HC Deb 19 December 1963 vol 686 c1423
21. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Education what progress is being made in the use of teaching machines; how many schools and colleges have installed them; and what encouragement he is giving to local authorities to acquire and use them.

Sir E. Boyle

In October 1962 I carried out a survey of developments in programmed learning and teaching machines. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of my circular letter summarising the results and giving my own views. A further survey is now in progress, and results so far point out a substantial increase in activity.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

While thanking my right hon. Friend for sending me a copy of the circular, may I ask whether he agrees that these teaching machines can be a great addition to the powers of teachers and really should be greeted with enthusiasm? Would he also consider whether they should not be placed in teacher training colleges?

Sir E. Boyle

My hon. Friend may be interested to know that last year's survey showed that 14 local education authorities, five area training organisations and three colleges of advanced technology were carrying out or proposing to carry out experiments. I have accepted for support from my research funds two further research projects, at Sheffield and Birmingham. Progress here is going as fast as one could reasonably expect.