A Model for a Multifunctional Teaching System A teaching system model that was incorporated into an operating system of a large computer is described. The model transferred control to the operating system to execute functions other than teaching, and then recovered control in order to resume teaching. The teaching system (ABAC-II) was written to run under the operating system (IBSYS) for the IBM 7044 Graphic System. Because the teaching system automatically terminated and rescheduled itself, a student studying a course presented at a cathode-ray display terminal could switch readily between student mode and programmer mode. During the latter, the full resources of the operating system (language processors, compilers, library and user's programs) were at his disposal. He could for example, write, assemble, debug, and execute at the terminal a program written in any language processed by the operating system. A course could therefore include text material interleaved with programming problems which the student could solve without leaving the terminal. Exercises in simulation and gaming could also be provided. The implications of a teaching system with this degree of flexibility for industrial and executive training as well as academic education are discussed. In addition, the advantages of this type of system for computer programming and operation are also considered. CACM June, 1967 Engvold, K. J. Hughes, J. L. CA670601 JB February 28, 1978 10:24 AM 1591 5 1591 1591 5 1591 1591 5 1591 1680 5 1591 1591 6 1591