SEMINAR

EDU: 705

TOPIC:
TECHNIQUES
OF
TEACHING- COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION
OR
CAI,
WORKSHOP,
SYMPOSIUM,
LEARNING, BUZZ SESSION.

MASTERY

SUBMITTED TO
BY
DR.MARY SHEBA JOSE
MATHEW

SUBMITTED
MERLIN

1.COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION OR CAI

The most exciting innovation in Educational Technology. It is a teaching process in which a computer is used
to enhance the education of an individual.
There are two modes of CAI,

Computer Based Instructional Stimulation or CBIS.

Computer Managed Instruction or CMI.

COMPUER BASED INSTRUCTIONAL STIMULATION OR CBIS

It is the application of computers for instruction because it provides realistic substitute for real life
experiences. It creates model situation which imitates some aspects of reality and the stimulation model may
be static or dynamic in which conditions are arranged as a result of feedback of pupils actions and responses.
COMPUTER MANAGED INSTRUCTION OR CMI
In this role of computer is mainly record keeping. And it doesn't provide any direct instruction to the learner.
It uses the learners present level of knowledge, weakness or gaps in his learning and remedial action possible.
CHARACTERISTICS

CAI has the capacity to initiate flexible interactions with the students in number of ways.
The computer is able to record and state the responses of all the students.
It can decide what information to be given to the students next.
Computer can also record the time taken to answer the questions.
It can also record the degree of correctness of the students response.
CAI uses different kinds of instructions together. E.g.: programmed instruction, audio visual aids,
learning theory, etc.
ADVANTAGES

Save time.
Helps to determine activities in the learning situations.
Information stored in computer is made available to the learner more rapidly than any other media.
Provides immediate feedback.
Motivates learners
Can present concepts or processes dynamically and using multiple forms of representation.
Can maintain records of student performance.

2. WORKSHOP
The term workshop has been borrowed from engineering. In a workshop people engage in some productive
tasks and create something tangible. In educational workshop products may be some equipments, instructional
materials, an action plans, etc.
ORGANISATION OF WORKSHOP
The conduct of a workshop involves following steps,

STAGE: 1- Presentation of theme.

In this stage the resource person presents theme of the workshop to the participants. Necessary
information will be communicated in advance to enable the participants to attend the workshop well
equipped.
STAGE: 2 practical session
After general orientation the participants are exposed to the actual practical work. Here the total
group is divided into sub groups and specific productive task are assigned. Within the group each
participants are expected to work individually.
STAGE: 3- discussion session
At this stage all the groups meet at a single place and present the products they could materialise.
The resource person can give suggestions for improvement.
STAGE: 4 concluding or wind-up session
Based on the discussions and suggestions during stage 3, the participants can modify their products.
Then final outputs are submitted to the concerned authorities.

ADVANTAGES

Realise cognitive and psychomotor objectives.

Develops practical and realistic knowledge about topic.
Develops a sense of co-operation and group work.
Develops creativity among students.
Eliminates the fear to face the problems.
Results in the production of tangible material that could be used by others.
DISADVANTAGES

Lack of motivation on the part of the teacher concerned may adversely affect the goal behind
the workshop.
Lack of availability of resource persons and materials may create difficulty in conducting a
workshop.
Time consuming.
Special room and facilities are required for practical work.

5. BUZZ SESSION
In buzz session students are divided into small groups for a specific period of time and they are made
to discuss about a given topic or issue. Reports on the results of discussions of various sessions are
presented to the entire class and a thorough discussion is stimulated. This technique is employed in
the course of a lecture or some other similar programme. The students become motivational and raise
their arguments regarding a particular issue.
STEPS INVOLVED IN BUZZ SESSION
1. Division of the entire class into sub groups i.e., (6-7 students).
2. A leader and a reporter are selected from the sub groups.
3. Group members discuss about the topic given.
4. After discussion all the group members are asked to reassemble.
5. The reporter of each group presents a summary of the reactions of the group members.
6. Then the unsolved problems are provided for further discussions.
7. Finally the general group is asked to arrive at a conclusion of the unsolved problem.
ADVANTAGES
1. Develops critical thinking among the students
2. Effective way to find out solution to the problems.
3. Discussions always lead to the in-depth knowledge.
4. Tasks will help to develop positive attitude, tolerance, group cohesion, etc.
DISADVANTAGES

1. Lack of proper knowledge lead to mere waste of time.

2. Teacher should have proper control over groups.
3. It is not applicable for lower classes.

3. SYMPOSIUM
It is a kind of discussion in which a number of speakers talk on the same topic, emphasising different
aspects. Selected speaker presents prepared speeches. Generally the chairman and the speakers
discuss the various aspects of a theme in advance and allot one aspect to each so that each speaker
limits his/her presentation to assigned aspects. The chairman co-ordinates the presentations. It is
desirable that the total number of speakers do not exceed five besides the chairman. The audience
very seldom talks, as the chairman and the speakers anticipate possible questions and doubts and
clarify these during the presentation itself. It is in this aspect that the symposium differs from panel
discussion.
FOUR COMPONENTS OF SYMPOSIUM

The theme
The chairman
The speaker
The audience

THE THEME
It is the topic on which the presentations are to be made. Topic should be stated precisely and specify
the scopes.
THE CHAIRMAN
He is the person responsible for organising and presiding over the symposium. The important
attributes to be possessed by the chairman include the knowledge about the topic, ability for lucid
exposition of ideas, and the ability to facilitate group work. The chairman should be able to tolerate
ambiguity and deal with spontaneous situations that might arise during symposium.
THE SPEAKER
They are responsible for presenting views in a clear and concise way. They should have firm grasp
of the topic and need enough knowledge about the audience facing them.
THE AUDIENCE
The audience is usually comprised of interested individuals who want to attend the meeting. Every
effort should be made for a good symposium because it would stimulate thinking among participants
and enhance their understanding.

4. MASTERY LEARNING

Mastery learning is a term coined by Benjamin Bloom in 1968. It was first used by F.S.Keller. It is a
teaching learning process which asserts that under appropriate instructional conditions all students
can learn what is taught in schools. In mastery learning students are helped to master each learning
unit before proceeding to more advanced learning tasks. It involves direct teacher instruction, cooperation with classmates, or independent learning. The concept of mastery learning can be
attributed to the Behaviorism principle of Operant conditioning by B.F.Skinner. According to this
theory, learning occurs when an association is formed between a stimulus and a response.
STEPS IN MASTERY LEARNING
1. The whole course is broken down into small units covering one or two weeks of instruction.
2. The instructional objectives are clearly specified.
3. The learning task within each unit is taught using regular group instruction.
4. Formative tests or diagnostic progress tests are conducted after each unit.
5. Corrective study is prescribed. It includes group discussion, rereading a specific passage, etc.
6. Summative tests are conducted to determine grades to students.

ADVANTAGES
1. Students have prerequisite skills to move to next unit.
2. Teachers can state the objectives of each unit before designing activities.
3. Can break the cycle of failure.
4. Help the pupil to learn the subject matter thoroughly.
5. Formative test informed students of their obstacles in learning.
6. Corrective study helps in overcoming difficulties and maintains a high level of achievement.
7. Develop positive attitude, interest, and self confidence.

DISADVANTAGES
1. Not all students progress at the same pace.
2. Must have a variety of material for remediation.
3. It must have several tests for each unit.
4. If only objective tests are used can lead to memorising only.