The Learning Machine

6. Intelligent Pets

BBC1 Series 1 Episode 6
First broadcast 30th May 1985, 23:15
Duration: 24:21
A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. The last of six programmes 6: Intelligent Pets. Tim O'Shea looks at some possible futures for computers in education with Professor Aaron Sloman and Dr Benedict du Boulay Alison Kidd and Alex d'Agapeyeff. Sketches written by PAUL HINES Producer IAN WOOLF Director ROBERT ALBURY

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Clips from this programme

Opening Titles

Duration: 00:30

The intelligent home: Sir Clive Sinclair (The Levin Interviews-1984) predicts the Intelligent computer in the home: An advisor and mentor with personality

Duration: 01:52

Tim O'Shea - The intelligent appliance: The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education (Aaron Sloman-Professor, Artificial Intelligence & Cognitive Studies, Sussex University) The emotional machine, 'Real' intelligence when? Natural Speech input and output is very difficult

Duration: 02:47

Machine Intelligence: Benedict du Boulay (Lecturer, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Sussex University). Diagnostics and expert systems

Duration: 01:44

Industrial Expert System (Imperial Cancer Research Fund knowledge base from Alex d'Agapeyeff Chairman, Expertech), and a child abuse assessing expert system demonstration

Duration: 02:59

When learning programs get it wrong; Intelligent learning machines in education should need to learn to adapt, too

Duration: 03:07

When is machine learning going to become a possibility (Alison Kidd-Head, Knowledge Engineering Group British Telecom). Dietary advice that would address individual's problems. Menu Planning as an example for an Expert System for advice. Education needs all our social skills to be effective

Duration: 03:47

Human Roles for Computers less realistic currently, compared with them being used as a tool for people and education

Duration: 03:17

Expert Systems as tools for Experts and for insights, and diagnostics' tutors

Duration: 01:25

Tim O'Shea - Conclusions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for educationalists (Edward Fredkin - Adjunct Professor, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science MIT 1983 - His prediction of computers keeping man as pets)

Duration: 02:14

End Titles

Duration: 00:33

The Learning Machine

1. Promises, Promises

First broadcast: 25th April 1985
Duration 24:49

A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. The first of six programmes Promises, Promises ... As teachers have pointed out: 'They gave us the machines before anyone knew what to do with them.' Tim O'Shea questions the motives for putting micros into schools and suggests what is needed for the computer to live up to its educational promise. Film editor HOWARD SHARP Producer IAN WOOLF

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2. Why is so much educational software so lousy?

First broadcast: 2nd May 1985
Duration 24:28

A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. 2: Why is so much educational software so lousy? Why it is so difficult for parents and teachers to find educational software that does something useful, or at the very least does what it's supposed to do? Studio director: ROBERT ALBURY Producer: IAN WOOLF

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3. The Gender Gap

First broadcast: 9th May 1985
Duration 24:46

A personal view by Celia Hoyles of computers in education. 3: The Gender Gap. Girls are often excluded from computers at home and in school. They're even told that they shouldn't be interested in technology! Celia Hoyles , Professor of Mathematics, Institute of Education (London University), explores the myths and prejudices about computing and girls. Series producer IAN WOOLF Producer ROBERT ALBURY

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4. Which Way to a Job?

First broadcast: 16th May 1985
Duration 24:32

A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. A series of six programmes 4: Which Way to a Job? 'If we don't prepare pupils for a technological future we're sunk!' Is the technical and vocational teaching now appearing in our schools the best preparation for the changing world of work? Film editor JANE WOOD Producer LAN WOOLF

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5. Having a Bash at BASIC

First broadcast: 23rd May 1985
Duration 25:00

A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. A series of six programmes 5: Having a Bash at BASIC. 'BASIC? - The worst thing since sliced bread!' With a variety of professional programmers, Tim O'Shea presents the case against BASIC, and looks at recent developments in programming languages. education. Studio director ROBERT ALBURY Producer IAN WOOLF

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6. Intelligent Pets

First broadcast: 30th May 1985
Duration 24:21

A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. The last of six programmes 6: Intelligent Pets. Tim O'Shea looks at some possible futures for computers in education with Professor Aaron Sloman and Dr Benedict du Boulay Alison Kidd and Alex d'Agapeyeff. Sketches written by PAUL HINES Producer IAN WOOLF Director ROBERT ALBURY

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