few uses involving resident records, program planning or client instruction. A high level of computer training and experience was reported in facilities. Most resident related applications were generated by individuals on-site, not specifically identified as computer experts. Computer usage with the residents of the group homes in their school and day program was also very limited.
The follow-up study showed an increase in the u e of microcomputers in facilities, although not to the extent predicted by users in the first study. Significant increases were found in the use of computers in resident related tasks.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS:
The presence of microcomputers in a large number of Minnesota group homes indicated the intention of this group of service providers to automate their programs and to make use of the latest educational technology. A large number of the group homes had individual staff members who had completed computer course-work, workshops, or had direct experience. A large number of group homes had also committed monies to provide training experiences for their staff members.
In spite of both the presence of microcomputers on-site and the commitment to training, very few actual application programs involving mentally retarded individuals were in place at the time of the initial survey. It is of interest that providers of services listed resident related applications as last in their plans for automation.
The initial and planned use of microcomputers in Minnesota group homes reflected the state of availability of appropriate educationally related software. It is not surprising that accounting and payroll applications represented the greatest number of programs initially in operation, as sophisticated ready to run software was readily available in those areas. The lack of program related and educationally related software in place reflected the limited availability of those types of programs. This was especially true for programs for the more severely retarded population. A final barrier to the more rapid expansion of microcomputers in Minnesota group homes is the lack of a common effective coordinating and planning body, as is available for the public school system. Questions regarding the failure of coordination have been raised and a consortium model has been proposed by this author to help with the diffusion of these ideas.
Recommended Citation
Much, Michael J., "Microcomputer Applications in Minnesota Group Homes" (1987). Culminating Projects in Special Education. 186.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/sped_etds/186
