What is CAI?
In short, it is a instructional technique using computer technology or digital devices to present instructional materials and assessing the learning that is taking place. Computer assisted instruction, "CAI" instructional modules utilize a number of media such as text, graphics images, sound and video clips as well as interactive web links, to enhance the learning process and experience. CAIs incorporate simulations, problem solving activities, practice drills and tutorials to present the a variety of instructional content. In contrast to Web based instruction "WBI", CAIs do not afford interaction between students and students to teachers, some WBIs courses have addressed this issue of interaction, using synchronous and asynchronous communication technologies.
The CAI tool I used for this assignment Codecademy is clearly a pure CAI. There was no interaction with a teacher, although there was a help function to get in touch with an advisor for help when stuck with a problem, but this function was only for the Codecademy Pro upgrade, which comes at a cost to the user of $19.95 a month.
Overall the tool was very easy to use and delivered everything I had expected it to deliver, when I first started looking at different options of tools. The step by step instructions do fit my learning style perfectly, and I never felt overwhelmed by the exercises and quizzes. I don't think I would have done any better at this particular learning activity using any other tool. The application delivered a well designed course which was flexible and allowed for experimentation.
I am sure the same instructional materials could have bee delivered in many different ways but what matters more, are the appropriate instructional methods chosen to deliver particular content, which contributes to quality learning outcomes. This argument supported by Clark (Clark, 1994), "that instructional methods rather than delivery media determine learning outcomes."
Clark, R. E. (1994). Media will never influence learning. Educational Technology Research and Development, 42, 21-29.
