CAI :
•Definition #1. CAI = Computer Assisted Instruction. This type of instruction uses the
computer as a "teaching machine" that will present individual lessons.
•Definition #2. The use of a computer as a medium for instruction, tutorial, drill and
Practice.
•Definition #2 - The use of a computer as a medium of instruction, for tutorial, drill and
practice, simulation, or games. CAI is used for both initial and remedial training, and typically does not require that a computer be connected to a network or provide links to
learning resources outside of the course
ADVANTAGES OF CAI:-
The term "CAI", Computer Aided Instruction, is used in the broadest sense in this document. CAI will refer to any use of computers that interacts with students in any way in the educational process.
(1) CAI allows students to practice procedures as long as required to achieve defined competencies. This helps level the ground where students bring a wide range of native skills and educational backgrounds to a classroom. Students with a strong desire to learn electronics can succeed even with weak backgrounds when given the right learning tools and a supportive environment.
(2) Immediate feedback provided by CAI saves time and prevents learning the "wrong" concepts. In traditional training, students do substantial amounts of homework. Unfortunately, a student can do a number of problems entirely wrong on a homework assignment. The student would not be aware of his misconceptions until the teacher grades his homework and returns the paper to the student. Now, the student must not only learn the proper procedures but "unlearn" the wrong procedures as well.
(3) With CAI, students can determine their own weaknesses and concentrate efforts on overcoming those weaknesses before moving on more advanced concepts. All too often, students continue work on more advanced concepts while still holding misconceptions about the fundamentals of a topic. This leads to irritation and the feeling that electrical concepts are more complex than they are in reality. How many electronics technology students give up and drop out simply because the training system failed to diagnose misconceptions quickly?
(4) Good CAI materials reward students immediately for correct responses and behaviors. This encourages students to confidently move to more complex concepts. CAI can make learning interesting and exciting. What could be a more boring waste of time than practicing a procedure over and over that has already been mastered? On the other hand, some students are satisfied with only a cursory grasp for important fundamental concepts. This often leads to problems in that the student's understanding of a concept is not sufficient to enable her/him to progress smoothly to the next concept. CAI materials can help such students stay on a task or concept until it is fully mastered.
(5) A small but nevertheless important benefit of good CAI material is on-line immediate evaluation and grading of student work. Very few instructors and professors will miss the hours of mindlessly correcting and scoring student homework. More importantly, this aspect of CAI leaves the instructor more time to work with students on an individual basis.
All aspects being considered, CAI does not necessarily replace teachers, textbooks, classrooms, or laboratories. CAI is another aspect of training that harnesses the computer and makes it a tireless participant in the educational process. Perhaps the greatest benefit of CAI is giving the marginal student that small boost which leads to success.
