The Computer as a Tutor

The computer is one of the wonders of human ingenuity. With the invention of the
microcomputer (now also commonly referred to as PCs or personal computers), the PC has
become the tool for programmed instruction.

Computer-assisted Instruction (CAI)

The computer can be a tutor, in effect, relieving the teacher of many activities in his
personal role as classroom teacher.
The computer cannot totally replace the teacher since the teacher shall continue to play
the major roles of information deliverer and learning environment controller.
The teacher must: Ensure that students have the needed knowledge and skills for any
computer activity. The teacher must: Decide the appropriate learning objectives. The teacher
must:
Plan the sequential and structured activities to achieve the objectives.
Evaluate the students achievement by ways that tests specific expected outcomes.
Students in CAI play their own roles as learners, as they: Receive information.
Students in CAI play their own roles as learners, as they: Understand information for the
computer activity
Students in CAI play their own roles as learners, as they: Retain/keep in mind the
information and rules for the computer activity.
Students in CAI play their own roles as learners, as they: Apply the knowledge and rules
during the process of computer learning.
The computer plays its roles as it:
Acts as a sort of tutor (the role traditionally played by the teachers)
Provides a learning environment
Delivers learning instruction
Reinforces learning through drill and practice
Provides feedback
CAI integrated with Lessons
CAI computer learning should not stop with the drill and practice activities of students
CAI works best in reinforcing learning through repetitive exercises such that students can
practice basic skills or knowledge in various subject areas.
In these programs, the computer presents a question/problem first and the student is asked to
answer the question/problem. Immediate feedback is given to the students answer
When and how can teachers integrate drill and practice programs with their lessons?
Use drill and practice programs for basic skills and knowledge that require rapid or automatic
response by students.
When and how can teachers integrate drill and practice programs with their lessons?
Ensure that drill and practice activities conform to the lesson plan/curriculum.
When and how can teachers integrate drill and practice programs with their lessons?
Limit drill and practice to 20-30 minutes to avoid boredom.
When and how can teachers integrate drill and practice programs with their lessons?
Use drill and practice to assist students with particular weakness in basic skills
The tutorial software should be able to:

 Teach new content/information to students

Provide comprehensive information on concepts in addition to practice exercises
Can be effectively used for remediation, reviewing or enrichment
Allow the teacher to introduce follow-up questions to stimulate students learning
Permits group activity for cooperative learning.

SIMULATION PROGRAMS
These are another kind of software that is constructivist in nature. These simulation software:
Teaches strategies and rules applied to real-life problems/situations Asks students to make
decision on models or scenarios.
This simulation software:
Allows students to manipulate elements of a model and get the experience of the effects of
their decisions.
INSTRUCTIONAL GAMES
While relating to low-level learning objectives, instructional computer games add the elements
of competition and challenge.
PROBLEM-SOLVING SOFTWARE
These are more sophisticated than the drill and practice exercises and allow students to learn
and improve on their problem-solving ability. Since problems cannot be solved simply by
memorizing facts, the students have to employ higher thinking skills such as logic, recognition,
reflection, and strategy- making.
MULTIMEDIA ENCYCLOPEDIA and ELECTRONIC BOOKS
MULTIMEDIA ENCYCLOPEDIA can store a huge database with texts, images, animation, 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 or presentation.
CONCLUSION
The computer is a tutor in this new age of learning. It does not replace the teacher, although it
assumes certain roles previously assigned to teachers who now has to take the new role of
facilitator and guide.