Components of Computer-Aided Instruction

Summary of each component
Internet Resources for Education
The New Frontier
The Multimedia classroom

Recent advances in computer technology provide educators with unique opportunities to fundamentally shape education of the future. If used intelligently, the new computer technology will usher in revolutionary changes in education—the way we teach and learn—at all levels: kindergarten to high school, and university to life-long learning. The emergent components of computer-aided education (CAE) including multimedia presentations, interactive digital books, and the internet, are often developed separately to be used as individual approaches in CAE without a cohesive and comprehensive strategy. The key to effective CAE in the future lies in an integration of these three technologies to form a unified approach to education. An integrated approach will give students of ecology and science a comprehensive learning environment that includes in-class, independent, and extended learning. I have developed extensive computer-aided, multimedia, instructional modules to teach my courses in introductory general ecology physiological plant ecology, and restoration ecology. The use of computer-aided education, including interactive multimedia lessons and modules for independent learning, provides students with a enhanced in-class lectures and the opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom. Each course has an companion course on internet from which students can access course materials and information at their convenience. Further enhancements to the courses on internet will soon extend the student’s opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.



Integrated Computer-Aided Instruction


In-class Learning: Computer-Aided Instruction
Independent Learning: Interactive digital Books
Extended Learning: Courses on Internet
Internet Resources for Education