Plato III

Plato III was an educational computer system developed by Control Data Corporation (CDC) in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was the third major iteration of the PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations) system, building upon the earlier PLATO I and PLATO II systems.

Plato III was significant for its advanced features and capabilities for its time, including the use of a plasma display terminal which offered superior graphics compared to many other terminals. This display technology allowed for rich interactive content, including animated graphics and branching narratives, which were used extensively in educational lessons.

The Plato III system was built around a central mainframe computer, typically a CDC Cyber machine, and supported multiple users simultaneously. Students accessed the system through dedicated terminals located in classrooms or learning centers.

Key features of Plato III included:

• High-resolution graphics: The plasma display terminals enabled the creation and display of detailed graphical content.
• Touch input: The terminals also often featured touch-sensitive screens, allowing for direct interaction with the content.
• Interactivity: The system was designed to provide highly interactive learning experiences, with students able to respond to questions, explore different scenarios, and receive immediate feedback.
• Programming Language (TUTOR): The system utilized a programming language called TUTOR, which was specifically designed for creating educational applications. TUTOR was relatively easy to learn and allowed instructors to create custom lessons tailored to their students' needs.
• Courseware Development: Plato III fostered a vibrant community of developers who created a large library of courseware across various subjects, including mathematics, science, languages, and the arts.
• Networking Capabilities: Plato III systems were sometimes networked, allowing users to share courseware and communicate with each other.

While Plato III eventually gave way to later versions of PLATO and other educational technologies, it is remembered as a pioneering system that demonstrated the potential of computers to revolutionize education. Its innovative features and interactive approach helped to lay the groundwork for many of the computer-based learning systems that are used today. The system's impact can still be felt in the design and development of modern educational software and online learning platforms.