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Computers to Enhance Learning Outside the Classroom
Computers and software are powerful tools that can facilitate student learning and allow students to prioritize their own unique learning experiences. Many existing software programs are available for students to use for mathematical computations, statistical analyses, graphic design, publications, portfolios, and writing projects. Interactive programs can engage students in their own learning. Tutorials and simulations allow individual students to learn new material at their own pace. Students can benefit from browsing and searching software in a non-linear framework to identify content areas in which they might need further instruction. These programs can be made available online to students. As the Internet continues to grow, students have increasing access to timely information. These resources can be adapted to the various needs of the students while stimulating them to participate actively in their education. Sometimes introverted students or students who prefer to think for a while before responding to a question might find that contributing to an electronic mail dialogue is easier than in-class discussion. Learning outside the classroom will play an even more important role than ever before as the capabilities of computer technology are incorporated into existing course formats.
Computers can also be used to administer tests, either for student self-assessment or as part of a course grade. Multiple-choice tests are particularly suitable for computers. Students can find out their scores immediately upon completion. Tests can be written that allow the student to know which questions were correctly answered and which were incorrectly answered. Several different testing formats are available. One format allows students to answer questions only in a set sequential order, while another format allows students to return to questions that they did not answer the first time through the test. There are also specialized test-bank software programs that walk the instructor through test design by the selection of the number of questions desired per category. Tests with increasing levels of difficulty can be designed to allow high performing students a shortened test version based on their answering the increasingly more difficult questions correctly. Using a computer gives the instructor not only immediate scoring, but also an item analysis that is tedious work when done manually. Additionally, computer-administered testing minimizes cheating by students.
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