Lesson 10

The Computer as a Tutor

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)

     The computer can be a tutor in effect relieving teacher of many activities in his personal role as classroom tutor. It should be made clear, however, that the computer cannot totally replace the teacher since the teacher shall continue to play the major roles of information deliverer and learning environment controller. Even with the available computer and CAI software, the teacher must:

•        Insure that students have the needed knowledge and skills for any computer activity
•        Decide the appropriate learning objectives
•        Plan the sequential and structured activities to achieve objectives
•        Evaluate the students’ achievements by ways of tests the specific expected outcomes.

On the other hand, the student in CAI play their own roles as learners as they:

•         Receive information
•        Understand instruction for the computer activity
•        Retain/keep in mind the information and rules for the computer activity
•        Apply the knowledge and rules during the process of computer learning

During the computer activity proper in CAI the computer too plays its roles as it:

•        Act as a sort of tutor (the role traditional played by the teacher)
•         Provides a learning environment
•        Delivers learning instruction
•        Reinforces learning through drill and practice
•        Provides feedback

Simulation Programs

           Simulation Software materials are another kind of software that is constructivist in nature. This simulation software: 

•       Teacher strategies and rules applied to real-life problems/situation
•       Ask students to make decision on models or scenarios
•       Allow students to manipulate elements of a model and get the experience of the effect of their decisions

Instructional Games

            While relating to low level learning objectives (e.g. basic spelling or math skills), instructional computer games add the elements of competition and challenge.

Problem Solving Software

              These are more sophisticated than the drill and practice exercises and allow students to learn and improve on their own problem solving ability. Since problems cannot be solved simply by memorizing facts, the students have to employ higher thinking skills such as logic, recognition, reflection, and strategy-making.

Multimedia Encyclopedia and Electronic Books

            The Multimedia Encyclopedia can score a huge database with text, images, animation, audio and video. Students can access any desired information, search it vast contents and even download/print relevant portions of the data for their composition or presentation. An example is the eyewitness children’s encyclopedia.

           The Electronic Books provide textual information for reading supplemented by other types of multimedia information (sounds, spoken words, pictures, animation). These are useful for learning reading.