COMPUETR ASSISTED INSTRUCTION(CAI)
CAI refers to the use of the computer as a tool to facilitate and improve instruction.
CAI programs use tutorials, drill and practice, simulation, and problem solving
approaches to present topics, and they test the student's understanding.
Types of Computer Assisted Instruction
1. Drill-and-practice : Repeatedly practice of the skills for mastery
2. Tutorial activity includes both the presentation of information and its
extension into different forms of work.
3. Games creates a contest to achieve the highest score .
4. Simulation : provide an approximation of reality .
5. Discovery : Enable the learner to analyze, compare, infer and evaluate
the data.
6. Problem Solving : helps children to develop specific problem solving skills
and strategies.
CAI PROVIDES :-
1. text or multimedia content
2. multiple-choice questions
3. problems
4. immediate feedback
5. notes on incorrect responses
6. summarizes students' performance
7. exercises for practice
8. Worksheets and tests.
ADVANTAGES OF CAI
• one-to-one interaction
• great motivator
• freedom to experiment with different options
• Individual attention and immediate feed-back
• Helps teacher can devote more time to individual students
ADVANTAGES OF CAI
• Self pacing - allow students to proceed at their own pace
• Privacy helps the shy and slow learner to learns
LIMITATIONS OF CAI
• may feel overwhelmed by the information and resources available
• over use of multimedia may divert the attention from the content
• learning becomes too mechanical
• non availability of good CAI packages
• lack of infrastructure
Computer Assisted Aids (CAA)
Computer Assisted Aids (CAA) is also known as Computer Assisted Learning
(CAL) and Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI)
Computer assisted learning (CAL), as the name implies, is
the use of electronic devices/computers to provide educational instruction
and to learn. Computer assisted learning can be used in virtually all fields
of education, ranging from TV/DVD play-learn program for kindergarten
kids to teaching quadruple bypass surgery techniques in medicine. CAL is
developed by combining knowledge from all fields of education/learning,
human computer interaction (HCI) and cognition.
Computer Assisted Learning Terminologies
Below are some of the terms and acronyms used in the field of Computer
assisted learning, though the terms may vary according to domain or
specificity.
Terminology Meaning
CBT Computer Based Training/Test
CAI Computer Assisted Instruction
CAL Computer Assisted Learning
WBT Web Based Training/Tutorial
CALL Computer Assisted Language Learning
Computer Assisted Learning Assessment Tools
Multiple Choice Questions: Mainly used for computer based tests, this type
of exercise is used to assess a student’s understanding of things they have
been taught. It is used for CBTs.
Fill-in the Gap: Also used for CBTs, the student is required to type text in
gaps/spaces where some of the words are missing. The student has to
provide suitable words to solve the exercise. The test can be easily done
within a few minutes and can be created with inexpensive software such
as Hot Potato.
Find the Answers: In this test, the student(s) are given questions and they
have to looks for the answer on their own in e-libraries or using the
Internet. The answers may be submitted to the teacher in various required
submission formats.
Scrabble/Crossword Puzzles: Crossword puzzles are mainly used in
computer assisted language learning or at the basic education level. They
can be created from the vocabulary that students have just been learning
and the game can be played during leisure hours.
WebQuest: A WebQuest is an exercise where the students are required to
provide answers to questions on issues mostly found on the web.
WebQuest is meant to develop the student’s skill on using/analyzing
provided information rather than looking for it. In this case, the teacher
will provide the students with the needed internet links to the exercise.
Adventure Games: These are computer simulated role-plays where the
student is presented with a situation that he/she has to deal with and
pass. The student has to be fast in analyzing the game and inputting the
result either as text, by manipulating the game’s controls, or by clicking on
certain options. At the end of the game, the program gives feedback on
the player’s performance.
Listening Exercises: For these exercises, the computer replaces the tape
recorder. The computer is connected to a sound system. Students are
required to listen attentively to an audio recording being played from the
computer. Podcasts, audio CD/DVD, audio streams, etc., are often used.
This exercise is used to promote listening skills in students. It can be
followed immediately with multiple choice exercises if the students have
grasped the content.
