The use of minicomputers in geography teaching — Some prognostications

The effects of wide availability of small, cheap, portable minicomputers on geography teaching and on the content of geography syllabuses in higher education are considered. Simulation, visual display, and computer aided instruction are identified as the features of minicomputers that are most likely to affect teaching methods, while the need to appreciate and to use computers will lead to a greater emphasis on training geography students in the skills required. Four simple examples of the use of the minicomputer in geography teaching are given, and the final section of the paper contains some recommendations for future developments.