Introduction

Technological changes are transforming society and the ways in which we learn. Teachers
need to be computer literate and prepared to use the computer effectively in their teaching.
Their computer use should be confident, thoughtful, and integrated into their teaching
philosophies as well as their strategies. Teachers must know how and when to use the tools of
computer technology to develop and expand their students' abilities. Since then, continuous
refinement and experimentation has taken place in this course every semester. Foundations of
Instructional Computing components include computer terminology, hardware selection, use
of productivity tools, types of educational software, software evaluation and integration,
telecommunications, use of hypermedia, computer ethics, and discussion of numerous
computer technology issues related to education. The major objective of this paper is to help
teachers develop use of computer technology that is confident, thoughtful, and integrated into
one's teaching philosophy and strategies.

Instructional computing is a subset of educational technology. Instructional computingis

narrower in scope than educational technology. However, both concepts are related. While
educational technology principles can be applied to solving educational problems at the
macro
level, Instructional computing principles can be applied to solving instructional problems at
the micro level.
Problems such as designing a new curriculum, designing a new programme, finding
solutions to the problem of mass failure, conduct of large scale examinations, recruitment of
new teachers, designing a policy on establishment of resource centres/libraries at the national
level etc. are
those to be tackled at the realm of educational technology. However, instructional problems
such as management of teaching-learning situation at the classroom level, deciding on choice
of instructional media, methods, topic etc. is in the sphere of instructional technology. It is
evident therefore that Instructional computing is subsumed in educational technology.
All candidates seeking initial certification or endorsements in teacher preparation programs
should receive foundations that prepare them to:
1. Demonstrate ability to operate a computer system in order to successfully use software.
2. Evaluate and use computers and related technologies to support the instructional process.
3. Apply current instructional principles, research and appropriate assessment practices to the
use of computers and related technologies.
4. Explore, evaluate, and use computer/technology-based materials, including applications,
educational software, and associated documentation.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of uses of computers for problem solving, data
6. collection, information management, communications, presentation, and decision making.
7. Design and develop student learning activities that integrate computing and
8. Technology for a variety of student grouping strategies and for diverse student populations.
9. Evaluate, select, and integrate computer/technology based instruction in the curriculum of
one's subject area(s) and/or grade levels.
10. Demonstrate knowledge of uses of. multimedia, hypermedia, and telecommunications to
support instruction.
11. Demonstrate skill in using productivity tools for professional and personal use, including
word processing, database, spreadsheet, and print/graphics utilities.

The functional terms associated with Instructional computing

Education: Aims at bringing desirable changes in the behaviour of an individual.
Instructions: Knowledge acquired or transferred for specific measurable purpose through
planned efforts.
Teaching: Process of providing situations in which learning takes place.
Learning: Process by which a person becomes changed in his behavior through self-activity.
Media: A means to provide direct link between the course developed and the learner through
individual oriented instructional programmes.
Devices: A strategy to promote effective learning through media or equipment.
Information: An overview of ideas or subject matter by dealing with content in general.
Instruction: refers to systematically organized programme designed to produce certain
knowledge, skill, understanding, attitude, and behaviour patterns among learners.
Computing: refers to systematic application of scientific or other organized knowledge to
practical tasks.
Instructional computing: defined as the application of scientific knowledge about human
learning to the practical tasks of teaching and learning.
Training: is all about equipping participants with specific knowledge and skills through a
planned programme to achieve greater competence and improved performance.
 Concept of Instructional Computing

The term “Instruction” refers to systematically organized programme designed to produce

certain knowledge, skill, understanding, attitude, and behaviour patterns among learners. The
term “Technology” refers to systematic application of scientific or other organized
knowledge to practical tasks. A technology of Instruction is thus a particular systematic
arrangement of teaching learning events designed to put the knowledge into practice in a
predictable effective manner so as to attain specific objectives.

As defined by Momurin (1970), Instructional computing is a systematic way of designing,

carrying out and evaluating the total process of learning and teaching in terms of human
learning and communication, and employing a combination of human and non-human
resources to bring about more effective instruction.

Sharma (1989) defined Instructional computing as a network of techniques or devices

employed to accomplish certain defined set of learning objectives.

Instructional computing applies the principles and theories of psychological learning to get
deep insight into the content, structure and sequence of instruction to develop instructional
resources for attaining desired learning outcomes. In other words, Instructional computing
works at shaping the instructional uses of the materials to turn them into instructional
resources.

In a nut shell instruction technology means development of instruction with media for
effective teaching –learning process. Further, Instructional computing is concerned with
determining and providing appropriate stimuli to the learner to produce certain types of
responses for making learning more effective evaluating the total process of teaching and
learning based on specific instructional objectives, using available human and non-human
elements to improve the quality of instruction.
Characteristics of Instructional Computing

Instructional computing can easily be identified with a basic knowledge of its characteristics.
Some of the important characteristics of Instructional computing are;

i. Organizing learning according to the ability of the learner, thereby enabling him/her to learn
at his /her own pace.
ii. Laying special emphasis on providing reinforcement for the correct responses.
iii. Dividing content into different elements and presenting each element independently.
 iv. Promoting self-study whereby learners learn as per their needs.
v. Employing a network of techniques or devices to accomplish certain defined learning
objectives.
vi. Communicating instructions to large number of clientele/learners.
vii. Developing instructional technologies based on psychological learning theories and
principles

Nature and scope of Instructional Computing

Extension Education is the process of teaching rural people how to live better by learning
ways that improve their farm, home and community institutions. Since learning and teaching
are always the keys to education, extension educators must understand at least the elementary
characteristics of the process and be able to apply them in their work with people. The
following inter linked components d represent the nature of Instructional Technology viz a
viz the following points:

i. Teacher- learner friendly: It creates congenial environment for teaching and learning.
ii. Goal directive: The instructions designed clearly indicates the intended behavioural change in
the learner.
iii. Effective communication tool: It is a composite of all the elements of communication.
iv. Curriculum reform: It is an effort towards making learning effective.
v. Sequential learning: Planning allows linear learning both vertically and horizontally.
vi. Systematic application: Accessing all available resources and scientific knowledge.
vii. Composition of hardware and software: Written materials and soft devices will be made
accessible.
viii. A process of improving learning methodology: Makes learning very participate due to
provision of continuous stimuli and response.
ix. Supplement and support the efforts of the teacher: It does not replace the teacher but supports
teaching in creating teaching and learning environment

Characteristics of Instructional Computing

Instructional computing can easily be identified with a basic knowledge of its characteristics.
Some of the important characteristics of Instructional computing are;

i. Organizing learning according to the ability of the learner, thereby enabling him/her to learn
at his /her own pace.
ii. Laying special emphasis on providing reinforcement for the correct responses.
iii. Dividing content into different elements and presenting each element independently.
iv. Promoting self-study whereby learners learn as per their needs.
v. Employing a network of techniques or devices to accomplish certain defined learning
objectives.
vi. Communicating instructions to large number of clientele/learners.
vii. Developing instructional technologies based on psychological learning theories and
principles

Need of Instructional Technology

The purpose of Instructional computing is to make education more productive,

individualistic, powerful and scientific which enhances the learning more immediate with
more equal access. The use of Instructional computing can solve educational problems
related to are given below as

a. Growing population
b. Heterogeneity of learners
c. Divergent and even conflicting needs of the learners coming from different socio-cultural
areas
d. Rapid development of new information
e. Knowledge explosion
f. Development of communication devices
g. Extending curricular and social changes arising from modernization

Importance of Instructional computing in the modern world

Survival in the modern world is becoming possible only by knowing more. Man makes
progress on the basis of what he knows, what he thinks, what he can do and what he actually
does with his physical and human resources. At present it has become important to improve
the standard of education by raising the quality of instruction to meet the ever growing
demands of the society. Instructional computing has come to our help in enhancing the
learning opportunities and systematizing the instructional process for greater efficiency in
teaching as well as learning. Instructional computing to reach large numbers in remote and
 inaccessible areas, remove disparity in educational facilities to the disadvantaged and provide
individualized instruction to learners conveniently suited to their needs and pace of learning.

Instructional computing is a newer concept in education. The results of teaching and learning
whether formal or informal are called education. Education is literally a comprehensive
process and imparting instruction is one of the sub-process of achieving the goals and
objectives of it. Accordingly, technology of instruction may be considered as one of the parts
and sections of the entire event relating to educational technology. In a strict sense,
Instructional computing is concerned with determining and providing appropriate stimuli to
the learner to produce certain types of responses for making learning more effective.

The use of Instructional computing can systematize the process of teaching-learning in both
formal and informal teaching situations. The extension programmes can be improved if they
are planned and produced based on the principles of Instructional computing by invoking
appropriate media and including some means of feedback.

The development of instructions with media is a latest trend which is represented by the term
instructional technology. It goes beyond any particular medium or device and is considered as
important constituent of educational technology.

Advantages of Instructional Technology

i. Makes the instruction more interesting.

ii. Delivery of instruction is more standardized.
iii. Learning becomes more interactive by applying accepted learning techniques.
iv. Quantity of learning is improved.
v. Instruction can be provided as and when required.
vi. Help in development of positive attitude of students towards learning and to the learning
process itself.
vii. The role of instruction can be appreciably changed in positive direction
viii. The functional terms associated with instructional technology.
Reference

Agarwal J.C. 2007 Textbook on Essentials of Educational Technology Innovations in

Teaching Learning, second edition, Vikas Publishing House PVT LTD.
Cimikowski, Linda; Cook, Joan (1996). A Model Instructional Computing Course for
Preservice Teachers.
Macmillan School Dictionary (2004)
Marwick, A. (1974): Nature of History, London: Urwin Publishers
Oluokun, O. and Olayanju, O. (2000): An Introduction to Principles and Methods of
Teaching,
Lagos: SIB Publishers.
Sumita Roy, Tej Verma and Pushpa Gupta 2006 Textbook on Family Approach in Extension
Programme Management, First edition, Indian council of Agricultural Research, New
Delhi