The University of Illinois' PLATO IV system is an exciting, versatile computer-aided instruction (CAI) system. However, it needs more development before it can grow from an experiment into a widely accepted teaching aid, used day-to-day in the schools. Cost is a major obstacle in the path of PLATO's growth.
This article studies each component of the PLATO system—the computer hardware, the courseware, the student terminal, and the distribution network. The discussions of each component point out cost-determining factors. One component which offers an opportunity for cutting costs is the distribution network.
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