An analysis of the use of videodisc technology in graduate library and instructional media studies in North America

The problem was to analyze and evaluate the extent to which videodisc technology was being taught to students as an instructional delivery and/or information storage and retrieval device in graduate library and instructional media studies classes. Subjects were students of library science and media education departments in selected colleges and universities in North America. A 21-question survey was developed to solicit data.;72% of the combined departments own or have access to videodisc players. Of the departments that offer videodisc instruction, half began instructing students in videodisc technology since 1985. At the graduate level, students received instruction primarily through lecture, with NO hardware demonstration, and with no required textbook. Optical disk impact in higher education, on library archives, information storage and retrieval, may be great by year 2000. Slides and magnetic discs, but especially microforms and magnetic tapes, may be replaced by videodisc or optical disk technology by year 2000. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).