Worry, worry . . . about the right problem!!

Edouard Lagache (elagache who-is-at weber.ucsd.edu)
Fri, 18 Dec 98 09:37:58 -0800

Hello Everyone,

DS Hendler relays to us:
>USC is developing virtual robot teachers (Steve and Adele).
___snip!___
>The teaching robots, which the university says never get
>tired and never make mistakes,

Correction - they only break down (frequently,) and instead of making
random mistakes, they are programmed to make repeatedly the same mistakes
over and over . . . Isn't technology wonderful!! :-)

Ken Goodman adds:
>Fortunately all the past efforts at teaching by machines have failed and
>this one will too. One thing about the military- they've got all the money
>they want to play with this high tech stuff.

Alas so true, but there is an important lesson for all of us here. There
is *LOTS* of money for research on learning if you can convince the
military that it could help in their training efforts. Moreover,
properly thought out, such training could well be a great public service,
since the Military often ends up with the least educated of society - so
it is a rare opportunity to actually get funded to help the lower classes
better themselves. So far I haven't found the RFP that fit the bill, but
it is worth watching what the Military is trying to fund. Someday,
they'll learn that the social context of learning matters even in
Military training, and you know what, everyone will benefit.

Peace, Edouard
============================================
Edouard Lagache, PhD
Webmaster - Lecturer
Information Technologies
U.C. San Diego, Division of Extended Studies
Voice: (619) 622-5758, FAX: (619) 622-5742
email: elagache who-is-at weber.ucsd.edu
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