Distance or Proximal Learning: Medium Matter

In distance education, communication technology supports an extant curriculum based on the text-book: a prior technology. Whilst we presume that language is at the heart of education, we rely on technology. But the word ‘technology’ is much misused and we lack any scientific understanding of our capacity for technology. As a consequence we are unable to challenge tradition. An answer to the question concerning technology that is consistent with the second law and evolutionary principles is outlined. The Turing machine, the conceptual basis of the new medium, defines its relationship to thought. The benefits of displacing the unsociable frigid flatland of the school-book by assistive Turing media are introduced.