HC Deb 01 March 1963 vol 672 cc219-20W
Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to encourage experiments with teaching machines in Scottish schools.

Mr. Noble

My Department is keeping closely in touch with experiments with programmed learning in various parts of the country and has had discussions with education authorities and the teaching profession on the general possibilities. With the benefit of basic research done at Aberdeen University, steps are being taken through the College of Education and the education authority, in association with the university, to set up a development unit in Aberdeen to help in furthering experimental work in schools and in testing teaching programmes: I have made available to the university a grant of £3,000 spread over three years to finance its contribution to the work of this unit. Moray House and Aberdeen Colleges of Education are this summer offering teachers short vacation courses in this subject.