Computer
is one of the greatest inventions of the new generation. It can help us find
easily what we need. It is a tool to program instruction in an interactive way.
Especially in education, it helps the teacher enhance the learning process by
making creative presentation and advance information. Computer can also be a
tutor in such a way that it helps the teacher to aid the problems of the
learners in terms of difficulties of the lesson but it cannot totally replace the
role the teacher because the major role of the teacher is to deliver the
information and the controller of learning environment. But teacher could use
the CAI to integrate the lessons by giving the students a drill and activity to
practice their basic skill and knowledge. Simulation program could also help,
teacher use it a strategy to apply the lesson in real life situation. Another
is the instructional games, problem solving software, multimedia encyclopedia
electronic books.
The
computer is one of the wonders of human ingenuity, even in its original design
in the 1950s to carry out complicated mathematical and logical operations. With
the invention of the microcomputer (now commonly referred to PCs or personal
computers), the PC has become the tool for programmed instruction.
Educators
saw much use of the PC. It has become affordable to small business, industries
and homes. They saw its potential for individualization in learning, especially
as individualized learning is a problem since teachers usually with a class of
forty or more learners. They therefore devised strategies to use the computer
to the break the barriers to individualized instruction.
CAI
computer learning should not stop with the drill and practice activities
of students in effect, CAI work best in reinforcing learning trough repetitive
exercise such that student can practice basic skills or knowledge in various
subject areas. Common types of drill and practice programs include vocabulary
building, math facts, and basic science, and history or geography facts. In
these programs, the computer presents a question/ problem the first and the
student is asked to answer the question/problem. Immediate feedback is given to
the student’s answer. After the number of practice problems and at the end of
the exercise, the students get a summary of his overall performance.
CAI PROGRAMS:
1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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
The
Thinking Things 1 is an example of a problem solving software in which the team
learners must help each other by observing comparing.
4. 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.
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, spelling and word skills. Examples are Just
Grandma and Me animated storybook which offer surprises for the young learner’s
curiosity.
