Programmed learning: Difference between revisions

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'''Programmed learning''' (or '''programmed instruction''') is a research-based system which helps learners work successfully. The method is guided by research done by a variety of [[Applied psychology|applied psychologists]] and educators.<ref name=Lums>Lumsdaine A.A. 1963. Instruments and media of instruction. In N.L. Gage (ed) ''Handbook of research on teaching''. Chicago: AERA and Rand McNally, 583–682.</ref>

The [[learning material]] is in a kind of [[textbook]] or [[teaching machine]] or [[computer]]. The [[media (communication)|medium]] presents the material in a logical and tested sequence. The text is in small steps or larger chunks. After each step, learners are given a question to test their comprehension. Then immediately the correct answer is shown. This means the learner at all stages makes responses, and is given immediate [[knowledge of results]].<ref>Margulies S. & Eigen L.D. 1961. ''Applied programmed instruction''. New York: Wiley.</ref><ref name=Sue/>

Anticipating programmed learning, [[Edward L. Thorndike]] wrote in 1912:

{{Pull quote|text=If, by a miracle of mechanical ingenuity, a book could be so arranged that only to him who had done what was directed on page one would page two become visible, and so on, much that now requires personal instruction could be managed by print.|author=Edward L. Thorndike|source=''Education: A First Book''<ref>Thorndike E.L. 1912. ''Education: a first book''. New York: Macmillan, 165.</ref><ref>[http://faculty.coe.uh.edu/smcneil/cuin6373/idhistory/pressey.html McNeil S. A hypertext history of instructional design]</ref>}}

Thorndike, however, did nothing with his idea. The first such system was devised by [[Sidney L. Pressey]] in 1926.<ref>Pressey S.L. 1926. A simple apparatus which gives tests and scores {{ndash}} and teaches. ''School & Society'' '''23''', 373{{ndash}}6.</ref><ref>Pressey, S.L. 1927. A machine for automatic teaching of drill material. ''School & Society'' '''25''', 544–552.</ref> "The first... [teaching machine] was developed by Sidney L. Pressey... While originally developed as a self-scoring machine... [it] demonstrated its ability to actually teach."<ref>Hilgard E.R. 1966. Learning & the technology of instruction. Chapter 16 in Hilgard E.R. & Bower G.H. 1966. ''Theories of learning''. 3rd ed, New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, p554{{ndash}}561 Programmed learning.</ref>

== Later developments ==