The cavis system

Last month saw the launch of CAVIS, a new teaching system that mixes video cassette pictures with videotex words and diagrams to provide a stand‐alone training system. Using a keypad the student responds to the television display and is tutored interactively. Video sequences can be branched to and student progress is monitored automatically. Specially prepared video material or existing training programmes on VHS videocassette can immediately be made interactive and configured to suit local training requirements. Other training materials on film and slide can be transferred on to the system. CAVIS is a system that applies microelectronic and computer technology to the needs of training. How successfully does it do this and what advantages does it have over the teaching machines of the 1960's and more recently CAL and videodisc?