An evaluation of presentation methods for CAL (abstract only)
Jane M. Fritz · 1987
Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) has been used as an educational tool for nearly twenty years. Its potential as a valuable supplement or replacement for traditional methods of instruction has been widely acknowledged; the realization of its potential has remained less than complete. CAL has been used with varying degrees of success in many areas of education, including public school education, university courses, distance education, vocational training in college environments, and in-house industrial training. The research described in this presentation focuses on the use of CAL in industrial training. An initial investigation into the use of CAL in industry, where course objectives are usually short term and measurable, shows that many drawbacks exist. It is felt that CAL in industry will not reach its full potential until more effective products are available. At the moment, cost is not the limiting factor so much as mere availability. Work needs to be done on software portability, innovative methods of presentation, alternative methods of presentation for various learning styles, and for individual companies the ability to customize software for their particular needs.