UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, September 2, 1994
6A
Robo-teacher in future?
Survey shows books preferred tool of instructors
By Ashley Miller Kansan staff writer
Although the impact of computers on college campuses is growing, using computers to teach a class hasn't caught on yet.
A preliminary study released last month by the Association of American Publishers indicated that students might use computers to do homework, but they resist the idea of working in class on a computer.
The study found that only 19 percent of all students preferred reading their text on a computer screen rather than in a textbook. More than half of the students surveyed said they definitely would not want to use the computer as the primary teaching tool.
Eighty-eight percent of the faculty surveyed for the study agreed that textbooks were an effective way to teach a class.
The study found that faculty also did not prefer using a computer over a textbook.
The association is a trade group whose members publish books, classroom materials and software. The final results from the study will be released later this year.
assisted instruction in the department of English, said that using computers to teach a class without the aid of a textbook probably was not going to happen in the near future.
Jack Healy, director of computer-
"It depends on the availability of computers" he said.
Healy said the department had one English 101 class being taught with the help of computers right now. Students in the class type their papers into the computer, and it provides them with an analysis of their writing style. The computer program, designed by American Telephone & Telegraph Co., then suggests revisions that the students can consider with the teacher in a conference.
Healy said there wasn't enough funding to increase the number of computer-assisted classes offered at
KU right now.
"We are much further behind in using computers for writing than other colleges and universities," Healy said.
Healy said computer-assisted teaching was not a replacement for teachers.
"It's part of the teaching curriculum" he said. "It's a tool."
"I think it would be something different," she said.
Jeni Epstein, Denver freshman, said she would be interested in a computer-assisted class.
courtney Ryan, Kansas City, Mo,
freshman, said she thought computer-
assisted classes in subjects such as
foreign languages would not be benefic-
icial because the students needed
more personal interaction with
teachers in order to learn the material.
Computer-assisted classes would be feasible in some subjects, such as history or philosophy but not in some of professional fields such as journalism, said Bruce Swain, professor of journalism.
For example, if a history student needed to learn dates and facts, a computer could be used to teach the material. However, if a journalism student needed to learn what information was the most important for a news story, a computer would not get the job done, Swain said.
"There are too many other things you have to do in teaching journalism that involve the human element," he said.
BEERS: Truck found in town
Continued from Page 1A.
ney has taken them from northwest Arkansas, east to near Tulsa, Okla., north to Lawrence and, at least for Scanlon, south again to near Fredonia.
"Scanlon was arrested this morning for breaking into a farmhouse in Wilson County," said U.S. Marshall Chief Deputy Pete Nagumy. "We are concentrating our efforts to locate Beers in the Lawrence area."
The stolen truck Scanlon was driving broke down near Fredonia early yesterday morning, Nagurny said. After the truck broke down, Scanlon
walked to a farmhouse. When no one answered the door, Scanlon broke into the house, Nagurry said. But the couple, who was at home, surprised Scanlon.
Scanlon was arrested without incident.
"He told him he needed help with his truck," Nagumny said. "So when the farmer went to help him, his wife called the sheriff."
wired because no one entered the shop or office, McCullough. She said the truck was backed out of the lot through an 8-foot tall chainlink fence.
The truck Scanlon was driving had Douglas County license plates and Quality Electric markings on the side and tailgate, said Pat McCulough, Quality Electric office manager. The truck probably was hot-
Beers has a history of criminal convictions that includes the robbery of a Lawrence grocery store and an escape from a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy in October.
Last week, Beers was sentenced to 14 years in a federal penitentiary for kidnapping and driving a stolen car across state lines last September.
A $2,500 reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.
Get a fresh new look at Cost Cutters.
Hours: Get a fresh new look at Cost Cutters. 2329 Iowa
Mon-Thurs:
COST CUTTERS*
located in
9-8pm
FAMILY HAIR CARE
Fri:
We're your style.
Dickinson Plaza
9-7pm Sat: 9-6pm
$8.95
Shampoo and Cut
regularly $10.95
expires:9/14/94
COST CUTTERS'
FAMILY HAIR CARE
We're your style:
$5.00 off
Any Hair Color
(we carry Redken shades)
COST CUTTERS
expires:9/14/94
FAMILY HAIR CARE
We're your style:
STREETSIDE RECORDS
1403 W. 23RD ST.
842-7173
Stay Streetsmart, Shop Streetside!