Planning CAI Lessons Dr. Ennis-Cole CECS 5130

Designing Lesson Sequences 1. Fixed Lesson Sequences 2. Avoid Unnecessary Information 3. Review Past Information

Top-Down Programming Problems: Inflexible Finite Procedures Difficulty Maintaining Difficulty Debugging Useless - Start Over

Flowcharting 1. Linearity +Maintain Control +Minimize Complexity - No Individual Differences -Inflexible, Unnecessary

Branching Branching Branching + Instructional vs. Program + Forward + Forward + Backward + Random + Conditional

Branching b 1. Instructional vs. Program As it Pertains to a LessonAs it Pertains to a Lesson Skipping Adjacent InstructionSkipping Adjacent Instruction Avoiding Practice Routines, Taking the TestAvoiding Practice Routines, Taking the Test b 2. Forward Moving to a point Further in the lessonMoving to a point Further in the lesson Lesson or Student ControlLesson or Student Control

Branching b 1. Backward Moving from a Current Point to a Previous Pt.Moving from a Current Point to a Previous Pt. Repetition of Lesson SegmentsRepetition of Lesson Segments Returning to Main Menus, Help Sequences or InstructionsReturning to Main Menus, Help Sequences or Instructions b 2. Random Useful when Sequencing in UnimportantUseful when Sequencing in Unimportant Unfixed Order of Lesson ExecutionUnfixed Order of Lesson Execution

Branching b Absolute vs. Conditional Absolute occurs at fixed points within the lesson, and will occur in all casesAbsolute occurs at fixed points within the lesson, and will occur in all cases Conditional occurs only under prescribed conditionsConditional occurs only under prescribed conditions

Branching b Absolute All learners jump to the same section of a lessonAll learners jump to the same section of a lesson Ex: Return to Controlling Module, Main MenuEx: Return to Controlling Module, Main Menu Has nothing to do with lesson performance or a student’s wishesHas nothing to do with lesson performance or a student’s wishes Fixed - occur at given pointsFixed - occur at given points

Branching b Conditional Executes only under prescribed circumstancesExecutes only under prescribed circumstances Student Request, DifficultyStudent Request, Difficulty Mastery Levels can be built-inMastery Levels can be built-in Permits Lesson ControlPermits Lesson Control

Infinite Loops Programming and Conceptual

Conceptual Loops b Inadequate Planning b More easily observed in constructed response formats dependent on spelling, or rules of grammar b More easily produced in tasks that are difficult for the student to comprehend

Conceptual Loops Conceptual Loops b Error Counters, Conditions for alternative branching b Judge responses appropriately consider issues of case, spelling, multiple responses b Prompt students guide them to structure appropriate responses by the wording of questions

Modes and Designs of CAI Modes and Designs of CAI b Tutorials Present New information, skills, or conceptsPresent New information, skills, or concepts Self-ContainedSelf-Contained Verification and ReinforcementVerification and Reinforcement Well-Defined ObjectivesWell-Defined Objectives Appropriate FeedbackAppropriate Feedback Direct Students, Guide ResponsesDirect Students, Guide Responses Expectations Stated EarlyExpectations Stated Early

Advantages of Tutorials Factual Information, Simple Discriminations, Rules, Applications of Rules, Learners Pace Themselves

Limitations of Tutorials b 1. Design Time b 2. Difficulty Teaching High-Ordered Skills b 3. Duplication of Instruction b 4. Complexity and Practicality

Drill & Practice Advantages b Practice well-defined Skills b Offer Immediate Feedback b Avoid Unchecked Error Responses b Clear Directions b Assume Basic Information was Taught Elsewhere b Minimize Unrelated Narrative and Procedural complexity

Limitations of Drill & Practice b 1. Electronic Flash Cards, Responses only b 2. Process Remains Uncovered b 3. Limited Potential b 4. Additional Student Guidance

Advantages of Simulations b 1. Alternative Teaching Systems b 2. Cause-and-Effect Relationships can be Studied, Thinking, Evaluation b 3. Eliminate Danger, difficulty b 4. Scenarios, High-fidelity images, Believable Circumstances b 5. Emphasis on Processes, Procedures

Disadvantages of Simulations b b Problem Sophistication b b Cost Issues   Lesson Design

Instructional Games b b Advantages: Competition, Develop, Reinforce, and refine aspects of learning Well understood, Provides explicit guidelines and participatory rules Attractive and motivational

Instructional Games b b Disadvantages: Entertainment Value Incongruent Reward Structure for Incorrect Answers Minimal Incidental Learning Excessive Use of Computing Power

The End b “That’s all folks...”