Using Instructional Software and Multimedia for Content- Area Learning Mark Grabe

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-2 Computer-Based Instruction n Commonly described as computer- based instruction (CBI) or computer assisted instruction (CAI) n Fits with role of computer as tutor

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-3 Papert’s Distinction n Instructionism - improve learning by doing a better job of conveying information. Teacher-centered n Constructionism - help students do a better job of finding and generating their own knowledge. Student-centered.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-4 Components of Instruction n Provide information or experiences n Guide effort to understand or perform n Provide opportunities for practice n Assess competence

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-5 Why Consider Components of Instruction? n Which component or components was a CAI activity designed to address? n Are CAI activities misused to address unintended component?

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-6 Software Categories n Tutorial n Simulation n Drill and practice n Game n Exploratory environment

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-7 Tutorial n Present information and guide learning u Technology good at presentation u More difficult to guide or adapt n Individualize instruction u Rate of progress u Content of presentation

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-8 Simulation n Replicate key elements of real world n Student reacts to simulated environment and environment reacts to student

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-9 Uses of Simulation n Most versatile u Activate existing knowledge u Provide new learning experiences u Evaluate understanding

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-10 Fidelity and Transfer n Fidelity - how complete is representation? n Perfect fidelity can limit learning - overwhelm with details n Higher fidelity good for transfer - match greater complexity of real world

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-11 Advantages of Simulations n Make invisible processes visible n Control expenses n Avoid dangerous situations n Adjust speed of processes to make observation practical

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-12 Drill and Practice n Satisfy component of extended practice n Assure mastery and retention n Achieve automaticity - reduce demands of performance on working memory capacity

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-13 Games n Have greater emphasis on competition and entertainment n Educators may want to supplement game experience with related learning activities to promote more thoughtful behavior.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-14 Exploratory Environment n Responsive world to explore n Less constrained than most simulations n More opportunity to pose own problems to solve

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-15 Definition of Multimedia and Hypermedia n Multimedia - information presented in many formats (e.g., text, graphics) n Hypermedia - multimedia offering nonlinear exploration u Learner has greater control of how content is experienced

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-16 Storage Systems n Hypermedia typically requires large capacity u Offer alternative content u Type of content (e.g., video, graphics) requires more space

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-17 Large Capacity Storage Systems n Videodisc n CD-ROM n DVD

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-18 CD-ROM n Compact Disc - Read Only Memory u Read files - e.g., commercial programs n CD-W or CD-RW u Store your own data - W (write once), RW (Rewrite) u Requires access to CD burner n Capacity - less than 1 gigabyte

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-19 Videodisc n Oldest of these formats n Also called laserdisc n Uses analog format - cannot bring data into computer for manipulation

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-20 DVD n Similar to CD-ROM with larger capacity u Minimum 2.4 gigabytes (DVD-RAM - single sided, single layer) u Most likely use - storage of digital video

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-21 More than CAI n Talking books n Multimedia reference material u e.g., Encyclopedia u Advantages F Cost F Multimedia - e.g., video F Search capabilities

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-22 Strengths of Multimedia n Cost effective content n Increase clarity of text-based explanation u Show vs. describe n Improve context for authentic learning u Offer greater complexity n Dual coding theory u Multiple memory codes

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-23 Weaknesses of Hypermedia n Duplication of existing resources adds cost n Students lack skills to use effectively u Some distracted u Unable to make wise decisions about what to examine

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-24 CAI Research n Meta-analyses show modest benefits n Critics complain about quality of research u What gets published u Short term studies u Novelty u Control for time required

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.4-25 When To Use CAI n Prolonged practice necessary n Traditional approach is dull n Need to avoid danger n Difficult to visualize concepts n Great variability in student progress n Replacement for costly approaches