Chronicles Revisited Podcast 11 — Where Did All the Light Go?

Chronicles Revisited Podcast 11: Where Did All the Light Go? 0:00/1702.704 1×

In 1985, Broderbund released Science Toolkit, a unique combination of hardware and software that enabled students to conduct simple experiments using an Apple II computer. Science Toolkit was an early example of ‘Microcomputer Based Labs’ or MBL, a concept first developed by Dr. Robert Tinker, a legend in the field of science education. While Tinker’s own efforts to commercially develop MBL–later known as ‘probeware’–fell short, Broderbund enjoyed success with Science Toolkit in the late 1980s, thanks largely to the company’s ability to market and distribute Apple II products to the educational market. This marketing effort included not one, but two glowing reviews for Science Toolkit on Computer Chronicles from Stewart Cheifet and Paul Schindler, respectively. Computer Chronicles Revisited, Part 53 — Reader Rabbit, Science Toolkit, A.G. Bear, and the Melard Access Computer Chronicles Revisited, Part 62 — Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow, Information Laboratory, Voyage of the Mimi, and the Factory Computer Chronicles Revisited, Part 97 — Byline, Higgins, Julie, and Mr. Gameshow Computer Chronicles #315 — Christmas Buyers Guide 1985 Computer Chronicles #506 — Consumer Buying Guide 1987 Broderbund/Synapse Software for Apple and IBM Personal Computers (1985) Technology in a Curriculum for Citizenship (James S. Eckenrod & Saul Rockman, 1986) ‘A Roundtable Discussion’ (Broderbund News, 1987) A History of Probeware (Robert Tinker, 2000) ‘Mourning Bob Tinker, the Thomas Edison of S.T.E.M.’ (Gary Stager, 2017) ‘Why in North Dakota is Carmen Sandiego?’ (Frank Cifaldi, 2020) Video Game Newsroom Time Machine — Gary Carlston Interview (Karl Kuras, 2021) Podcast Music: ‘Scenic Detour’ by Melody Ayres-Griffiths