Symbiosis in the Classroom

Reviews the book, Computer-assisted Instruction: A Book of Readings edited by Richard C. Atkinson and H. A. Wilson (1969). These selections make apparent not only the scientific but also the technological contributions of computermediated instructional systems. For example, they insure the validity of research results by the fact that they function in vivo. The history of science indicates that quantum advances occur when new tools, both physical and conceptual, are developed. Reading this set of articles, quickly makes one aware that interactive, multiple access computing systems are tools which can make teaching and learning of school subjects scientifically interesting and manageable CAI systems could provide the means for a quantum advance. They permit the investigator to control the process of teaching and reliably observe the corresponding process of learning. These articles leave little doubt about the feasibility of achieving a deeper understanding of the teaching-learning process through wise use of interactive, multiple access, computer-based instructional systems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)