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%T The design, implementation, and assessment of software for use in the teaching of history
%A Morgan, Nicholas J.
%A Moss, M. S.
%A Trainor, Rick H.
%A Wilson, A. T.
%J Historical Social Research
%N 2
%P 105-111
%V 11
%D 1986
%@ 0172-6404
%= 2009-02-13T13:04:00Z
%~ GESIS
%> https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-52051
%X (1) In recent years nine arts-related departments at
Glasgow University have been successful in winning funds for the
creation of large databases. Although these data are being extensively
exploited for research, the great potential they offer for
undergraduate teaching remains largely untapped due to the lack of
suitably tailored software and hardware provision.
(2) Our objective is to give arts-based students access to these
complex highly structured data in the classroom without requiring
them to master difficult operating systems. In this way they would
gain valuable transferable skills in information technology. These
will enhance the historians' traditional skills of evaluating,
interpreting and presenting evidence, long recognized as useful by
employers.
(3) The scheme will require the establishment of a centrally sited
teaching laboratory comprising sixteen micro-computers and fileserver linked to the mainframe through a communications PAD. Chosen to
ensure a maximum degree of compatability, the micro-computers (with
the appropriate operating system) will be capable of acting as
terminals, as a local area network or as single workstations. A
facility technician will be employed to supervise the lab's day-to-day
running, leaving a programmer/analyst to concentrate exclusively
on applying and developing software for the three designated
courses.
(4) The software will enable students to access and scan files with
ease and submit complex search, correlative, and quantitative requests
by means of a friendly user interface. It will be possible
to generate output in alphanumeric and graphic format either online
or in hard copy. Throughout, priority will be given to transferability and portability, particularly in relation to the complementary project at the University of Edinburgh.
(5) The project will be directed by Dr. R.H. Trainor consulting
with a committee representing the participants - the departments of
Modern History, Scottish History and Economic History, the University Archives, the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine - and the Computing Service. The latter will provide overall technical
supervision. The department of Computing Science will co-operate in
formulating an academic staff development programme. With the help
of the University adviser on teaching methods the designated courses
will be closely monitored in order to assess the value of the
particular software, hardware and teaching methods in the project.
%C DEU
%G en
%9 journal article
%W GESIS - http://www.gesis.org
%~ SSOAR - http://www.ssoar.info