65. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teaching machines were ordered by his Department in 1966; and what are the prospects for their more substantial use in 1967.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsTeaching machines are mainly used by local education authorities, and over 100 authorities are now making use of programmed learning. The Department purchased ten teaching machines for its own use during 1966, and it is expected that in 1967 at least twelve more will be bought for the training of staff.
66. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, with a view to easing instruction in reading for backward children in primary schools, he will cause experiments to be carried out with simple types of teaching machines for this purpose.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsIt is for the local education authorities and the schools to decide whether they wish to experiment with new teaching aids, but I have noted with interest the reference in the Plowden Report to the successful use of reading machines in one area, and we are exploring the matter further.