As this is a discuss topic you are expected to be able to analyse the views of different people or look at the advantages and disadvantages of a particular topic. Most discuss questions require you to do some form of research and so, this presentation will not provide you with all the answers, but with an avenue in which you can explore this topic to a greater depth. In other words... this presentation aims at giving you ‘food for thought’.
Computer based training (CBT) is becoming increasingly popular with different organisations and, indeed, groups of people when it comes to training. There are different levels of complexity when concerning computer based training methods.
An online help site could be considered a CBT method. A user who simply clicks on hyperlinks related to the topic they require help with can be considered to be a CBT. However, this method could be further improved through the use of multimedia and other interactive mediums.
Videos are often used to help get information and help across to people these days. is a popular site which allows people to post up videos of whatever the like...usually random things! If you are in need of some help though, it can be a useful resource!
Here you can see that people have been posting their own video tutorials showing how to use Flash CS4.
Some CBT applications allow the user to interact with a computer simulation. Applications such as Adobe Captivate can record the actions of a user and then be used as a training tool later on.
When used as a training tool, the user can watch the recording first, then the application will ask them to repeat what they saw in the virtual application. Many companies use this type of environment to help acclimatise their employees onto a system. Super markets, such as Waitrose, make use of this type of training.
Log On: › Users can log onto a CBT application using a username and password. Their training session can depend on their ‘level’ and also can be resumed from a previous lesson (saves progress). Feedback (to the trainee): › Some CBT applications can mark themselves and give feedback in a number of ways: Written Video Audio
Feedback (to the tutor): › After trainees have completed the CBT the system can compile results for the tutor. The tutor can sort the results from highest to lowest mark, and can also look at the average score for each question. Pre-assessment: › Some CBT applications will ask a series of questions prior to any testing. This will eliminate any unnecessary questions from the actual test.
Target setting: › Trainees can set themselves learning targets to try and achieve over a period of time. The CBT application can then create a learning programme based on those targets. Assignment setting: › Many schools make use of assignment features on the VLE. Tutors can set assignments via the CBT and trainees can submit their work via the CBT. Some CBT applications will automatically mark the assignments and also inform the tutor of which trainees have not submitted the assignment on time.
We now know what features are available in a CBT application. But in order to answer this topic properly you will need to be able to discuss how CBTs are used by different people and/or look at the advantages and disadvantages of CBT applications.
The text book looks at the advantages and disadvantages of CBTs for both a trainee and tutor. Take a look at the tables on page 135. For both the trainee and the tutor, pick 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage and then use them to help you answer this question… › Discuss the impact that computer based training applications have had in education. Remember, this would be worth 11 marks and is based on the quality of your written answer.
Explain how multimedia can enhance online training. Explain how the tutor could make effective use of the ability to see the average scores for each question that was answered by all of their trainees. Explain the disadvantage to trainees of not having a tutor around when using a CBT.