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0f8a5423 KD |
1 | .\" @(#)p1 6.1 (Berkeley) %G% |
2 | .\" | |
3 | .NH | |
4 | Introduction. | |
5 | .PP | |
6 | .I Learn | |
7 | is a driver for CAI scripts. It is intended to permit the easy composition | |
8 | of lessons and lesson fragments to teach people computer skills. Since it | |
9 | is teaching the same system on which it is implemented, it makes direct use of | |
10 | .UX | |
11 | facilities to create a controlled | |
12 | .UX | |
13 | environment. The system includes two main parts: (1) a driver that interprets | |
14 | the lesson scripts; and (2) the lesson scripts themselves. At present there are | |
15 | seven scripts: | |
16 | .RS | |
17 | .IP \(em | |
18 | basic file handling commands | |
19 | .IP \(em | |
20 | the | |
21 | .UX | |
22 | text editors | |
23 | .I ed | |
24 | and | |
25 | .I vi | |
26 | .IP \(em | |
27 | advanced file handling | |
28 | .IP \(em | |
29 | the | |
30 | .I eqn | |
31 | language for typing mathematics | |
32 | .IP \(em | |
33 | the ``ms'' macro package for document formatting | |
34 | .IP \(em | |
35 | the C programming language | |
36 | .RE | |
37 | .PP | |
38 | The purported advantages of CAI scripts for training in computer skills include | |
39 | the following: | |
40 | .RS | |
41 | .IP (a) | |
42 | students are forced to perform the exercises that are in fact the basis of | |
43 | training in any case; | |
44 | .IP (b) | |
45 | students receive immediate feedback and confirmation of progress; | |
46 | .IP (c) | |
47 | students may progress at their own rate; | |
48 | .IP (d) | |
49 | no schedule requirements are imposed; students may study at any time convenient | |
50 | for them; | |
51 | .IP (e) | |
52 | the lessons may be improved individually and the improvements are immediately | |
53 | available to new users; | |
54 | .IP (f) | |
55 | since the student has access to a computer for the CAI script there is a place | |
56 | to do exercises; | |
57 | .IP (g) | |
58 | the use of high technology will improve student motivation and the interest of their | |
59 | management. | |
60 | .RE | |
61 | .PP | |
62 | Opposed to this, of course, is the absence of anyone to whom the student may | |
63 | direct questions. If CAI is used without a ``counselor'' or other assistance, | |
64 | it should properly be compared to a textbook, lecture series, or taped course, | |
65 | rather than to a seminar. CAI has been used for many years in a variety of | |
66 | educational areas. | |
67 | .[ | |
68 | bitzer plato 1970 | |
69 | .] | |
70 | .[ | |
71 | gray coala 1977 | |
72 | .] | |
73 | .[ | |
74 | suppes individualize 1967 | |
75 | .] | |
76 | The use of a computer to teach computer use itself, however, offers unique advantages. | |
77 | The skills developed to get through the script are exactly those needed to use | |
78 | the computer; there is no waste effort. | |
79 | .PP | |
80 | The scripts written so far are based on some familiar assumptions about education; | |
81 | these assumptions are outlined in the next section. The remaining sections | |
82 | describe the operation of the script driver and the particular scripts now available. | |
83 | The driver puts few restrictions on the script writer, but the current scripts are | |
84 | of a rather rigid and stereotyped form in accordance with the theory in the next | |
85 | section and practical limitations. |