5.3 Application of Technology in Instruction – Individual, small group and large group

5.3 Application of Technology in Instruction – Individual, Small Group, and Large Group

Teacher educators play an influential role in the chain of improvement needed to address gaps in vocabulary knowledge and performance for some children. If created in careful accordance to design principles, multimedia can serve as a tool to improve pre-service teacher knowledge in this domain.

COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTIONS
Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) refers to that process wherein a computer with software is used for learning specified tasks.

Types of Computer Assisted Instruction

1. Drill-and-practice
   Drill and practice provide opportunities for students to repeatedly practice the skills that have previously been presented and that further practice is necessary for mastery. This mode is designed to teach basic facts. The student is asked to type in answers to questions, and the computer tells him about the correctness of his response. The pupil is presented with more questions until the material is committed to memory. Control of learning rests with the computer since it initiates and controls the students’ activity. Although drill and practice programs might help students memorize facts and information, they can go beyond this and ask questions which involve the use of procedural knowledge to supply answers and provide reinforcement and feedback.
   Tutorial
   Tutorial activity includes both the presentation of information and its extension into different forms of work, including drill and practice, games, and simulation. The tutorial is used to teach basic concepts or methods. The tutorial type utilizes written explanations, descriptions, questions, problems, and graphic illustrations for teaching concepts much like a tutor. The tutorial mode is very useful when students show varying levels of conceptual understanding and it can provide for individual tutoring needs that may be difficult to satisfy through traditional instructional arrangements. The computer specifies the tasks and on submission of answers by the students, the computer checks and provides feedback. Control of the learning situation rests with the computer.

2. Games
   Game software often creates a contest to achieve the highest score and either beat others or beat the computer.

3. Simulation
   Simulation software can provide an approximation of reality that does not require the expense of real life or its risks. Simulation deals with the representation of an event, system, or equipment. This is an excellent mode which enables students to investigate and experiment with systems and processes which are complex, dangerous, and expensive. It has the unique ability to compress time and produce expensive, delicate, or dangerous systems and equipment. Simulation allows students to investigate the optimum conditions for carrying out a particular process and gain an appreciation of the situation and constraints.

4. Discovery
   The discovery approach provides a large database of information specific to a course or content area and challenges the learner to analyze, compare, infer, and evaluate based on their explorations of the data.

5. Problem Solving
   This approach helps children develop specific problem-solving skills and strategies.

PROGRAMMED INSTRUCTION
“Programmed Instruction is the process of arranging the material to be learned into a series of sequential steps; usually, it moves the student from a familiar background into a complex set of concepts, principles, and understanding” (Smith and Moore, 1962).

Characteristics of Programmed Instruction:

• Small Steps

• Immediate feedback

• Self-pacing

• Students’ responses

• Evaluation

• Reinforcement

Advantages of PI:

• Important role of a guide, counselor, motivator, and organizer.

• Social and emotional problems can be eliminated.

• Learning is interesting.

• Own pace.

• Teaching complex subject matter.

• Useful in certain situations (small isolated schools in the hilly areas).

• Improve the communication.

Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) & Programmed Learning Material provides:

1. Text or multimedia content

2. Multiple-choice questions

3. Problem solving

4. Immediate feedback

5. Notes on incorrect responses

6. Summarizes students' performance

7. Exercises for practice

8. Worksheets and tests