Learning and teaching machines and conversation theory. Some contemporary implications and ideas for research (Q2746813)

Gordon Pask (1928--1996) was a pioneer of the second generation of cybernetics. An outline of his career is given, from graduation from Cambridge University in 1952 through his professorship at Brunel University, London. An indication is given of the contents of his principal early work, \textit{An approach to cybernetics}, 1961, which presented a theory of learning and developed a teaching machine. His ``conversation theory'' described linguistic communication between people and ``cybernetic machines'' and from it ``conversing systems'' emerged. The author mentions applications which he has made of Pask's work in policy making in politics and business. Further references are provided.