computer based instruction: categories, characteristics, and applications in education

Lehman - Purdue University

Computer Based Instruction:Computer Based Instruction:Categories, Characteristics, and Categories, Characteristics, and

Applications in EducationApplications in Education

James D. LehmanJames D. Lehman

Educational TechnologyEducational Technology

Purdue UniversityPurdue University


Computer Based InstructionComputer Based Instruction

What is it?What is it? Forms of computer Forms of computer

assisted instructionassisted instruction Advantages and Advantages and

limitationslimitations ResearchResearch DevelopmentDevelopment

CBI



Computer based instruction (CBI) is Computer based instruction (CBI) is defined as the use of the computer in defined as the use of the computer in the delivery of instruction.the delivery of instruction.

Other similar terms include: Other similar terms include: computer based training (CBT), computer based training (CBT), computer assisted instruction (CAI), and computer assisted instruction (CAI), and computer assisted learning (CAL).computer assisted learning (CAL).



CBI is the oldest CBI is the oldest form of computer form of computer use in education; use in education; when most people when most people think of computer think of computer applications in applications in education, they think education, they think of CBI first.of CBI first.


Types of CBITypes of CBI


Common Categories of CBICommon Categories of CBI

Drill and PracticeDrill and Practice TutorialTutorial SimulationSimulation Instructional GameInstructional Game Problem-SolvingProblem-Solving OtherOther


What are the characteristics and What are the characteristics and common applications of drill and common applications of drill and

practice?practice?


Drill and PracticeDrill and Practice

Exercises designed to increase fluency Exercises designed to increase fluency in a new skill or body of knowledge or to in a new skill or body of knowledge or to refresh an existing skill or body of refresh an existing skill or body of knowledge.knowledge.

This approach assumes that the This approach assumes that the learners have previously been learners have previously been introduced to the content.introduced to the content.



Traditionally associated with basic skills Traditionally associated with basic skills in topics such as:in topics such as:– MathematicsMathematics

– Language artsLanguage arts

– TerminologyTerminology

Good programs provide user control, Good programs provide user control, give feedback and reinforcement, and give feedback and reinforcement, and help learners master skills.help learners master skills.



Good for basic skills/knowledge where Good for basic skills/knowledge where rapid student response is desired.rapid student response is desired.

Usually best to use in a series of brief Usually best to use in a series of brief sessions.sessions.

Mainly intended for use by individuals.Mainly intended for use by individuals. Should be geared to a level appropriate Should be geared to a level appropriate

for the students.for the students.


What are the characteristics and What are the characteristics and common applications of tutorials?common applications of tutorials?


TutorialTutorial

A form of CBI in which the computer A form of CBI in which the computer assumes the role of a tutor -- assumes the role of a tutor -- introducing content, providing practice, introducing content, providing practice, and assessing learning.and assessing learning.

Tutorials are used to introduce new Tutorials are used to introduce new content to learners in much the same content to learners in much the same manner that a human teacher might.manner that a human teacher might.


TutorialTutorial Because tutorials present content to Because tutorials present content to

students, they can be used in any area of students, they can be used in any area of the curriculum for:the curriculum for:– remediation when learners lack necessary remediation when learners lack necessary

background knowledge.background knowledge.

– enrichment when learners wish to go beyond enrichment when learners wish to go beyond the basics.the basics.

– introduction of content to all learners (freeing introduction of content to all learners (freeing the instructor to do other things).the instructor to do other things).


TutorialTutorial Good for verbal and conceptual Good for verbal and conceptual

learning.learning. May require significant investment of May require significant investment of

students’ time.students’ time. Can be effectively used by individuals or Can be effectively used by individuals or

groups of 2-3 students.groups of 2-3 students. Should be followed by opportunities for Should be followed by opportunities for

student application of knowledge.student application of knowledge.


What are the characteristics and What are the characteristics and common applications of common applications of

simulations?simulations?


SimulationSimulation

A form of CBI that provides a simplified A form of CBI that provides a simplified representation of a real situation, representation of a real situation, phenomenon, or process.phenomenon, or process.

Provides the opportunity for students to Provides the opportunity for students to apply knowledge in a realistic format but apply knowledge in a realistic format but without the time, expense, or risk without the time, expense, or risk associated with the real thing.associated with the real thing.


SimulationSimulation

One of the best ways to use CBI in the One of the best ways to use CBI in the sciences and other subject areas; sciences and other subject areas; simulation makes good use of what the simulation makes good use of what the computer does well.computer does well.

Simulations can mimic physical objects Simulations can mimic physical objects or phenomena, processes, procedures, or phenomena, processes, procedures, and situations.and situations.


SimulationSimulation Best used for application of knowledge, Best used for application of knowledge,

problem solving, and thinking skills.problem solving, and thinking skills. Time involvement may be brief or Time involvement may be brief or

extended depending on the simulation.extended depending on the simulation. Good for small groups of students, Good for small groups of students,

although can be used by individuals.although can be used by individuals. Often requires guidance and follow-up Often requires guidance and follow-up

for effective use.for effective use.


What are the characteristics and What are the characteristics and common applications of instructional common applications of instructional

games?games?


Instructional GameInstructional Game

Usually another type of CBI (e.g., drill Usually another type of CBI (e.g., drill and practice or simulation) modified to and practice or simulation) modified to include gaming elements.include gaming elements.

Generally featuresGenerally features– an end goal and rules of play.an end goal and rules of play.

– sensory appeal.sensory appeal.

– motivational elements (e.g., competition, motivational elements (e.g., competition, cooperation, challenge, fantasy).cooperation, challenge, fantasy).


Instructional GameInstructional Game

Examples of this type of CBI are found Examples of this type of CBI are found throughout education. Usually, they are throughout education. Usually, they are aimed at younger learners such as aimed at younger learners such as those in the elementary grades.those in the elementary grades.

Games can substitute for worksheets Games can substitute for worksheets and exercises, as a reward, or, in some and exercises, as a reward, or, in some cases, to foster cooperation.cases, to foster cooperation.


What are the characteristics and What are the characteristics and common applications of problem common applications of problem

solving software?solving software?


Problem SolvingProblem Solving

CBI program that is designed to foster CBI program that is designed to foster thinking or problem solving skills, but thinking or problem solving skills, but does not fit into one of the other does not fit into one of the other categories.categories.

Usually focuses on a specific type of Usually focuses on a specific type of problem solving and provides practice problem solving and provides practice on a number or variety of problems.on a number or variety of problems.


Problem SolvingProblem Solving

Problem solving applications sometimes Problem solving applications sometimes focus on specific topics areas (e.g., focus on specific topics areas (e.g., mathematics, science) and sometimes mathematics, science) and sometimes they are designed to promote general they are designed to promote general problem-solving abilities (e.g., pattern problem-solving abilities (e.g., pattern recognition, prediction).recognition, prediction).


OtherOther

Many applications, particularly those Many applications, particularly those that have been developed in recent that have been developed in recent years, are not easily classified into one years, are not easily classified into one of the preceding categories. of the preceding categories.


Advantages and LimitationsAdvantages and Limitationsof CBIof CBI


Advantages of CBIAdvantages of CBI

Interactive.Interactive. Provides immediate feedback.Provides immediate feedback. Infinitely patient.Infinitely patient. Motivates learners.Motivates learners. Provides consistency in presentation.Provides consistency in presentation. Can adjust difficulty to level of learner.Can adjust difficulty to level of learner.


Advantages of CBIAdvantages of CBI Able to branch to provide appropriate Able to branch to provide appropriate

content presentation to the learner. content presentation to the learner. Can present concepts or processes Can present concepts or processes

dynamically and using multiple forms of dynamically and using multiple forms of representation.representation.

Can maintain records of student Can maintain records of student performance.performance.

Frees the instructor to do other things.Frees the instructor to do other things.


Limitations of CBILimitations of CBI Equipment and software can be costly.Equipment and software can be costly. Development takes time and money.Development takes time and money. Not all learning outcomes are well Not all learning outcomes are well

addressed by CBI.addressed by CBI. Unsophisticated applications may not Unsophisticated applications may not

make good use of the computer.make good use of the computer. Simple CBI has limited modalities (but Simple CBI has limited modalities (but

multimedia is changing that).multimedia is changing that).


What the Research SaysWhat the Research SaysAbout CBIAbout CBI



James Kulik and associates at the James Kulik and associates at the University of Michigan have completed University of Michigan have completed several meta-analyses examining the several meta-analyses examining the impact of computer based instruction in impact of computer based instruction in comparison to “traditional” instructional comparison to “traditional” instructional approaches. The results have been approaches. The results have been generally positive.generally positive.



ES = 0.30 associated with performance ES = 0.30 associated with performance for computer based instruction when for computer based instruction when compared to traditional methods (i.e. compared to traditional methods (i.e. learners using computers tend to do learners using computers tend to do moderately better).moderately better).

The effects tend to be larger at lower The effects tend to be larger at lower grade levels.grade levels.



On average, computer based instruction On average, computer based instruction takes 30% less time than traditional takes 30% less time than traditional methods.methods.

Using computers tends to give students Using computers tends to give students more positive attitudes toward more positive attitudes toward computers and, in some cases, more computers and, in some cases, more positive attitudes toward the subject.positive attitudes toward the subject.



While encouraging, it is important to While encouraging, it is important to point out that these studies have been point out that these studies have been criticized for various reasons.criticized for various reasons.

It is not computers per se that affect It is not computers per se that affect performance. Instead, it is software performance. Instead, it is software design and implementation methods design and implementation methods that are the key. that are the key.


Developing CBIDeveloping CBI


Development ToolsDevelopment ToolsContinuumContinuum

Programming LanguagesProgramming Languages

Multimedia / hypermedia toolsMultimedia / hypermedia tools

Authoring systemsAuthoring systems


Programming LanguagesProgramming Languages

C++, BASIC, etc.C++, BASIC, etc.

Powerful and flexiblePowerful and flexible

Usually relatively inexpensiveUsually relatively inexpensive

Difficult to learn and to useDifficult to learn and to use


Authoring SystemsAuthoring Systems

Authorware Professional, IconAuthor, Authorware Professional, IconAuthor,

TenCORE, Quest, etc.TenCORE, Quest, etc.

Relatively easy to learn and useRelatively easy to learn and use

Powerful for some applications, but Powerful for some applications, but

limited for otherslimited for others

ExpensiveExpensive


Multimedia / Hypermedia ToolsMultimedia / Hypermedia Tools

eZedia, Flash, HyperCard, HyperStudio, eZedia, Flash, HyperCard, HyperStudio,

Toolbook, DirectorToolbook, Director

Relatively easy to learn and useRelatively easy to learn and use

Relatively powerful and flexibleRelatively powerful and flexible

Moderately pricedModerately priced


Development ApproachDevelopment Approach

A team approach to development is A team approach to development is generally recommendedgenerally recommended

Alessi and Trollip suggest a four-phase Alessi and Trollip suggest a four-phase expository model involving:expository model involving:– presenting informationpresenting information– guiding the learnerguiding the learner– allowing the learner to practiceallowing the learner to practice– assessing student learningassessing student learning


The EndThe End

computer based instruction: categories, characteristics, and applications in education

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