Abstract:
The PLATO computer-based education system was given the "hard-sell" treatment in 1980 and 1981. Part of the sales pitch relied on summaries of selected evaluation studies, some of which left a great deal to be desired. This meta-evaluation looks at the use of standardised tests and gain scores in small samples, and questions the wisdom of somewidely accepted evaluation procedures, illustrated by original data drawn from various evaluations of the PLATO system. There are not always wholly consistent.