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From: bwk@mitre-bedford.ARPA (Barry W. Kort)
Newsgroups: comp.ai,comp.edu,comp.cog-eng
Subject: Re: Becoming CAI literate
Summary: Computers in Education
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Date: 8 Feb 88 16:05:43 GMT
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Reply-To: bwk@mbunix (Barry Kort)
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, Mass.
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Benjamin Armstrong asks about computers in education.

Sherry Turkle of MIT has written an excellent book on this subject
entitled The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit.  I found
her book to be well-researched and well-written, sensitive, insightful,
and thoroughly entertaining.  I highly recommend it.

She explores computer-mediated learning at all levels from pre-school
(Merlin and Speak 'n' Spell) through primary-level software (e.g. Logo)
to graduate level AI projects.  Her main thesis is that computers are
changing the way we think, and the way we think about the process of
thinking.

On Saturdays, I work at Computer Place at the Boston Museum of Science.
Computer Place is a resource center where youngsters can explore the
world of personal computers, with emphasis on educational software.
A common theme in educational software is to set up the learning
experience as a game, with amusing graphics and sound effects.  I
especially like the world geography lesson packaged as "Where in
the World is Carmen Sandiego".  

Computers are accurate, infinitely patient, and highly interactive.
In this regard, they surpass classroom teachers.  I foresee the day
when computers will mediate 80% of the learning, freeing educators
to focus on special problems and enrichment beyond standard curricula.

--Barry Kort