Effective Educational Courseware (The Microcomputer as a Learning Medium)

ABSTRACT The Paper reflects the experiences of a teacher involved in the use of Information Technology in the classroom since the mid-'70s. It is argued that much of the original promise has remained unfulfilled, mainly due to a failure to establish the true relevance of Information Technology to the Education process. A brief outline of the development of present-day courseware is given, and emphasis placed on the problems encountered in implementing it in schools. Have we succeeded only in “automating” some of the worst aspects of the “old” system? Have we really overcome the “Quiz Syndrome” (so much Software/Courseware is little more than question/answer routines). The vexing question is asked: What is Courseware, and what distinguishes it from Software? An attempt is made to define true Courseware, and the role of Courseware in the formation and presentation of knowledge to the learner. The most recent developments are discussed (Artificial Intelligence, Generic Software, Applications — finally, a possible approach is outlined based on the use of Information Handling packages designed specifically for Educational use, to be integrated into the teaching and learning processes, leading towards the use of the Computer as a true learning medium.