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License: Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed). Attribution: University of Oklahoma Libraries Virtual Reality by OULibraries
Instructional designers are challenged almost daily to ensure that the skills taught using computer based resources transfer effectively into the real world. In order to accomplish this during the design phase, the instructional designer must always refer back to the learning outcomes as the basis of what learners actually need to master as their guide in selecting or designing appropriate interactive computer based learning activities.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of drill and practice programs, tutorials, simulations, educational games, intelligent tutoring systems, and virtual reality applications.
- Develop and select instructional materials.
Computer-based Resources
The following computer-based resources for learning (drill and practice, tutorials, simulations, educational games, intelligent tutoring systems, and virtual reality) are sometimes needed to support learners when more common online strategies, described in other parts of this book, will not suffice. Some drill and practice activities can be effectively provided within learning management systems. However, depending on the learning domain, thinking level required, complexity of the problem presentation, and feedback that needs to be provided, some drill and practice activities will need to be created on tools such as Macromedia Flash. In general, all of the other resources described below need to be created on software that is not found within learning management system.
Drill and Practice Programs
Drill and practice is a common computer-based training strategy that provides repeated activity (drill) and opportunities (practice) to try skills or concepts learned elsewhere. The aim is often to achieve mastery.
Drill and practice:
- Usually takes place after the content has been taught.
- Does not teach new material.
- Can, and often should, include extensive diagnostic feedback.
- Can be used for many skills such as learning language, learning factual information, and solving problems in mathematics, physics, chemistry, electricity, nursing, etc.
- Should usually have a varied difficulty level that is based on the student’s ability in order to enhance learning.
- Can be boring.
- You can counter boredom with competition, using visuals, providing variety, stating the progress made, or giving a reward if a target is met.
Tutorials
Tutorials are programs in which the computer imitates a human tutor. In tutorials, information or concepts are presented, questions are asked, responses are judged, and feedback is provided.
Tutorials:
- Should include frequent questions and/or other activities that require the learner to think, as well as provide detailed feed back.
- Can be used for many low- and high-level skills.
- Can include drill and practice.
- Can include solving problems.
- Often include branching to remediatio