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 large-scale education programme in the UK to explore the use of computers for teaching and learning. First proposed in 1969 to the [[Department of Education and Science]] by the National Council for Educational Technology in(soon 1969to be renamed The [[Council for Educational Technology]]) it ran from 1973 to 1977 spending £2.5M to support some 35 projects covering a range of subjects. About half the money was spent on projects in universities and the rest on projects in schools, colleges, 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> [[Richard Hooper (civil servant)|Richard Hooper]] was appointed its Director and operated with a small central team and the programme was administered by the Council for Educational Technology.

==Origins==

During the 1960s various projects in the USA and the UK using [[Mainframe computer|mainframe]] and [[mini-computers]] 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 (renamed Council for Educational Technology (CET)) 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>http://www.edtechhistory.org.uk/history/the_1960s/orig_NCET.html</ref> After much discussion amongst the interested departments and an intervening general election, the Department for Education and Science (DES) announced in 1972 the approval by the Secretary of State ([[Mrs Thatcher]]) to 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 (civil servant)|Richard Hooper]], BBC Senior Producer in the Faculty of Educational Studies at the Open University was selected.

==Strategy==

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==Governance==

NCETCET was asked to provide administrative services to the new programme, and the programme's central staff were NCETCET employees but executive control was with a committee made up of civil servants from seven government departments plus a group of co-opted advisers. This Programme Committee was chaired by the DES. The Programme Committee was more than just a rubber stamping committee, it held the final say on proposals from the Programme Director and 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==