Patent GB-983165-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to teaching machines
Inventor: SIM JOHN WYNESS
IPC: G09B3/08
Filed: 1962-04-05
Abstract: 983, 165. Teaching apparatus. LAMSON TECHNICAL PRODUCTS Ltd. April 4, 1963 [April 5, 1962; Aug. 17, 1962; Sept. 28, 1962; Oct. 15, 1962], Nos. 13109/62, 31645/62, 36852/62 and 38966/62. Heading G5G. A teaching apparatus comprises means for feeding a carrier i.e. a web of paper QP, Fig. 2, bearing questions and correct answers from a position in which the question only is visible to a checking position in which both question and answer are exposed to view and an interconnected second feed ing means for feeding a carrier i.e. a web of paper AP, from a position in which the student may enter an answer to the question to a checking position. The web QP passes under a window 4 at the upper part of which one question and its answer Q1, A1, Fig. 5, is exposed to view and a succeeding question Q2, is exposed but the answer A2 is obscured by a shield 7. The web AP passes under a window 5, the lower part of which is open so an answer may be entered by a student and the upper part is covered by a transparent shield 6. In operation, the student after entering an answer to the question e.g. Q2 shown at the lower part of window 4, momentarily moves a three-position operating switch 8 (Figs. 1, 3, not shown) to a forward position whereupon both webs are fed forward one step so that the question and its answer Q2, A2, are exposed at the upper part of the window 4 and the student's answer is under the transparent shield 6, so that the answer can be checked. A student may refer back to a previous question by moving the switch 8 to a reverse position whereby the webs are caused to be fed rearwardly one step for each operation of the switch. The webs are driven by pin-type tractors 22, 32, engaging perforations in the edges of the web and geared to a reversible electric motor 12. On the undersurface of the web QP and arranged in longitudinal zones are metal foil strips, F<SP>1</SP>, F<SP>2</SP>, F3 &c., which as the web moves engage two or more of a series of brushes B1 . . . B45, Fig. 4a, having connections C1 . . . C45 to other parts of the apparatus as referred to later. When the web QP is moving forwardly, the strips F1 coact with the brushes B34, B35, Fig. 5, in a circuit containing the switch 8 and the motor terminals, to control the forward feed as already described. Similarly, the strips F2 control the rearward feed. A ratchet device may be provided in the drive to the web AP so that the web does not move rearwardly when the web QP does. In addition to a "linear" programme arrangement as set out above, a "branch" programme may be provided i.e. the web QP has one or more transverse spaces, ahead of a question-and-answer space, containing information relating to the question. If a correct answer is entered, the operating switch 8 is moved to forward position and the strips F1 control the feed so that the next question appears at the window 4. Should, however, the answer be incorrect the switch 8 is moved one or more times to the reverse position, whereupon the webs are fed rearwardly under control of strips F2 to bring the informationcontaining parts to the window 4. At any of these positions the switch 8 may be moved to forward position in which case the strips F1 cause the web QP to be moved to show the last question. A green lamp indicates when the switch 8 can be operated and a red light indicates when the motor is running. The foil strips F3 co-operate with brushes B4, B5 to control a slide changer of a projector, and other strips may co-operate with other brushes to control a cathode-ray oscillograph and a tape recorder which show or give audible information relating to the questions. Instead of the additional information being in separate transverse spaces, it may be in a space alongside a question-and-answer and normally covered by a slide 96, Fig. 13 (not shown) but rendered visible by moving the slide laterally. Such movement of the slide may actuate a switch to tell a teacher that the slide has been operated. A switch 11, Fig. 2, may be provided for calling a teacher. Further, the auxiliary apparatus may be controlled by another web moved in synchronism with the web QP. The matter on the web QP may be projected on to a screen. Instead of foil strips F1 &c., holes may be provided in the web QP to coact with the brushes. However, other sensing devices may be employed such as magnetic, or light sensing devices. Specification 983,166 is referred to.