Patent GB-1283312-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for signalling students' responses to questions
IPC: G06F3/046
Filed: 1969-07-11
Abstract: 1283312 Teaching machines ASSOCIATED RESEARCH LABORATORIES (PTY) Ltd 11 July 1969 [19 July 1968 22 Nov 1968] 35063/69 Heading G5G In a teaching apparatus in use of which a student constructs answers to questions (as opposed to merely choosing between alternative answers presented to him), a constructed answer is spelt out character by character and each character is compared with the corresponding character of a pre-conceived "correct" answer stored in the apparatus, the comparison taking place in immediate response to the students registration of each character. A signal is given as soon as the student's incomplete answer differs from the preconceived one, and a different signal is given if and when the student correctly completes the required answer. As shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus includes a recording mechanism such as a magnetic drum 21 on which tracks T1 and T2 respectively store the preconceived answers and the student's constructed answers. The sequence of operation of the apparatus is preferably determined by signals controlled by information recorded on a third track T3 on the same drum. To spell out an answer the student touches one of the areas 43, Fig. 3 (each of which corresponds, as shown, to a letter, number or other symbol) on a panel 40 with the tip 52 of an implement 51, Fig. 5. This implement has a signal lamp 53 built into it. The panel 40, implement 51 and lamp 53 of Figs. 3 and 4 correspond respectively to the elements 15, 16 and 14 of Fig. 1. Any signal given to a student may be repeated to a teacher at another panel (not shown) which has a corresponding indicator lamp (or, if a plurality of students are using the apparatus, lamps) 20. When a student selects a character on his panel, his selection is signalled to a comparator unit 28 and there associated with the preconceived correct response derived from the drum track T1. An output is thereby given to a logic unit 18 which both conveys to the student's indicator a right or wrong signal by way of line 19 and also conveys the selected character, whether right or wrong, for recording on drum track T2 by means of a read-write-erase (RWE) head 23. The student's lamp 14 (Fig. 1) or 53 (Fig. 4) may be normally "on" and caused to go off whenever he selects a wrong character. When a correct answer has been fully constructed it may flicker. The above sequence of operations is carried out in a "response" mode of using the apparatus, in which the implement 51 is used by "pecking" the selected areas 43 on the panel 40, i.e. positively depressing the tip member 52 which retracts against a spring 55. The apparatus may however also be used in a "query" mode in which the tip is merely scanned-i.e. passed without depressing the tip-over the panel 40 until, when it rests over the first character of the correct answer, a signal is given. In this way the student may use the machine to be given a correct answer or other information. In addition to writing-in student's answers, the RWE head 23 may be used to read-out or delete previously recorded answers. The apparatus may be a multi-channel one by which a plurality of students may be taught in unison or independently, e.g. on a time-sharing basis. It may employ linear or branch teaching programs. The Specification describes suitable programming techniques and logic circuit with reference to Figs. 2 and 5 to 8 (not shown).