COMPUTER-ASSISTED INSTRUCTION & PROGRAMMED LEARNING

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is an interactive instructional method that uses a computer to present material, track learning, and direct the user to additional material which meets the student’s needs. It can also be used to describe Internet based instruction through the use of webpages, web bulletin boards, listservs and newsgroups, video and real audio, graphics, and hands-on applications. Additionally, self-teaching programs on CD-ROM or the emerging DVD round out the group of available forms of CAI. (Bucholtz 50)

Programmed learning (PL) is interactive because the individual user actively responds to viewing and assimilating information from a non-interactive medium of instruction (e.g., normal text, filmstrips, television, etc.). Programmed learning is adaptive because PI are often designed to accommodate individual characteristics of users, such as background knowledge or the pace at which they learn. Programmed instruction (PI), as compared with programmed learning, is concerned only indirectly with what users do. Rather, programmed instruction refers to the practice of writing programmed materials. It is therefore concerned with what program writers do. It represents the teaching side of the teaching/learning distinction. In contrast, web based instruction uses hypermedia design which focuses on the needs of the student and the way in which he/she desires to access information. (Pressey 276)

CAI is an interactive instructional technique whereby a computer is used to present the instructional material and monitor the learning that takes place. It is also known as computer-assisted learning (CAL), computer-based education (CBE), and computer-based training (CBT). CBT allows the students to direct his/her own progress. (Fourie 48)

CAI learning uses a combination of text, graphics, sound and video in the learning process. It is especially useful in distance learning situations. The explosion of the Internet as well as the demand for distance learning has generated great interest and expansion of computer-assisted instruction. The first university formed to provide degrees entirely through Internet courses was Jones International University in 1993. It received full accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) on March 5, 1999. (Helfer 62) Currently, there are more and more colleges and universities offering web-based courses and programs.