Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!uwm.edu!lll-winken!taco!hobbes.catt.ncsu.edu!kdarling From: kdarling@hobbes.catt.ncsu.edu (Kevin Darling) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy Subject: Re: What the heck IS "Interactive TV"? Message-ID: <1991Apr17.135214.12413@ncsu.edu> Date: 17 Apr 91 13:52:14 GMT References: <1991Apr11.143222.13728@mintaka.lcs.mit.edu> <511c11w164w@ozonebbs.UUCP> <1991Apr15.140416.15388@ncsu.edu> Sender: news@ncsu.edu (USENET News System) Distribution: usa Organization: North Carolina State University Lines: 35 cimshop!davidm@uunet.UU.NET (David S. Masterson) writes: > Wouldn't CDTV be even more attractive to the education market if it could > learn from its environment and adjust itself to the quirks of its user over > time? (As a for instance, as a history quiz system that keeps track of how > the particular user does over time.) This, though, requires some amount of > floppy/hard disk space for memory. I know CDTV allows such things to be > hooked in, but are software developers going to make use of them to provide > a more personalized environment for the customer? Sounds like a good idea; we'll have to wait and see if someone does this. And as you suggested, a floppy disk is a good idea for storing the info, as a personal RAM card for each student probably would be cost prohibitive. I'd probably also suggest a hardwired joystick, to save on batteries and to keep remotes from "disappearing" ;-). No, actually, a keyboard would be even better, as then more than just multiple choice tests could be given. I like your thinking. best regards - kev PS: I do mildly cringe at the idea of tests being given from an I-TV device. Or even the usual coursework. First off, that's boring stuff . Secondly, advanced educators got burned on the concept of using interactive videodiscs in years past, and reports say many are still wary. However, as an _adjunct_ to books, films, and so on, I can see I-TV as being a very good way to coax students into delving more deeply into say, history and geography. My advice to CBM? ... Give Nolan the heave-ho and use his salary to _buy_ favor with a California or Texas schoolbook firm (if some other CD company hasn't already). _Give_ them as many development systems as they wish, and enormous support. NO amount is too much, because the _return_ on having discs included with almost every textbook (plus the needed players in schools and often at home) would be HUGE. Alas, I fear tho that this relies too much on future returns, and US businesses would rather pay their execs well and quickly instead.