This assignment is a review of Computer Assisted Instruction  (CAI).  CAI can be defined as "(b) tutorial instruction that includes new material" (Kulik and Kulik, 1991, p. 79). 

SAIT is implementing Desire2learn (D2L).  With limited time for training, all experienced technology staff have been given access to the Sparks training system.  This is a D2L learning environment to help with all aspects of setup of a course. 

I am targeting creation of content to expedite my current courses' readiness.

Here are my thoughts about this CAI:

• Initial Impression

• Jumping into the lesson

• Final Considerations

• Product of My Learning

There are many forms of CAI and though Sparks may not be considered a true computer assisted instruction it did provide instructional videos, documents and quizzes to work through the learning process without an instructors presence.

I am impressed with my completed course content that I have backed it up and will restore it into my office course content area.  This skill was also learned from further review of the Sparks training centre.

What I learned through Sparks could have easily been diseminated in a classroom setting taking approximately the same amount of time but as Kulik and Kulik (1991) found "Blackwell, Niemiec, and  Walberg (1986), have suggested that computer-based instruction is not only a cost-effective  alternative to traditional instruction but that it is far more cost-effective than such nontechnological innovations as tutoring."(p. 91).

References