What is Computer Aided Instruction?

“Computer-assisted instruction” (CAI) refers to instruction or remediation presented on a computer. Many educational computer programs are available online and from computer stores and textbook companies. They enhance teacher instruction in several ways.

Just as word-processing on personal computers revolutionized the ways that all writers worked, fully networked computer classrooms can improve the ways we teach composition at every level. Students with word processors tend to write more than those who must write longhand (and with greater legibility), but composition CAI (Computer Aided Instruction) involves more than just generating text. In a well-equipped computer classroom and with proper training, instructors can do everything they could do in a standard classroom, but the computers allow them to accomplish many additional goals that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. Projection screens enhance demonstrations and allow for shared-screen work; local network servers facilitate paperless transfer of files; access to the Internet can turn each seat into a library; and on-line conferencing can make the students more active, written participation by every student.

One of the most important reasons why CAI was created is that students like learning in the environment that the computer has to offer. CAI packages of today are much more user-friendly and entertaining than their ancestors. “These technologies move us light years beyond the boring drill that early educational software promoted, and allow highly engaging activities like multimedia simulation.” (Gifford, 1993) Students can now work at their own pace regardless of the level at which they are supposed to be. This promotes self-confidence because it gives the student a feeling of control over what they are learning. “The computer has allowed the student to become a more active participant in his/her education...” (Matray & Proulx, 1995)

Contrary to traditional teaching methods, CAI helps the student to remain focused on the topic at hand. In a classroom, it is easy for students to simply nod their heads every time the teacher looks in their direction. However, CAI programs insure that students pay attention and understand by constantly testing them on the information they are being taught. This is especially helpful in teaching subjects with which students often have difficulty. One example of such an application is a program that teaches Newton’s Third Law. A study was conducted, demonstrating this program’s effectiveness. The teachers found that the students were very inventive and actually enjoyed learning this normally difficult topic. “The use of these methods saved considerable class time and, best of all, post-test results show that the students absorb, internalized and retained the Newton’s third law (the end of the school year).” (Malone & Reiland, 1995)

Computer Aided instruction are also effective because they deal with more practical examples than those a textbook can offer and give students virtually a hands-on experience. Students may be exposed to experiences or mock-ups that they would not normally encounter. (Mumford, 1992) Group work has also become a much more important part of the classroom environment. Similar to the workplace students are encouraged to collaborate their ideas and thoughts with other members of their “team”. This is becoming a necessary skill which will benefit these students for the rest of their lives.

CAI technology has brought with it radical changes to the conventional classroom/laboratory. Teachers, students and parents have all been required to change their role in education. The teacher’s role has changed “from that of an oracle of knowledge to a guide and/or resource person.” (Matray & Proulx, 1995) As previously mentioned, students have changed from complacent, passive onlookers to active participants in the classroom. CAI has encouraged students to “explore more and memorize less.” (Matray & Proulx, 1995) Now more than ever, parents are strongly encouraged to take an active part in their child’s education. Since the software programs are available on the market, parents have the chance to bring education into the home at an affordable price.

Examples of CAI applications include guided drill and practice exercises, computer visualization of complex objects, and computer-facilitated communication between students and teachers. The number of computers in American schools has risen from one for every 125 students in 1981 to one for every nine students in 1996. While the United States leads the world in the number of computers per school student, Western European and Japanese schools are also highly computerized.

Information that helps teach or encourages interaction can be presented on computers in the form of text or in multimedia formats, which include photographs, videos, animation, speech, and music. The guided drill is a computer program that poses questions to students, returns feedback, and selects additional questions based on the students' responses. Recent guided drill systems incorporate the principles of education in addition to subject matter knowledge into the computer program.

Computers also can help students visualize objects that are difficult or impossible to view. For example, computers can be used to display human anatomy, molecular structures, or complex geometrical objects. Exploration and manipulation of simulated environments can be accomplished with CAI—ranging from virtual laboratory experiments that may be too difficult, expensive, or dangerous to perform in a school environment to complex virtual worlds like those used in airplane flight simulators.

CAI tools, such as word processors, spreadsheets, and databases, collect, organize, analyze, and transmit information. They also facilitate communication among students, between students and instructors, and beyond the classroom to distant students, instructors, and experts.

http://ug.cs.dal.ca/dispproj/cai.html
http://cai.ucdavis.edu/caidescription.html
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553343/Computer-Aided_Instruction.html
http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/computeraided_reading.asp