Submitted by jim kilkenny (not verified) on February 27, 2008 - 13:39.
I have used online classes and I have used computer-assisted instruction (CAI.) I like CAI. With CAI you have a real teacher and a person with a real teaching license. The computer never gets upset when a student makes the same mistake for the fiftyumph time. The computer reinforces when the student finally gets the right answer. The guy, with the real piece of paper, steps in and helps the student set problems up or translates into peoplese what the computer is saying, but the computer consistently teaches the student in a tutorial manner.
Yes, I enjoy teaching students, and I once taught at an alternative school. I had to teach everything you could imagine. I started with CAI because it lays down foundations. It does it with so much more patients than I have ever shown. After CAI, I could have students work on projects. They had basic understandings that could be built from the obvious to insights. There was some real learning there. Today, I teach at an inner city urban big noise school. I wish we had computer assisted learning. Canned learning that kids could access and use is very uplifting. When students understand the basic operations of math, reading and writing as well as, the basics of science and social studies, they go far. I refuse to be rousted with questions like, “Whose ideas of social studies?” We all need to know longitude, latitude, capitals, countries, the declaration of independence and the like; I don’t subscribe to any of that being a political quagmire.
The point is CAI leads to good learning. If it is used with good teaching, the only winners are the kids. I think the teacher also wins. He or she does not have to scream, rant, or cry over repeated and repeated instructions.
E-tutoring
Submitted by jim kilkenny (not verified) on February 27, 2008 - 13:39.
I have used online classes and I have used computer-assisted instruction (CAI.) I like CAI. With CAI you have a real teacher and a person with a real teaching license. The computer never gets upset when a student makes the same mistake for the fiftyumph time. The computer reinforces when the student finally gets the right answer. The guy, with the real piece of paper, steps in and helps the student set problems up or translates into peoplese what the computer is saying, but the computer consistently teaches the student in a tutorial manner.
Yes, I enjoy teaching students, and I once taught at an alternative school. I had to teach everything you could imagine. I started with CAI because it lays down foundations. It does it with so much more patients than I have ever shown. After CAI, I could have students work on projects. They had basic understandings that could be built from the obvious to insights. There was some real learning there. Today, I teach at an inner city urban big noise school. I wish we had computer assisted learning. Canned learning that kids could access and use is very uplifting. When students understand the basic operations of math, reading and writing as well as, the basics of science and social studies, they go far. I refuse to be rousted with questions like, “Whose ideas of social studies?” We all need to know longitude, latitude, capitals, countries, the declaration of independence and the like; I don’t subscribe to any of that being a political quagmire.
The point is CAI leads to good learning. If it is used with good teaching, the only winners are the kids. I think the teacher also wins. He or she does not have to scream, rant, or cry over repeated and repeated instructions.