Using Minicomputers for Courseware Delivery

Much has been written about the development of computer-based instruction in institutions where this mode of teaching is well established. The signs of a nutritive environment include administrative backing, processing on large machines, availability of special-purpose CAI languages, high-level programming support for language refinement, staff deployment to encourage faculty authoring, and evidence of extramural financial support. The present communication does not emanate from such an environment. At the Medical Center of The George Washington University, CAI is a relative newcomer and has only been developed on a small scale. Accordingly, our experience may be of particular interest to those institutions that are contemplating the addition of this capability to their educational programs and are looking for an economical approach to such implementation.