Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI): An Innovative Approach for Individualized Education

This study assessed the impact of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) on learning of Indian students. Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) can prove to be a useful tool to enhance cognitive, emotional, and linguistic and literacy skills in school children. These programmes may never replace the books and the blackboard but this aspect cannot ignored that young children learns better with pictures and sounds; and the proper use of appropriate programme could make a considerable differences in learning of children and understanding. To conduct the study, purposive sampling method was employed. The study was conducted on 60 male students aged between 7–8 years. All 6 sections of class II from the St. Peter's College (Agra district) were selected. Total sample was divided into two categories where 40 students were in experimental group and 20 students in control group, thus the 3 groups were formed and each group had 20 students. The education in control group was through traditional black board and discussion method where as in the in first experimental group exclusive CAI programme was executed and in second experimental group CAI was provided along with classroom teaching. This CAI programme was designed for students of class II on their multiplication chapter of mathematics subject. Two tools which are MAT (Math Ability Test for pre and post-testing) and CAI software designed by the researcher were used to assess the influence of CAI on learning of school going children. While calculating the t-values among all the three groups, during pre-testing non-significant t-values were found that indicates all three groups had no difference in their knowledge before starting the intervention. During post-testing (after implementation of respective education methods) significant difference was found in the mean scores of control group and both the experimental group where CAI with classroom teaching was employed, this indicates students learned better by CAI with classroom teaching. This intervention programme revealed that CAI along with classroom teaching is the better method of instructing children as compared to conventional method because of its individualized, self-pacing and interactive nature. Therefore, this can be among one of the strategies to enhance learning of school going children.