Lesson 11: Computer as a Tutor

      

The computer is a powerful tool. It can make our work easier, more efficient and perhaps more enjoyable. Computer is one of the products of the creative minds of the inventors and scientists. Technological innovations have brought many tangible products like appliances, gadgets and machines that help man in completing a particular task. These computers were also used in classrooms that help teachers in delivering lessons. It has become his/her assistant in teaching the learners. But we should always remember that computers are not invented to replace the teacher, the teacher still holds and acts the major roles in the educative process which are as information deliverer and learning environment controller. Technology is created for man not man for technology.

                Computer-assisted Instruction (CAI)

            Computers are effective tutor and aid in helping the teacher in the discussion. Computers make the lesson more active, meaningful and interactive. Computer-assisted instruction helps teachers to become effective educator to their students.

           

            In a computer-assisted instruction, teacher must:

·         ensure that students have the needed knowledge and skills for any computer activity.

·         decide the appropriate learning objectives

·         plan the sequential and structural activities to achieve objectives

·         evaluate the students’ achievement by ways of testing the specific expected outcomes.

Student’s roles in CAI:

·         receive information

·         understand instructions for the computer activity

·         retain/keep in mind computer instructions

·         apply the knowledge

Computer’s role in CAI:

·         acts as a sort of tutor

·         provides a learning environment

·         delivers learning instruction

·         reinforces learning through drill and practice

·         provides feedback

Computers have already become a part of the educative process. We cannot deny that computers already have a place in the system maybe if we take away computers from instruction the education will become ineffective and useless. It plays a big part with the success of the discussion. Teachers must not forget to assess, evaluate and give feedbacks to the performance of the students to determine if the computers are useful, if students are doing well with computers and if it has improve the way of teaching.

CAI Integrated with Lessons

           

            CAI is best experience if the teachers would integrate it with the activities and drills in the classrooms. CAI should not stop learners from participating in the classroom instead it must promote learning. Common types of drill and practice programs include vocabulary building, math facts, and basic science and history or geography facts. With these activities, teachers could have an electronic exam where questions are being projected in the computers. It is also very convenient both to the teacher and the students since immediate feedback is given.

           

            In integrating CAI to activities and drills, the following should be followed

1.      Use drill and practice programs for basic skills and knowledge that require automatic response.

2.      Ensure that drill and practice activities conform to the lesson plan

3.      Limit the activity to 20-30 minutes

4.      Use drill and practice to assist students with particular weakness in basic skills

Computer software should be:

1.      Be able to teach new content/information

2.      Provide comprehensive information

3.      Effective used for remediation, reviewing and enrichment

4.      Allow the teacher to have an immediate feedback

5.      Promotes cooperative learning

Simulation Programs

Simulation software materials are materials that constructivist in nature. The simulation soft wares are:

1.      Teaching strategies and rules to real-life problems/situation

2.      Asks students to make decision on models or scenarios

3.      Allows students to manipulate elements of model

Instructional Games

Instructional games generate elements of competition and challenge. It also promotes interactive and meaningful learning

Problem Solving Software

These refer to programs that improve students solving skills and critical thinking. These activities also develop student’s logical, recognition and strategy-making skills.

Multimedia, Encyclopedia and Electronic Books

The multimedia encyclopedia can store database with texts, images, animations, audio and video. Students can access any desired information, search its vast contents, and even download/print relevant portions of the data for their composition and presentation.

          Indeed, computers are of big help both on the teachers and the students. For teachers, computers help them become effective deliverer and giver of knowledge since computers make the teaching and learning more interactive, effective and meaningful. For students, computers motivate students to continue learning because computer-assisted instruction gives direct feedback to the students.

            With regards to the presentation of the topic, it was good because the reporters have developed a new and interesting activity that help us realized and understand what is computer-assisted instruction well. The drill is entitled, “colored game”. The mechanics of the game are, when the color yellow is projected in the screen, students should sit down while if it is blue, students should stand up. It was indeed a very creative and fun activity that develops student’s attention and perceptive ability. The points were also explained well by the reporters and they have elaborated ideas. With their related article, it really support and supply enough evidences that have substantiated the arguments. They also have a nice PowerPoint presentation. Computer-assisted instruction was also done during our EdTEch-1 where our instructor used the monitor to display the questions. It is called the electronic exam. After the exam, immediate results and feedbacks are given by our instructor.

            With the advantages of the computer-assisted instruction, I have realized that it is good to implement this kind of instruction to my future students because it does not only promote learning but it as well motivate, help teachers and make the learning more creative and meaningful. Computer-assisted instruction is also useful in developing students various skills and abilities like logical, creative, critical and problem-solving skills. I have also realized that with CAI, the common activities and drills that teachers usually conduct and implement in the classrooms will come to its new face when integrate with computers. It encourages active participation form the students.

            As a future teacher, computer as a tutor will be of great help for me especially with the instruction and teaching since learners of the 21^st century are technology-oriented ones. The 21^st century learners are more likely to learn and participate if technology is integrated in the learning. The CAI starts the new face of instruction and teaching. It will make the teaching-learning process more active and engaging. With this, it will be easy on the part of the teachers to teach learners with the skills and competence needed for them to become globally competitive individuals.