2. Introduction
Introduction
Schools, universities and colleges make use of what is
collectively called learning technology, e-learning or sometimes
educational technology.
Learning technology includes the use of computers, multimedia
materials and networks and communications systems to support
learning. Learning technology covers all aspects of the use of
computers or ICT in teaching and learning, including:
CAI - computer-aided instruction
CAL - computer-aided learning
CBL - computer-based learning
CBT - computer-based training
CMC - computer- mediated communications
CAA - computer-aided assessment.
Many practitioners have great difficulty in defining each of these
terms. For the purpose of this course, we shall group CAL and
CBL together and CAl with CBT.
Record keeping will be treated separately.
3. CAI – Computer Aided
Instruction
Generally, CAl is the same as CBT, although in the USA it appears to have
a different meaning where it can apply to any aspect of education involving
the use of computers.
In the UK and other countries, there are different interpretations of the use
of computers in education.
With CAl, computer software tends to replace the teacher or indeed the
current learning environment. It involves the use of the computer as the
main method of delivering subject knowledge, with little consideration for
other methods of learning.
ln contrast, CAL is considered to be the use of software to support existing
methods of teaching and learning.
A good CAI package will make carrying out this assessment
straightforward. The materials then make it easy for the student to navigate
from page to page and section to section. Use is made of repetition of skills
to reinforce the student's knowledge. There arc usually built -in games and
quizzes to make the whole experience more enjoyable. The software will
also be capable of assessing the student's progress with tests and will keep
a record of the scores achieved in these tests.
4. CAL – Computer Aided
Learning
CAL or CBL are the methods by which the computer and associated
software do not replace a lecture or lesson, but are introduced into the
course as a learning resource in much the same way as a textbook or
television programme.
CAL should be considered to be an integrated approach to teaching where
learning technology is part of the who le approach. The teacher is in total
control of the learning experience, not the computer. It should only be
introduced after assessment of the current teaching methods and it must be
integrated with textbooks, worksheets and other media.
It is not necessarily the use of games or the Internet, where often learning
can be achieved despite the use of ICT, rather than because of it. However,
the Internet is an important component in CAL, allowing students to
investigate ideas and perform research as part of the lesson.
Some aspects of Internet usage could be considered to be CAL, however,
as specific learning programmes are available which the student can log on
to and which replace any teacher input. When used as a resource, with the
teacher still taking responsibility for where the learning will go, it remains
CAL.
5. ICT Devices and Media used in
CAL
ICTDevicesandMedia
Computers
Media Players
Interactive
Whiteboards
Multimedia
projectors
Overhead
projectors (OHP)
Television
6. CAA – Computer-Aided Assessment
As well as schools, universities and colleges, examination boards also make
use of computer-aided assessment.
Computers are being used a lot more to test students.
The type of assessment can be either formative or summative.
Summative assessment is asking questions and recording responses. A total
mark is given and the teacher and student are informed of the scores. No
suggestions for improvement are forthcoming.
Formative assessment is the use of the results of answers to specific questions
to form a judgement on specific progress. The program normally outputs areas
for improvement.
Recently, examination boards in the UK have been using online marking
software. 1l1is is a process whereby candidates' scripts a.re scanned into a
computer system There have been very few problems with the system, which is
proving to be an accurate approach to marking.
Even with manual marking, examination boards often enter candidate marks
through the use of a special optical mark recognition (OMR) form, where the
marks are recorded using a pencil. These forms are then read by a scanner. A
number of boards, however, are moving over to examiners entering marks
online.
7. Record Keeping
Spreadsheets can be used to store test and examination marks,
predicted grades, targets and attendance records of students.
The scores can be plotted in graphs and used to demonstrate
progress, or otherwise. Statistics such as percentage attendance, or
the difference between target grades and actual performance can
be used.
Conditional formatting is a feature that many teachers use to
indicate progress or lack of it. The spreadsheet can be programmed
to format cells as red for students who are scoring much lower than
they should or green if they are performing as expected.
Separate sheets can be used to store in formation about different
classes and these statistics can be used for comparison.
Editor's Notes
Introductory notes.
Objectives for instruction and expected results and/or skills developed from learning.
Objectives for instruction and expected results and/or skills developed from learning.
Relative vocabulary list.
Objectives for instruction and expected results and/or skills developed from learning.