Karl Zinn





Introduction
Quoting from: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=bhlead&idno=umich-bhl-0476


 * Karl L. Zinn, a specialist in computer-assisted instruction, joined the University of Michigan faculty in 1963 as a research associate with the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching. Promoted to research scientist in 1969, Zinn was instrumental in establishing the MERIT computer network and developing CONFER, the first computer-based conferencing systems on campus. Papers document the development and utilization of CONFER and contain extensive examples of print-outs of conferences, particularly those relating to the use of computers in instruction. Topical files chronicle various technological issues, including the development of MERIT and early uses of computers in the classroom.

Outline for a Document
Here is a rough outline for a Pioneer page. As you create such a page, please make appropriate use of main headings (surrounded by one = on each side) sub headings (surrounded by == on each side) and, if you feel it to be appropriate, sub sub headings (surrounded by === on each side).

1. General demographic types of information such as birth date and place, education, employment, and so on.

2. Setting the scene. This might go all the way back to the pioneer's childhood. Try to capture the essence of how the world was before the pioneer began to do his or her pioneering work. Pay particular attention to the levels of Information and Communication Technology, and their use in education, at the time.

3. Major pioneering efforts and contributions. Try to capture the essence of the pioneer's legacy contributions to the field of ICT in education. Be factual. Provide references if possible.

4. Up close and personal stories about the pioneer. These can be contributed by many different authors. Try to flesh out the pioneer as a person and his or her contributions as part of the overall human endeavor of developing the field of ICT in education.

5. Autobiographic materials written by the pioneer in the past and/or written especially for this IAE-pedia document.

6. Interview. If the pioneer is not deceased, try to gather interview information via face to face meeting, phone, or email. Here are three sample interview questions:


 * Q. Looking back over your pioneering activities, which do you feel best about? What is your legacy?
 * Q. Drawing upon your years of experience and accumulated wisdom, what do you think are some of the very best ways to improve our current informal and formal educational systems?
 * Q. What else do you want to say to today's students, teachers, parents, and other people?

7. References. This includes references to sources of information about the pioneer as well as references to some of the published works or and other activities of the Pioneer.

8. Author or Authors. You are encouraged to include your name as the initial author of the document.

9. Finally, at the very bottom of the page you are creating, on a line all by itself and in double square brackets, enter the text: Category: Pioneer

Introduction
(This is the beginning of a document about the Pioneer.)

Here is a bit of early history about Karl Zinn:


 * One of the first places to start exploring computer conferencing systems was the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) at the University of Michigan. In 1971 Karl Zinn received funding from the National Science Foundation and the Exxon Education Foundation to study methods of using computers in education. He started experimenting with existing computer conferencing systems in 1972, but found them expensive and restrictive to use. In response to this, Robert Parnes developed Confer in 1975 as a dissertation project. Confer ran on the University's immense MTS mainframe system (see also here) and its use was initially limited to those few students and faculty that had computer accounts in those days.

Questions and Answers
This is an "Up close and personal" section. It includes both questions directed to the Pioneer if he or she is still available to answer questions, and personal stories contributes by friends and acquaintances. If it is appropriate, please include the following question submitted by Dave Moursund. Remember, this is a question to the Pioneer, not to the person writing about the Pioneer.

Q. Drawing upon your years of experience in the field of education, what do you think are some of the very best ways to improve our current informal and formal educational systems?

A. (Response not yet provided.)