Computer-Managed
Instruction
Prepared by
SABARISH-P
M.Sc., M.Ed.,NET
Lecturer in Physical Science, Arafa Institute for Teacher Education
Attur, Thrissur.
The
term computer managed instruction CMI simply stands for the instruction managed
with the help of computer technology. In CMI the computer gathers, stores, and
manages information to guide students through individualised learning
experience. It directly calls for the services and applications of computers
and applications of computers in the field of instruction.The information on a
student’s progress in working with the computerised program, namely his
performance on every test item, keeping track of his mistakes and strengths and
providing a valuable feedback to the teacher etc. can all be managed
effectively by the computer. Such a system which maintains this kind of book
keeping along with the instructional programme is called as CMI.CAI is more
effective only when it is linked to CAI. It helps to assess the learners
present level of knowledge, weaknesses or gaps in his learning and remedial
action possible.
DEFINITION
BURKE(1982):“CMI
is the systematic control of instruction by computer. It is characterised by
testing ,diagnostic learning, prescription and through record keeping”
LEIB(1982):“CMI
includes all applications of the computer aid to the instructor in
instructional management without actually doing the teaching”
However
,in the language of computer technology, computer managed instruction may be
defined as a category of computer programme that may be used by educators and
instructors to organize and manage data related to instruction for attaining
the stipulated instructional objectives in a most effective way.Four areas of
computer management support to teachers are,
a.
Constructing, scoring, and analysing
tests.
b.
Keeping records of student performance
and progress through courses.
c.
Providing guidance to students and
advising them on the choice of next course module.
d.
Reporting on the performance and
progress of students to individual students,tutors and educational
administrators of the institutions.
In
CMI, on the basis of initial interaction with the student, the computer
suggests the type of models of instruction for him. The computer will note down
the attainment as well as draw backs of the learner in order to construct his profile.
This profile is used to plan the learning unit for the student, whether it should
be modified, enriched or a remedial module should be added. Student’s
achievement is measured in relation to criterion attainment with reference to
the syllabus of the module and assessed in relation to the course requirement.
Following the computers decision, there could be discussion with the student
and teacher and the instruction of the student is so managed that efficient
personalised learning takes place.
As
said in the above definition, computers are able to perform the task of
managing instructions with the help of a category of suitable software
programme specifically designed for this purpose. CMI analyses the relationship
between various factors pertaining to a pupil and suggests activities
appropriate to individual students. Some of the functions performed with the
help of such developed soft wares related to the organization and management of
instructions are described below.
1.Diagnosis
of entry behaviour of learners
Computer
programmes help in the early diagnosis of the strengths and weakness of the
learners in terms of their previous knowledge and experiences related to a
particular knowledge and skill area, their interests, attitudes and aptitudes,
the needs and motives as well as other personality traits for determining their
potentiality for going ahead in the learning of a particular instructional
course or achieving a set of instructional objectives.
2.Setting
of instructional objectives
Computer
soft wares are available that can help in analysing test data and other data base
information about the characteristics of the learners in relation to the needs
and purpose served by a particular type of instruction at one or the other
stages of school,college or public education.it will help in formulating the
goals and objectives for a particular coarse or piece of instruction.
3.Generating
individualized instructional plans
Depending
upon the need, characteristics, nature, and individuality of the learners,
computer software are able to generate and organize individualized
instructional plans for countless learners at one or the other times-average,
gifted, slow, disabled.
4.Generating
instructional materials and learning experiences
Suiting
to the individualized instructional plans and strategies computer software can
generate appropriate instructional material and opportunities of interactive
learning experiences to the learners of varying need, interests , and abilities.
A huge data bank of all types of information and instructional material is
easily available through well prepared software packages, websites, online
conferencing, networking etc. The material generated and developed for
instructional purposes may be used on a computer based system or in other forms
of instructions . eg. Programmed instruction.
5.Availability of instructional material
into curricular units
For
the proper organization and management of the instructions, an inventory of the
instructional resources available to the learners may be stored in the
computer’s data bank. The total resources may be divided into properly required
units having clearly specified set of objectives. There shall be clear
directions available for telling the learner s what to do for achieving the
stipulated objectives.it may asks them to read a book, work-off self-administered
paper and pencil exercises , conduct experiment with a science kit, attend
group instruction or see a film , and so on.
6.Monitoring
of progress
The
computer managed instruction proves very effective in monitoring the progress
of each and every individual learner in a quite satisfactory way. What one has done,
is doing or will be doing in future can be properly monitored with the help of
the great capacity of computers in keeping track of the countless learners in
the progress of their instructional outputs. They are able to register the low
achievement of learners, detect the deficiencies in learning along with the possible
causes and provide suggestions for overcoming the learning difficulties.
7.Providing
remedial instructions
Computer
software can very well manage any progress related to remedial instructions to
the needy learners. On the basis of the learning difficulties diagnosed and the
probable causes detected, these softwares now can suggest all the possible remedies
helpful in the planning and organization of instructions.
8.
Management of information and record keeping
Computer
software may help in a big way for the collection, storage, classification, and
dissemination of information through a well organised system of record keeping
and its maintenance. Storage of information and record keeping are very much
essential for the proper organization and management of instructions. The
teachers and the learners may get a big help for their teaching and learning
from the storehouses of such information data related to their respective
field. All types of information and data related to the interests , abilities ,
educational and environmental backgrounds of the learners belonging to their
past and present can be very well available for the students in their
instructional outputs and overall welfare. Their educational progress can be very
well available for the students in their instructional output and overall
welfare. Their educational progress can be very well monitored and maintained
through the help of a well maintained data record of all the individual
learners which may prove quite helpful in maintaining an essential link between
the classroom instructions and its administrative management.
9.Organization
of testing and evaluation programmers
Computer
software may provide valuable services in the task of managing and organising
testing and evaluation programmes related to classroom instructions and
educational progress of students in a variety of ways. They are helpful in
assessing the study behaviour of the students for getting them admitted to a
course of academic or professional study. Later on, day-to-day, periodic or end
evaluation are all possible through the well framed unit or course tests and
other evaluation techniques available with the suitable software.
10.Generating all types of reports
Computer software helps the
processes and outputs of the instructional programmes by generating all
progress and information reports related to the tasks of instruction. If you
need the report related to the entry behaviour of pupils, it is available on
the computer’s hard disc or files maintained for the purpose. You may have a
printed copy of the same for planning the individualised instruction for your
students. The progress reports can send to parents and also it can be used for
the removal of their learning difficulties.
