National Development Programme in Computer Aided Learning: Difference between revisions

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==Origins==

During the 1960s various projects in the US and the UK using [[Mainframe computer|mainframe]] and [[mini-computersminicomputer]]s began to develop the field of [[E-Learning|Computer Aided Learning]] and there was much debate about its value and effectiveness.<ref>Annett J. and Duke J., 1970, Proceedings of a Seminar on Computer Based Learning Systems, London:NCET</ref> The National Council for Educational Technology produced advice to government in 1969 to run a national development programme to explore the value of these approaches.<ref>NCET, 1969, Computer Based Learning , A Programme for Action, London: National Council for Educational Technology</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.edtechhistory.org.uk/history/the_1960s/orig_NCET.html |title=1967 - The first NCET|date=October 9, 2014|first=Peter|last=Avis|access-date=2014-10-25 |archive-date=2016-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215100522/http://www.edtechhistory.org.uk/history/the_1960s/orig_NCET.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

The [[Department for Education and Skills (United Kingdom)|Department for Education and Science]] (DES) announced in 1972 the approval by then Secretary of State [[Margaret Thatcher]] of a "national development programme in computer assisted learning."<ref>Sheridan, G. (1972) 'Go ask the computer' The Guardian Jun 20, 1972</ref> Following the announcement of the programme, the post of director was advertised and Richard Hooper was selected.

==Strategy==

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==Governance==

CET was asked to provide administrative services to the new programme, and the programme's central staff were CET employees but executive control was with a committee made up of [[Civil service|civil servants]] from seven government departments plus a group of co-opted advisers. This programme committee was chaired by the DES and held the final say on proposals from the programme director. It also involved itself in [[project evaluation]], setting up sub-committees of three or so of its members to look in detail at a particular proposal or project. Although each of the thirty projects had its own [[steering committee]] national linkage was maintained through a member of the national programme committee sitting on each project steering committee.<ref>Hooper R., 1977, An Introduction to the National Development Programme in Computer Assisted Learning, British Journal of Educational Technology, 8-3 p165-175</ref>

==Setting Up==

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About half the project funds were spent on projects in universities and [[Polytechnic college|polytechnics]], about one-sixth of the project funds was spent on schools based projects and the rest on military and industrial training. Some of the projects are listed below.<ref>For a full list and their details see http://www.edtechhistory.org.uk/history/the_1970s/ndpcal_projects.html</ref>

* Computer Based Learning Project on [[Applied Statistics]] for Social Science, [[University of Leeds|Leeds University]] - Director: J.R. Hartley

* Computer Assisted Learning in Engineering Sciences Director: Dr. P.R. Smith Faculty of Engineering, Computer Assisted Teaching Unit, [[Queen Mary College]].

* Computer Assisted Learning in Chemistry Director: Dr. P.B. Ayscough Dept. of [[Physical chemistry|Physical Chemistry]], The University of Leeds.

* Computers in the Undergraduate Science Curriculum Director: Dr. I. McKenzie, [[University College London]]

* Hertfordshire Computer Managed Mathematics in Schools Director: Dr. W.Tagg, Advisory Unit for Computer Based Education

==Evaluation==

NDPCAL set up two independent evaluations: an [[educational evaluation]] carried out by the [[University of East Anglia]] and a financial evaluation by [[KPMG|Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Co]].

The Educational Evaluation, UNCAL (Understanding Computer Assisted Learning) was carried out over a period of three years evaluation project and reported findings about CAL in general. Its findings echo many of the later findings of the effectiveness of [[e-learning]] :<ref>MacDonald B., 1977, The Educational Evaluation of NDPCAL, British Journal of Educational Technology, 8-3 p176-189.</ref>