US West was searching for an educational schema compatible with some of their technologies. They began this search with a $293,000 grant to create three test CDs -- history, archaeology, literature. We created the literature CD.
Their plan for the future was to move these projects onto a server and test the possibility of students accessing them in an environment other than the Internet (at that time they were hoping to discover a method for charging for online data).
Strengths
Theory of the time suggested that well designed, interactive media could improve student interest in learning. More visually appealing content, with more interesting navigation should be a very powerful heuristic.
Problems
Literature is perhaps a topic best explored in a Socratic environment involving discussions with a teacher that allows students to explore their ways to conclusions. CD-ROM does not by itself allow students to have comprehensive discussions with anybody.
Conclusions
While CD-ROM technologies showed promise for instruction, they were not appropriate for the instructional genres relevant to literature.
Publications
1995 International Instructional Technologies Conference