Teaching device

Abstract

A device employing audio and visual aids for the teaching of reading, arithmetic and the like. The device is to be used with cards having printed indicia and a magnetic strip. The device includes a housing having a microphone, a speaker and a chassis positioned therein. A card path extends across the housing and the chassis. Located on the chassis is a magnetic recording and reproducing head assembly capable of recording and reproducing that which has been recorded on two tracks on the magnetic strip. Separate drive systems are employed for forward and reverse and are also mounted on the chassis. A selector plate is pivotally mounted on the chassis and includes certain rollers associated with both the forward and reverse drive systems such that the selector plate may be pivoted to disengage the forward drive system and simultaneously engage the reverse drive system to return a card to its starting position. A system on-off switch extends to the card path so the system will be activated by the placement of a card in the card path. The placement of the head assembly is controlled by a cam such that the head may be moved laterally across the card path for the selection of one of two tracks. A switch alternately provides recording on or reproducing from the magnetic strip. Control of the teaching device is provided by three keys each of which selects a predetermined track, selects either the record or reproduce modes and activates the reverse drive means to return the card to the starting position. The device then automatically drives the card forward across the head assembly to record or reproduce that which has been recorded. A locking mechanism is provided to prevent students from erasing and recording over prerecorded information on one track.