Developmental Learning Materials

Developmental Learning Materials (DLM) was a Dallas, Texas based company that was founded by Jerry Chaffin and Bill Maxwell. DLM created a series of what they termed "Arcademic" software titles for the TI-99/4 and TI-99/4A. Arcademic is an amalgamation of the words academic and arcade and intended to portray the notion that learning could be enhanced in an entertaining environment that acted more like a video game. DLM was also involved with Walt Disney in the mid-1980s in helping them produce several titles for the TI-99/4A. It is said that former Texas Instruments (TI) programmers John Phillips and Michael Archuleta worked for DLM for a time until work dried up for TI programming. Besides creating titles for the TI-99/4 and TI-99/4A, DLM also created software for the Apple II+, Atari 800, Commodore 64, and IBM PCs.

Key Concepts

Arcademic Skill Builders: An approach to learning that used an arcade gaming format with colorful and lively graphics, and arcade-game like lively action in order to create an exciting atmosophere to encourage practicing important learning skills. Arcademic Skill Builder relied on the following principles:

• Persistence and Involvement
• Success in Learning
• High Rate of Learning
• Evidence of Improvement
• Individual Needs

Title Produced by Developmental Learning Materials (DLM)

• Alien Addition (PHM 3115)
• Alligator Mix (PHM 3114)
• Demolition Division (PHM 3116)
• Dragon Mix (PHM 3117)
• Meteor Multiplication (PHM 3119)
• Minus Mission (PHM 3118)
• Verb Viper (PHM 3120)
• Word Invasion (PHM 3169)
• Word Radar (PHM 3185)

External Links

• Moby Games: Developmental Learning Materials
• TI99ers Online User Group: Timeline Reference Page D