The computer industry made big investments in the computer-based education network in the 1960’s, only to realize that the technology was much to complex for the schools and there was no source of investment in educational software and teacher training. Those early efforts were abandoned, and only to be revived in the 1980s; they are now beginning to deliver real benefits to schools. But they will still be a disappointment without huge investments in educational software, curriculum development and teacher training and assistance.
Predictor: Branscomb, Lewis M.
Prediction, in context:The 1995 book “Public Access to the Internet,” edited by Brian Kahin and James Keller carries the chapter, “Balancing the Commercial and Public-Interest Visions of the NII” by Lewis Branscomb, director of the Program on Science, Technology and Public Policy at Harvard University and principal investigator of the Information Infrastructure Project. Branscomb writes:”The computer industry made big investments in the computer-based education network in the 1960s, only to realize that the technology was much to complex for the schools and there was no source of investment in educational software and teacher training. Those early efforts were abandoned, and only to be revived in the 1980s; they are now beginning to deliver real benefits to schools. But they will still be a disappointment without huge investments in educational software, curriculum development and teacher training and assistance.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information
Subtopic: E-learning
Name of publication: Public Access to the Internet (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: Balancing the Commercial and Public-Interest Visions of the NII
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 28
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne