IBM 1500
Encyclopedia
The IBM 1500 instructional system was introduced by IBM
on March 31, 1966 and its primary purpose was to implement Computer Assisted Instruction
(CAI). Based around either an IBM 1130
or an IBM 1800
computer, it supported up to 32 student work stations each with a variety of audiovisual capabilities.
Seeded by a research grant in 1964 from the U.S. Department of Education to the Institute for Mathematical Studies in the Social Sciences at Stanford University, the IBM 1500 CAI system was initially prototyped at the Brentwood Elementary School (Ravenswood City School District) in East Palo Alto, California
by Dr. Patrick Suppes
of Stanford University. The students first used the system in 1966.
The first production IBM 1500 system was shipped to Stanford University
in August 1967.
Preliminary versions of course materials that educators could use with the IBM 1500 were developed by Science Research Associates, Inc.
, an IBM subsidiary.
Most educational programming on the IBM 1500 system was done in the specialized computer programming language called Coursewriter.
The IBM 1500 system and its learning environment was a modern step in the history of virtual learning environments
.
evaluated CAI's success in teaching basic electronics by using material presented in the tutorial mode on the IBM 1500 System, utilizing the IBM Coursewriter language, an IBM 1510 Display Console, and an IBM 1512 Image Projector.
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
on March 31, 1966 and its primary purpose was to implement Computer Assisted Instruction
E-learning
E-learning comprises all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. The information and communication systems, whether networked learning or not, serve as specific media to implement the learning process...
(CAI). Based around either an IBM 1130
IBM 1130
The IBM 1130 Computing System was introduced in 1965. It was IBM's least-expensive computer to date, and was aimed at price-sensitive, computing-intensive technical markets like education and engineering. It succeeded the IBM 1620 in that market segment. The IBM 1800 was a process control variant...
or an IBM 1800
IBM 1800
The IBM 1800 Data Acquisition and Control System was a process control variant of the IBM 1130 with two extra instructions , extra I/O capabilities, 'selector channel like' cycle-stealing capability and three hardware index registers....
computer, it supported up to 32 student work stations each with a variety of audiovisual capabilities.
Seeded by a research grant in 1964 from the U.S. Department of Education to the Institute for Mathematical Studies in the Social Sciences at Stanford University, the IBM 1500 CAI system was initially prototyped at the Brentwood Elementary School (Ravenswood City School District) in East Palo Alto, California
East Palo Alto, California
East Palo Alto is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States.-Overview:As of the 2010 census, the population of East Palo Alto was 28,155. It is situated on the San Francisco Peninsula, roughly halfway between the cities of San Francisco and San Jose...
by Dr. Patrick Suppes
Patrick Suppes
Patrick Colonel Suppes is an American philosopher who has made significant contributions to philosophy of science, the theory of measurement, the foundations of quantum mechanics, decision theory, psychology, and educational technology...
of Stanford University. The students first used the system in 1966.
The first production IBM 1500 system was shipped to Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in August 1967.
Preliminary versions of course materials that educators could use with the IBM 1500 were developed by Science Research Associates, Inc.
Science Research Associates
Founded in 1938, SRA or Science Research Associates Inc. is a Chicago-based publisher of educational materials and schoolroom reading comprehension products. Early on, it had a trade and occupational focus...
, an IBM subsidiary.
Most educational programming on the IBM 1500 system was done in the specialized computer programming language called Coursewriter.
The IBM 1500 system and its learning environment was a modern step in the history of virtual learning environments
History of virtual learning environments
A virtual learning environment is a system that creates an environment designed to facilitate teachers in the management of educational courses for their students, especially a system using computer hardware and software, which involves distance learning...
.
Overview
Buck and Hunka wrote in their 1995 restrospective and historical paper that:
"The IBM 1500 Instructional System was the only commercial system produced by a single manufacturer that had an integrated student terminal configuration providing a keyboard and light pen response mode, CRT-based graphics, audio, and static film projection. Experimental instructional systems had been developed by IBM prior to a prototype version of the 1500 Instructional System, which was tested at Stanford University. A production version of the 1500 System with changes in the CPU and the audio system and having the capability to run a maximum of 32 student stations was installed in over 30 sites beginning in the late 1960s. IBM's commitment to the development of this system was extensive but short-lived, as most sites were unable to maintain funding support for the system. In retrospect, the IBM 1500 System had capabilities yet to be supported on the microcomputer systems of the 1990s."
Selected educational applications
The Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) Division of the U.S. Army Signal Center and School (USASCS) at Fort Monmouth, New JerseyFort Monmouth
Fort Monmouth was an installation of the Department of the Army in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The post is surrounded by the communities of Eatontown, Tinton Falls and Oceanport, New Jersey, and is located about 5 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. The post covers nearly of land, from the Shrewsbury...
evaluated CAI's success in teaching basic electronics by using material presented in the tutorial mode on the IBM 1500 System, utilizing the IBM Coursewriter language, an IBM 1510 Display Console, and an IBM 1512 Image Projector.
Further reading
- "Mobilizing Minds: Teaching Math and Science in the Age of Sputnik: Mathematics Lesson on the IBM 1500 Instructional System, 1966", Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
. - Dick, Walter; Gallagher, Tom, "Systems Concepts and Computer-Managed Instruction: An Implementation and Validation Study", in Introduction to the Systems Approach, Education Technology Reviews Series, no.3, January 1973, pp.19-25. Cf. especially p.21 on the IBM 1500 and Coursewriter.
- Hunka, S., http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WGS-4T6NPWH-6&_user=10&_coverDate=07%2F31%2F1973&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1387094079&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=26a968455c7ae58c94f4dd3e2dd8caef"The Computer-Aided Instruction Activities of the Division of Educational Research Services at the University of Alberta"], International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, Volume 5, Issue 3, July 1973, Pages 329-336
- Lipsitz, Lawrence, (Editor); Reisner, Trudi, The Computer and Education, Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Educational Technology Publications, January 1973. Articles selected from Educational Technology magazine. Cf. pp. 50, 80, 144 & various.
- Terlet, R.H., "The CRT display subsystem of the IBM 1500 instructional system", AFIPS Joint Computer Conferences, Proceedings of the November 14-16, 1967, Fall Joint Computer Conference, Anaheim, California. Session on Display systems and equipment, pp. 169-176.
- "CAI and the IBM 1500 System at DERS (Division of Educational Research Services)", University of AlbertaUniversity of AlbertaThe University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, Canada.