An encoder for a teaching machine comprising: a contact-bearing board connected to the graphic answer input device of the teaching machine, and an encoder board with contacts arranged coaxially with respect to the contacts of the contact-bearing board, the encoder board being made as a plate of an insulation material while the contacts of said boards being separated by an expendable punched card serving as a programme carrier. According to the invention the encoder board is provided with sockets in which its contacts are housed, the contacts being spring-loaded and able to shift in the vertical direction.

An educational game for developing recognition skills regarding items of significance on a map, the map being any generally two dimensional depiction of a system (e.g. geological, astronomical, etc.). A map has a selecting electrode and a plurality of selectable electrodes, each selectable electrode being associated with one and only one item of significance on the map. A player draws a card from a deck of cards. The card bears a code and the name of an item of significance on the map. The code refers to a setting for a multiple pole, single throw switch. The switch is adapted to bring the selectable electrodes individually into an energizing circuit. The player sets the switch according to the code and then attempts to locate the named item of significance by contacting the selecting electrode with the selectable electrode associated with said item. If the player's choice is correct an indicator is energized. Optionally, a push button switch must be depressed before the indicator is energized. Examples of maps are disclosed as being a map of the United States and a map of the heavens as seen from the earth.

A multi-modal automated educational and entertainment device having improved functional versatility and which requires relational positioning of input data by the user which corresponds to required manual operations and procedures. The device comprises a tablet having a non-relational section for input of control or predefined information and at least one relational section for input of data, a stylus for activating the non-relational and relational sections of the tablet, a microcomputer logic unit for processing signals from the non-relational and relational sections of the tablet, and a memory unit for storing programs and data base for determining the accuracy or inaccuracy of the signals provided the microcomputer logic unit. Visual and audio outputs can also be provided for operator reinforcement and a power source for activating the device. A sequence of steps for operating the multi-modal automated educational and entertainment device under the control of stored programs is also provided.

An educational and entertainment device wherein a microcomputer is mounted in a housing to receive user generated data presented by moving a conducting stylus across perpendicular arrays of conductors on a work surface formed on the housing and presents information to the user via audio and visual devices. The conductors of each array are organized into first write groups formed of a plurality of interconnected conductors which can be placed in a selected electrical state by words written to the write groups and into read groups, read by the microcomputer, formed of a plurality of interconnected conductors interspersed with the conductors of the write groups. Additional, second write groups are interspersed with the first write groups and read groups. The arrays are alternatively mounted on the work surface or on a support member which can be detachably mounted on the work surface and connectors are provided for connecting the arrays on the support member to the microcomputer. The arrays are formed into a lamina by deforming arrays of wires with a die, injecting an insulating material in the interstices between the wires to form a lamina, and subsequently removing portions of the lamina adjacent the surface thereof.