VALIDATION OF AN INVENTORY OF PRACTICES AND POINTS OF VIEW IN WRITING INSTRUCTION

Abstract

This study was designed to develop and validate an assessment instrument which would yield valid information on teachers' theoretical learning philosophy orientation and instructional behaviors in the teaching of writing. Data are analyzed to determine whether there is a relationship between stated learning theories and responses to statements of elements of a writing program. The subjects who participated in the study were graduate students at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, and The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, and experts in the field of writing or language arts who were certified according to stated criteria. Respondents completed the View Toward Learning sheet and the Shaeffer Inventory of Approaches to the Teaching of Writing. The information from each completed Inventory and Learning View sheet was recorded for analysis data to accept or reject ten hypotheses. The Inventory achieved content validity through individual item documentation in literature sources. The instructional approaches were interpreted according to three common learning theories: Behavioristic, Nativistic and Cognitive Field. The data analysis, which included t tests, Cronback Alphas, and item correlations and classification, established the instrument as valid in distinguishing a teacher's approach as Behavioristic or Nativistic and reliably aligned learning theory with classroom practices. It was not valid in differentiating the Nativist from the Cognivist. Recommendations include a revision of selected Nativistic and Cognitive Field items to achieve a clearer distinction between the two approaches, and the use of the instrument and cover sheet in a large scale study to further document validity and reliability. The Inventory may be utilized for teacher self-appraisal individually, in staff development projects, or in combination with classroom observation. Teacher education programs concerned with writing instruction could assess beliefs about the way children learn and related classroom practices.