HC Deb 20 February 1964 vol 689 cc1367-8
1. Miss Quennell

asked the Minister of Education what research and experimental work has been undertaken by his Department on teaching machines.

The Minister of Education (Sir Edward Boyle)

I am currently supporting from my research fund investigations into various aspects of programmed learning at the Universities of Birmingham, Leicester and Sheffield. The investigations cover variations in methods of programming; the effectiveness of programmed methods for younger children; the use of automated techniques in teaching mathematics in the secondary school; and the evaluation of programmes in physical chemistry at G.C.E. A level.

Miss Quennell

Could my right hon. Friend indicate the volume of work that is being supported from these funds?

Sir E. Boyle

The total contribution from the research funds for these projects will be just over £25,000. I will gladly send my hon. Friend further details.

Mr. Willey

Does the Minister recognise that this is inadequate on the part of his Department and that a good deal of work is being done of great significance to education? Would the right hon. Gentleman consider not only financing the experiments but conveying and demonstrating the results to the teaching profession?

Sir E. Boyle

There is a later Question on the Notice Paper on conveying the results, which is certainly most important, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that as we can get them we will make every effort, or my successors will, to see that these results are conveyed.