Applying Multimedia Computer‐Assisted Instruction to Enhance Physical Education Students’ Knowledge of Basketball Rules

Abstract

Research has shown that computer‐assisted instruction appears to be a highly promising mode for teaching cognitive concepts of physical education and sports. The purpose of this study wasto examine the effect of multimedia computer‐assisted (MCAI), traditional (Tl), and combined (traditional and multimedia computer‐assisted) (Cl) instruction on learning rule violations in basketball. Seventy female first year university students were randomly divided into three groups: MCAI, Tl and Cl’ and each followed five‐hours of instruction. A multimedia software program was created for the purpose of this study. All students completed a pre‐test a post‐test and a retention test For the assessment of knowledge of rule violations, students completed a 25‐item questionnaire (written test), and evaluated 10 basketball phases presented through video (video test). The scores from each of the tests were added to yield a total score. With regard to the written test, results indicated that students in all groups improved their knowledge of rule violations but only those in the Tl and Cl groups retained this knowledge since their scores in the retentiontest were greater than those in the pre‐test Also, the Tl group showed significantly greater retention than the MCAI group both in the written test and in total performance. On the contrary, the type of instruction did not affect performance in the videotest and students’ improvement was temporary. It appears that physical education students can learn basketball rules through Tl and Cl. However, for real‐game situations which require recall of information, more research is needed to identify which method results in better retention of information.