Re: Programmed instruction (fwd)

In a message dated 04/18/2002 4:17:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[email protected] forwards:

<< K. A. Stroud wrote these insightful words over 30 years ago.  Why
 are these behaviorally based methods of instruction not in greater
 use?  What is it going to take for these proven methods of instruction to
 be implemented on a large scale in educational establishments? >>

As before, Vargas & Vargas (1992) conducted a scholarly review of the
history of Programmed Instruction.  The same volume contains B.F.
Skinner's paper, "The Shame of American Education," and also
contains artices on Direct Instruction and on Precision Teaching,
among various education-related papers.  The whole volume is
a "must" for anyone interested in behavioral efforts in education.

Both the Vargas & Vargas article, and the Skinner article too,
for that matter, address those questions.

As a movement, Programmed Instruction collapsed.  Various
explanations, which are not mutually exclusive, have been
advanced to explain that collapse. In my summary of the Vargas
& Vargas article posted a few days ago, I covered the basic
points they made regarding that collapse.  Since then nothing
that gainsays their explanations has been presented.

 -- JE

REFERENCES:

Skinner, B.F. (1992). The shame of American education. In R.P.
West & L.A. Hamerlynck (eds.) Designs for Excellence in
Education: The Legacy of B.F. Skinner. Limited Edition. Longmont,
CO: Sopris West. pp. 15-30.  Also published in 1987 in Upon
Further Reflection.

Vargas, E.A., & Vargas, J.S. (1992). Programmed instruction and
teaching machines.  In R.P. West & L.A. Hamerlynck (eds.)
Designs for Excellence in Education: The Legacy of B.F. Skinner.
Limited Edition. Longmont, CO: Sopris West. pp. 33-69.