The computer is one of the wonders of human
ingenuity. With the invention of the microcomputer (now
also commonly referred to PCs or Personal Computer), the PC has become the
tools for programmed instructions.
Computer-assisted
instruction (CAI)
The computer can be a tutor in effect relieving the teacher of
many activities in his/her personal role as classroom teacher.
The computer cannot
totally replace the teacher since the teacher shall continue to play the major
roles of information deliverer and learning environment controller.
The teacher must:
v
Insure that students have the needed knowledge and
skills for any computer activity.
v
Decide the appropriate learning objectives .
v
Plan the sequential and structured activities to
achieve objectives.
v
Evaluate the students’ achievement by ways of tests
the specific expected outcomes.
The Students in CAI plays their own roles as
learners ,as they:
v
Receive information.
v Understand
instructions for the computer activity.
v
Retain/keep in mind the information and rules for
the computer activity.
v
Apply the knowledge and rules during the process of
computer learning.
The
Computer plays its
roles as it:
v
Acts as a sort of tutor (the role traditional played
by the teacher)
v
Provides a learning environment.
v
Delivers learning instruction.
v
Reinforces learning trough drill-and-practice.
v Provides
feedback.
CAI Integrated with Lessons
v
CAI computer learning should not stop with the drill
and practice activities of students
v
CAI works best in reinforcing learning through
repetitive exercises such that students can practice basic skills or knowledge
in various subject areas
v
In these programs, the computer presents a question
/problem first and the student is asked to answer the question/problem. Immediate
feedback us given to the student’s answer.
The question arises: When and how can teachers integrate drill and
practice programs with their lessons? The following suggestions can be
made:
v
Use drill and practice programs for basic skills and
knowledge that require rapid or automatic response by students (e.g.
multiplication table, letter and word
recognition, identification of geometric shapes, etc. )
v
Ensure that drill and practice activities conform to
the lesson plan/curriculum .
v
Limit drill and practice to 20-30 minutes to avoid
boredom.
v
Use drill and practice to assist students with
particular weakness in basic skills.
The tutorial software should be able:
v
Be able to teach new content/new information to
students (in as much as CAI provides practice on old or already learned
content)
v
Provide comprehensive information on concepts in
addition to practice exercises.
v
Be able to teach new content/new information to
students (in as much as CAI provides practice on old or already learned
content)
v
Provide comprehensive information on concepts in
addition to practice exercises.
v
Be effectively used for remediation, reviewing, or
enrichment.
v
Allow the teacher to introduce follow-up questions
to stimulate students’ learning.
v
Permit group activity for cooperative learning.
SIMULATION PROGRAMS
Simulation
software materials are another kind of software that are constructivist in
nature.
Simulation software:
§
Teaches strategies and rules applied to real-life
problems/ situation.
§
Asks students to make decision on models or
scenarios.
§ Allows
students to manipulate elements of a model and get the experience of the
effects of their decisions.
