Coordination of Instruction and Reinforcement as Enhancers of the Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Instruction

Abstract

Three conditions of administration of drill-and-practice computer-assisted instruction were studied: CAI lessons coordinated with formal classroom instruction, CAI with reinforcement for good performance, and CAI alone. Seventy-seven grade 4 to 8 remedial students studied reading; 124 studied math. All three groups gained in achievement. In reading, the reinforcement condition was most effective, with no significant difference between CAI with coordinated instruction and CAI alone. In math, CAI with coordinated instruction was most effective, with no significant difference between CAI with reinforcement and CAI alone. It was concluded that type of administration affects CAI effectiveness, that motivation may strongly affect achievement in reading, and that formal instruction combined with CAI is essential for conceptual understanding in mathematics.