27 Feb 95
Andrew Fluck

To CAI or not to CAI, that is the question.

I think we all disagree about what we mean by that acronym.

The use of computers in schools is hardly under debate. The statistics are showing that there are now less than ten students per computer in most western secondary schools. The rate of change of this statistic is still increasing. We can guess that it will asymptotically reach one per one by about the year 2001.

What are students doing with the gear--and what are teachers asking them to do with it? I suggest we might expect a range of activities to be normal and healthy within our milieu. If they are ONLY used for Desk-top publishing--this is blinkered. If ONLY for programmed learning or assessment--this would also be blinkered. If they are used for a spectrum of skill and knowledge transfer, creative, and communicative activities, THEN we might say they are an educational asset.

Andrew E. Fluck
AST1 & Network Manager
Claremont College
P.O. Box 168
Claremont
Tasmania 7011, Australia

Phone: (int + 61) (0)02 496868
Fax: (int + 61) (0)02 491984
E-mail: flucan@asgard.clare.tased.edu.au