In The Development of a SMS-based Teaching and Learning System, Simon So frames the use of mobile technology around Robert Taylor’s 1980 book The Computer in the School: Tutor, Tool, Tutee. Taylor described the way computers can be used as:

  • a tool to support learning,
  • a tutor that instructs, and
  • a tutee that is taught.

So goes on to group administrative tasks such as notifying staff and students about changes/cancellations underneath the “tool” classification, but struggles a bit to find ways of describing use as “instructive” and, to a greater extent, the tutee role. He connects the tutor role to teaching, and the tutee role to learning. Granted, I haven’t read Taylor’s work, but it seems to me that he is, at a minimum, describing some sort of creative/constructive activity when he uses the word “tutee”. My initial thought was that Taylor was alluding to the possibility of using AI in a way that allows student to actually teach content. If this is the case, I have a hard time with this connection in particular.

This is the first time that I’ve come across a reference to Taylor’s book, but I have seen the word “seminal” used as a descriptor, so I’ll be adding it to my reading list. Unfortunately, I’m having a hard time finding a new copy. I’ll do a bit more searching, but there are some used copies for sale on Amazon. Has anyone read this book? Thoughts?

Posted via web from Andrew J. Cerniglia