Emerging Trends in Educational Technology

Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI)

E – Learning Resources

Smart Classroom

Tools of ICT in Teaching- Learning Process

a) MOOC
b) ZOOM
c) Google Classroom
d) LMS ( Learning Management System)

Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI)

Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) is the instructional use of a computer to present

training methods including simulations, games and tutorials. It refers to instruction or
remediation presented on a computer. Many educational computer programs are available
online and from computer stores and textbook companies. They enhance teacher instruction
in several ways.

Bhatt and Sharma (1992) defined that “CAI is an interaction between a students, a
computer controlled display and a response entry device for the purpose of achieving
educational outcomes”.

Hilgard and Bower (1977) “Computer assisted instruction has now taken as so many
dimensions that it can no longer be considered as a simple derivative of the teaching machine
or the kind programmed learning that skinner introduced”.

Computer programs are interactive and can illustrate a concept through attractive
animation, sound, and demonstration. They allow students to progress at their own pace and
work individually or problem solve in a group. Computers provide immediate feedback,
letting students know whether their answer is correct. If the answer is not correct, the
program shows students how to correctly answer the question. Computers offer a different
type of activity and a change of pace from teacher-led or group instruction. Examples of CAI
applications include guided drill and practice exercises, computer visualization of complex
objects, and computer-facilitated communication between students and teachers.
 Computer-assisted instruction improves instruction for students with disabilities
because students receive immediate feedback and do not continue to practice the wrong
skills. Computers capture the students' attention because the programs are interactive and
engage the students' spirit of competitiveness to increase their scores. Also, computer-assisted
instruction moves at the students' pace and usually does not move ahead until they have
mastered the skill. Programs provide differentiated lessons to challenge students who are at
risk, average, or gifted.

CAI offers an interactive presentation of materials through the use of graphics, text, video and
audio enhancements. Often used as a tool to facilitate the training experience, it can enhance the
user experience and increase engagement. It refers to instruction or remediation presented on a
computer. These tools improve instructional qualities. CAI's were also known as CBTs
(Computer based training) when they were used to "train" individuals for vocations. CAI
programmes have the following features:

1. Interactive and can illustrate a concept through attractive animation, sound, and
demonstration.
2. Allow students to progress at their own pace and work individually or problem solve
in a group.
3. Provide immediate feedback, letting students know whether their answer is correct. If
the answer is not correct, the programme shows students how to correctly answer the
question.
4. Offer a different type of activity and a change of pace from teacher-led or group
instruction.
5. Improve instruction for students with disabilities because students receive immediate
feedback and do not continue to practise the wrong skills.
6. Capture the students' attention because the programmes are interactive and engage the
students' spirit of competitiveness to increase their scores.
7. Move at the students' own pace and usually do not move ahead until they have
mastered the skill.
8. Provide differentiated lessons to challenge students who are at risk, average or gifted.
Characteristics of CAI

1. In CAI there are two way interactions between an individual student and the computer
just as happens in the tutorial system between the teacher and an individual student.
2. The computer is able to display the instructional material to the individual student.
3. The individual student takes benefit of the displayed material and responds to it.
These responses are attended by the computer for deciding the future course of
instruction displayed to the learner.
4. The interaction between the individual learner and the computer device helps n the
realization of the set instructional objectives.

Advantage of CAI

1. The immediate feedback provided by interactive terminals keeps students interacting

and eager to keep trying.
2. Intelligent students are obliged to participate actively. They often remain passive in
the learning programme.
3. The computer will wait patiently for response and will not express annoyance with
wrong response.
4. The graphic facility is a powerful aid in enhancing intuition, especially in giving
insight into mathematical formulae.
5. Interactive graphic makes it possible to sample many more illustration than could
easily be shown in textbook.
6. Mathematical calculation can be done as readily for realistic examples as for
artificially simple case that can be solved analytically.
7. Large volume of data can be handled with accuracy and without toil.
8. The novel technique provides enrichment of a course through added variety

Disadvantage of CAI

1. The instruction of CAI in class room proves quite expensive and uneconomical in
terms of educational returns.
2. Computer, as an electronic device, may invite significant hazards to children. There is
a potential danger for the children either to damage the machine or to be damage by it.
 3. Much of the difficulty is felt on account of unavailability or usability of the
educational software. Either we don’t get any programme for the Particular type of
instruction and teaching of a topic.
4. Serving of the hardware also poses a serious problem. If one or the other reason the
machine is failed, the expertise to operate it again or do repair work is not easily
available. Consequently, the regular instructional work on self-study of the students
may receive a major setback.
5. During long hours, this exercise may prove quite boring, mechanical and tiresome.
6. CAI cannot be accommodated properly in the setup of our schools comprising set
time table schedules, uniform curricula and group oriented instruction and
examination system.
7. The major limitations of CAI lies in the fact that computers are machines and no
machine can ever match the human beings for effective interaction with the human
beings. The emotional touch, sympathy as well as understanding established in
teacher-pupil interaction is absent in CAI.
8. CAI fails to develop language competency.

Smart Classroom

Meaning: A smart classroom is an EdTech-upgraded classroom that uses audio,

video, animations, pictures, and other multimedia to improve teaching and learning for both
teachers and students. This raises the level of involvement and results in children performing
better. A smart classroom is a learning environment that uses technology to improve digital
teaching and learning. Digital displays, tabs, whiteboards, assistive listening devices, and
other audio/visual elements are integrated into the classroom to make lectures simpler, more
interesting, and more interactive.

The smart classes is a modernized method of education in Indian education scenario

which provides quality education to students by helping them in better concept formation,
concept elaboration, improvement in reading skills and academic achievement. A key part of
classes in the part were the lectures, this is not the case now. Interactive learning is proved to
help students better. Projectors and computers are used to exchange information. Interactive
touch screens help the students become immersed.

The traditional approach of lecture and note taking has lost its effectiveness as the
modern day around education grows. In efforts to grow academically it must be considered
that differentiated modalities of teaching and learning are necessary to implement deeper
levels of growth and conceptual development. ICT has turned from being a technology of
communication and information to a curriculum creation and delivery system for teachers and
learners.

Types/Features of Smart Classroom

1. The set up: These are the most common ones used in schools. It
involves projectors, a computer, and a screen. The system will be preloaded
with lessons that utilize visual and auditory learning. Animations and Videos
are the most common mediums used to convey information. The lessons can
be easily updated according to changes in the curriculum.
2. Personal device: Students can own gadgets like tablets and laptops in addition
to the standard configuration. The simple digital slate has been supplanted by
personal tablets because manufacturing costs are so low today. The same
device can be used by students to take notes, receive materials, and finish
homework and assessments. This helps the environment by saving paper as
well.
3. Virtual Reality: By using a VR headset, students can enter a new world or a
sandbox. Students can conduct experiments, particularly physical ones, in a
sandbox to understand theories and stimulate the brain
The contents of the VR can also be controlled by the teacher so that
everyone experiences the same. From a DNA molecule to the French
revolution can be shown in great detail.
Augmented Reality is used to simulate objects in the real world. This
can include holograms and AR glasses. The technology is in the cradle and is
rapidly advancing.
4. Student Tracking Management: All the aspects of the school are digitized
here. From attendance marking to school bus tracking are in the cloud. This
ensures more transparency of information. The students’ performance can also
be assessed in real time.
5. Interactive Boards: The old dusty chalkboards are replaced with Smart boards.
Now teachers can show visuals, videos etc in the new blackboard. The
students can also interact with it with their personal tablets. New tools enable
you to present ideas better.
 6. Student Devices; This can help you if you are studying remotely. Services like
Google Jam board can enable multiple people to collaborate in the same
whiteboard from separate devices. E-books, pdf and other study material can
be sent to the device eliminating the need for books.

Importance of Smart Classes

E-learning and smart classroom aims at developing the students learning ability as the
entire chapters become more interesting to study and hence improve the results of the
students. The smart classrooms are the new generation educational product which helps
students gain more marks and is a step to the future of education. E-learning is a
revolutionary product in the field of education.

The Smart classroom learning approach provides learners of all ages and walks of life
with a nine-step framework and a host of Smart Thinking Tools that motivate higher levels of
understanding. Through the process learners activate and build background knowledge,
process information, transform their learning into a product that shows what they know, and
reflect on their learning. Structured talk and assessment as and for learning are carefully
woven into the process to build a thoughtful context for learning and to advance the thinking
of all learners.

A smart classroom can be considered as a virtual classroom. A Smart Classroom

duplicates the capabilities found in a real classroom.

Characteristics of Smart Classrooms:

1. Adaptive learning: Any classroom will always have students of different types of
learning abilities in it which often makes it difficult for teachers to make sure that all
of them understand the concepts. The modern approach of adaptive learning gives
students the freedom to learn at their own pace and in the way they are most
comfortable with.

2. Collaborative learning: Learning through collaboration is one of the most effective

forms of learning. Teaching and learning in isolation are very restrictive and hinder
 progress. Learning in groups enhances the scope of learning and develops critical
thinking. Collaborative learning activities include collaborative writing, group
projects, joint problem solving, debates and more.

3. Computing devices: Computers are readily available in modern classrooms, since

they are essential tools for 21st century students and replace the utilities of pen and
paper. They give teachers the opportunity to enhance their lessons and assist them.

4. Mutual respect: Teachers and students should always have respect for each other. As
now the role of teachers is no longer to be the sage on the stage, students should not
forget their value as they will always receive guidance from them. Also, teachers
should encourage students to speak with confidence and value their opinions.

5. Performance-based assessments: Regular performance-based assessments are

carried out by teachers through various methods which are not restricted to tests.
These can be by conducting quizzes and polls.

6. Student-centric: In Smart classrooms, teachers play the role of facilitators. They help
students think critically. Students discover and master new concepts. Student-centric
classroom environments put students’ interests first and are focused on each student’s
needs, abilities and learning styles.

7. Students take responsibility of their learning: As students are encouraged to

actively participate in their own learning, they become responsible for their learning.

8. Students understand and follow the rules and procedures: The learning
environment is carefully planned and well-organized. Class rules, procedures, and
notices of upcoming activities are posted in convenient places to help students stay on
track. Students are constantly encouraged to remind them of their goals and
responsibilities.

9. There is innovative working system for teachers and in school management:

 An attractive classroom environment is needed for such type smart and innovative
activities. Smart school class will be more attractive, innovative, student friendly,
healthy and more interesting class

10. There are fully multimedia enabled audio-visual classrooms: Internet, projector
and other multimedia devices are the main parts of smart classrooms. Smart class is a
class of modern age. There are fully multimedia enabled audio-visual classrooms in a
smart classroom. It will be quite different than traditional class. In a smart classroom
the teacher works as a facilitator in learning.

11. The upgraded kind of education:

This upgraded kind of education is very interesting for children. It is an innovative
idea to change our boring system into a smart and innovative system of teaching-
learning activities. It is a more fascinating model in the world. In a smart school
teachers have to develop the skill of learning from experiences.

Advantages of Smart Classroom

1. Access to the vast world of online information at any time: For students, the internet
offers a goldmine of essential knowledge. A smart class may maximise the potential
of the best online resources for teaching and learning by storing volumes of data that
correlate to every topic under the sun.

2. Digital tools help students understand the topic better: Gone are the days of traditional
black-board education. Now is the age of smart classes which allow the faculty to
impart education using PowerPoint presentations, word documents, audio sessions,
and video screenings and also through images.

3. It helps the absentees: Students of smart classes can access lectures at any time since
all of them are recorded on digital devices. They can simply download the recorded
lectures which are uploaded on the internet by keying in the user ID and password and
access the study material which was discussed.
4. Interactive environment favours better learning: The use of digital tools of instruction
brings in an interactive environment to learning. It is in a smart class where better
transparency is established between the faculty and students. Since learning is linked
to photos, maps, images, and animated videos student will be able to establish a
strong connection with the faculty. They will be enthused to share their thoughts
freely in class, expressing them through writings and drawings.

5. “Go Green” with Smart Classes: Smart classes are a perfect solution to the
environmental hazards that are posed by the conventional methodology of education.
“Go Green” zone can be create while learning the subjects without the use of paper
and pen. Students don’t need to rely on printouts and photocopiers which lead to the
formation of a carbon footprint. This way, a smart class can indeed become an
intelligent and workable way to pave way for a greener environment.