National Development Programme in Computer Aided Learning: Difference between revisions

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The National Development Programme in Computer Aided Learning (NDPCAL) was the earliest government funded education programme in the UK that explored the use of computers for teaching. It was first proposed to the Department of Education and Science by the National Council for Educational Technology in 1969, Richard Hooper was appointed its Director and operated with a small central team administered by the Council for Educational Technology . It ran from 1973 to 1977, spending £2.5M to support some 35 projects covering a range of subjects in schools, colleges, universities, industrial and military training.<ref>Hooper R., 1975, Two years On, National Development Programme in Computer Aided Learning, Report of the Director, London: CET </ref>.

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The '''National Development Programme in Computer Aided Learning''' (NDPCAL) was the earliest government funded education programme in the UK that explored the use of computers for teaching. It was first proposed to the Department of Education and Science by the National Council for Educational Technology in 1969, Richard Hooper was appointed its Director and operated with a small central team administered by the Council for Educational Technology . It ran from 1973 to 1977, spending £2.5M to support some 35 projects covering a range of subjects in schools, colleges, universities, industrial and military training.<ref>Hooper R., 1975, Two years On, National Development Programme in Computer Aided Learning, Report of the Director, London: CET </ref>.

==Origins==

During the 1960s and early 1970s various innovative projects in the USA and the UK using mainframe and mini-computers began to develop the field of 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 provided advice to government in 1969 for a national development programme<ref>http://www.edtechhistory.org.uk/history/the_1960s/orig_NCET.html</ref>

It was four years later that the Department for Education and Science (DES) following much discussion amongst the interested departments and an intervening general election, announced the approval by the Secretary of State (Mrs Thatcher) to a 'national development programme in computer assisted learning' in a DES press release dated 23 May 1972.

Following the announcement of the Programme the post of Director was advertised.and [[Richard Hooper (civil servant)|Richard Hooper]], BBC Senior Producer in the Faculty of Educational Studies at the Open University was selected.

==Approach and Governance==

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From January 1973 to early summer 1973, there was a phase of exploration and consultation and from the summer of 1973 to the end of the year, there was the setting up of the Programme's management structure and of the first generation of major projects, notably in the university sector. Richard Hooper was supported by two assistant directors, Mrs Gillian Frewin (from ICL) and Roger Miles (from the Army School of Instructional Technology). They were supported by two other executive posts and three secretaries.

Hooper <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> describes their approach as active and interventionist, working alongside potential projects in their early stages to help develop their design and approach. They also focussed on good project management requiring four monthly accounting periods and carefully controlling expenditure. In this work Hooper and his team was steered by the Programme Committee and all proposals for projects and policy came to it for approval.

The programme formulated two main aims over its lifetime (Hooper, 1975, p17):

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==Some Specific Projects==

===Computer Based Learning Project, Leeds University===

Director: J.R. Hartley

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Director: Dr. I. McKenzie, University College London

Funded for 2 years from 1.1.74 at a cost of £67,861.

The main aim of this study was to investigate and develop methods and materials for using computers in undergraduate science education, in computation, simulation and to enrich teaching and learning. Physicists, biologists, chemists and educational technologists from 12 academic departments at University College, Chelsea College and Surrey University.

===Hertfordshire Computer Managed Mathematics===

Funded for 2 years from 1.10.73 at a cost of £50,368.

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# The evaluation calculated 'national or total cost per student terminal hour' in the range £4-£15

# By comparison the cost of conventional means is in the range £0.60-£2.50 per student hour

# Realistic targets for the use of terminals are in range 500-750500–750 hours per year

# The time taken to develop science packages varies between 200 and 400 hours

# Program exchange schemes can achieve significant economies

# Inter-institutional development has been a success leading to substantial savings

# Large scale applications of CAL require full -time staff and regular computer time.

== NDPCAL - The National Development Programme in Computer Aided Learning ==

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==References==

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