The correct answer is: A. B.F. Skinner began the movement for their use.
Teaching machines are devices that present educational material to students in a systematic and individualized way. They were first developed in the 1950s by B.F. Skinner, a psychologist who believed that learning could be improved by providing students with immediate feedback and reinforcement.
Skinner’s teaching machines were designed to be used in conjunction with textbooks, and they typically consisted of a series of questions or problems that students could answer or solve. The machine would then provide feedback on the student’s responses, and the student could continue working until they had mastered the material.
Teaching machines have been used in a variety of settings, including schools, businesses, and the military. They have been shown to be effective in teaching a variety of subjects, including math, science, and language arts. However, they have not been widely adopted, and they are not without their critics.
One of the main criticisms of teaching machines is that they can be impersonal and boring. They can also be expensive to develop and maintain. Additionally, some people believe that teaching machines can never replace the human touch that comes from a real teacher.
Despite these criticisms, teaching machines continue to be used in some settings. They may be particularly useful for students who need extra help or for students who learn at a different pace than their classmates.
Here are brief explanations of the other options:
- B. They were designed as an economy measure to replace teachers. This is not the most accurate statement about teaching machines. Teaching machines were not designed to replace teachers, but to supplement their instruction.
- C. They are not as efficient as teachers in reinforcing responses. This is not the most accurate statement about teaching machines. Teaching machines can be very effective in reinforcing responses, and they can provide students with immediate feedback that teachers may not be able to provide.
- D. They can be used for all learning programmes. This is not the most accurate statement about teaching machines. Teaching machines are not appropriate for all learning programs. They are most effective for teaching skills that can be broken down into small steps and that can be practiced repeatedly.