Computer-Assisted Instruction

Using CAI to Keep Students Engaged

CAI can be used to engage students during times that might otherwise be downtime. For most classrooms, downtime more often than not equals a host of undesired disruptive behaviors. However, when using CAI for this purpose, there are several things a teacher must consider. First, skills that require only one response, also called discrete skills, have the most research to support their effectiveness. For example, discrete skills such as identifying vocabulary words, making a single mathematical computation (e.g., 4 × 5 =), and finding points on a map are well matched for CAI. Since these skills require only one response, a student can move through the program at a quick pace, which usually holds the student’s attention. Skills requiring multiple steps (i.e., chained skills) for skill completion will require CAI programs that will allow a teacher to break the larger skill into smaller steps that require only one response at a time.

Second, most effective CAI programs provide immediate feedback for the student based on the student’s response. For example, when a student gives a correct answer, the program provides some kind of reinforcing consequence such as an image of a star or thumbs up. This reinforcing consequence could also include audio, for example, a round of applause or a cheering crowd. Similarly, when the student makes an incorrect response, the program provides a redirecting prompt such as the words try again.

When students are using the CAI program, the teacher may be engaged with other students and may not be in close enough proximity to provide feedback necessary to ensure that the CAI students are learning the targeted skills and not just moving rapidly from one problem to the next. However, successful CAI programs have addressed this issue by programing hyperlinks into the CAI programs so that students cannot progress through the program unless they choose correct responses. And if students make an incorrect answer, these hyperlinks can also provide a brief tutorial. For example, if a student is prompted with the equation 4 × 5 = ? and the student chooses 25, a hyperlink can be easily programed to lead the student to solve the problem by counting four sets of five objects on the computer screen.

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