Lesson 10

The Computer as a Tutor

The computer can be a tutor in effect relieving the teacher of activities that are cumbersome. However the computer cannot replace the teacher totally. Even with the available computer and CAI software, the teacher must: Insure that the students have the needed knowledge and skills

for any computer activity.Decide the appropriate learning objectives.Plan the sequential and structured activities to achieve

objectivesEvaluate the students’ achievements by ways of tests the

specific expected outcomes.

Computer Assisted

Instruction

On the other hand, students in CAI play their own roles as learners as they:Receive informationUnderstand instructions for the computer activityRetain or keep in mind the information and rules for

the computer activityApply the knowledge and rules during the process of

learning

During the computer activity proper in CAI the computer, too, plays its role as it:Acts as a sort of tutorProvides a learning environmentDelivers learning instructionReinforces learning through drill and experienceProvides feedback

It is a widely accepted fact that the computer has succeeded in providing an individualized learning environment

Computers allow students to learn at their own pace, motivate learning via challenging virtual learning environment, assist student through information needed during the learning process, evaluate student responses through immediate feedback and give total score to evaluate the student’s total learning.

CAI works best by reinforcing learning through repetitive exercises.

It acts as a second teacher inside the classroom by taking roles like being a tutor.

They are not the end of all learning since they still must adhere to established curriculum

CAI Integrated with Lessons

Questions:

When and how can teachers integrate drill and practice

programs with their lessons?

Some suggestions in integrating drills and questions.Use drill and practice programs for basic skills and knowledge

that require rapid or automatic response by students (multiplication table, letter and word recognition, identification of geometric shapes, etc.)

Ensure that drill and practice activities conform to the lesson plan/curriculum

Limit drill and practice to 20-30 mins to avoid boredom.Use drill and practice to assist students with a particular

weakness in basic skill.

In using a tutorial software it should:Be able to teach new content/new information to students.Provide comprehensive information on concepts in addition to

practice exercises.Be effectively used for remediation process, reviewing, or

enrichment.Allow the teacher to introduce follow-up questions to stimulate

student’s learningPermit group activity for cooperative learning.

These are programs that are constructivist in nature.

Decision making is tested.Teaches strategies and rules

applied to real-life problems and situations.

Asks students to manipulate models or scenarios.

Allows students to manipulate elements of a model and get the experience of the effects of their decisions.

Simulation Programs