Transcript Computers in Education Past, Present, and Future

Computers in Education
Past, Present, and Future
CECS 4100
Chapter 9
Purpose for the
Development of Computers
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To simplify the process of data and
information manipulation and storage
Evolution of Computers
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Abacus - One of the earliest devices to
simplify the manipulation of data (not
mechanical)
Pascaline -First mechanical calculating
device (17th century); a simple geardriven device for adding and subtracting
More reliable and practical devices
continued to be developed
Evolution of Computers
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Electronic calculators - early 1970s ;
replaced mechanical ones
Jacquard’s Loom - punch cards to
record pattern; first machine that could
be “programmed”
Charles Babbage
“Father of the Computer”
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Difference Engine - tabulating device
Analytical Engine - steam driven with
parts of modern computers (input, CPU,
memory and output)
Never completed due to the state of
technology at the time
Computer Data Processing
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1890 census - Herman Hollerith won a
contest when he created the fastest,
most efficient method for gathering
census information
Hollerith went on to market his
machines and eventually this firm
became IBM corporation
Electronic Machines
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The first machine in which computing,
control, and memory were all electrical
was developed by John V. Atanasoff of
Iowa State Univ. in the early 1940s.
The ABC computer (Atanasoff-Berry
Computer) is recognized as the first
electronic digital computer
ENIAC
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ENIAC - used by the military for creating
firing tables for new weapons
500 times faster than the best previous
Powered by vacuum tubes (1st
generation)
Filled a room 20 feet by 40 feet!
Transistors
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Transistors replaced vacuum tubes in
1959
Were replaced quickly by integrated
circuits (1964)
Computers became faster, smaller, and
more reliable
Apple Computer
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1977, Apple introduced the Apple II
microcomputer, a compact, selfcontained desktop computer
Early Projects
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Computer Curriculum Corporation
(CCC) - developed CAI
Plato - (Programmed Logic for
Automatic Teaching Operation)
SCHOLAR - first attempt at intelligent
tutoring
MYCIN - artificial intelligence
Computers in the
Classroom
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In 1981 there were, on average, 125
students per computer; in 1991, there
were 18.
Predicting the Future of
Computers
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“This telephone has too many
shortcomings to be seriously considered
as a means of communication. The
device is inherently of no value to us.”
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(Western Union, internal memo, 1876)
Predicting the Future of
Computers
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“I think there is a world market for
maybe five computers.”
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(Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM,
1943)
Predicting the Future of
Computers
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“There is no reason anyone would want
a computer in their home.”
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(Ken Olson, President, Chairman, and
founder of Digital Equipment
Corporation, 1977)
Predicting the Future of
Computers
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“640 K ought to be enough memory for
anybody.”
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(Bill Gates, Microsoft Corporation, 1981)
Evolution of Computers
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Interactive Video
Artificial Intelligence
Portable, laptop computers
Virtual reality