anji@ncst.ernet.in (KSR Anjaneyulu) (11/12/90)
I am trying to find places where computers are used for instruction and training on a large-scale. By large-scale, I mean of the order of hundreds of terminals, dedicated to computer based education/training at any level. These could be used as a part of totally automated courses (using other media like videos) or courses related to job skills. I heard that there is a place in Singapore where such a thing has been tried out. However I do not have any details of it. Does anyone out there have any information about this or other similar centres? I would appreciate receiving information such as email addresses, contact persons, postal addresses, telephone numbers and fax numbers so that I could get in touch with people and get more information. Anji ______________________________________________________________________ Address: KSR Anjaneyulu National Centre for Software Technology Gulmohar Cross Rd No. 9 Juhu, Bombay 400 049, India Phone : +91(22) 620 1606 Telex : +81(011) 78260 NCST IN E-mail : anji@ncst.ernet.in ______________________________________________________________________
SLVQC@CUNYVM (Salvatore Saieva) (11/24/90)
It was just by accident that I saw your posting in comp.edu regarding
sites using CAI on a large-scale. I work for the Academic Computer
Center at Queens College (of the City University of New York) and
we use CAI video and audio tapes to do much of the functional
training for our students and faculty. Our move away from the
traditional ``hands-on workshop'' training began about 2 years ago,
when tightening budgets caused us to limit the amount of sessions
we could offer. (Also, at the same time we were experiencing a large
increase in demand from novice users; many secretaries were moving
over to wordprocessing.)
On our timesharing systems (VM/CMS, VAX/VMS, VAX/Ultrix) we run CAI
programs to train all new users. In total, each semester we issue
approximately 200-300 new user accounts. On VM/CMS we run a CAI package
called Teach that we developed in-house. (This same Teach program for
VM/CMS is being used by the Business School at Texas A&M and by
St. Johns University in Queens, NY.) On our local VAX/VMS system we
basically run the CAI tutorial on VMS and EDT available from DEC, but
we have front ended their tutorials to look like Teach and added
other CAI tutorials on running SPSS, using magnetic tapes, receiving
files, etc. On our VAX/Ultrix system we use a program called `learn'
that, I believe, was written by AT&T. The CAI programs are supplemented
by a very short document entitled ``On-Line.'' This doc gives simple
instructions on how to login to the different systems for the first
time and how to start the CAI programs on each system. The doc also
offers a quick reference to the important commands availble on each
system and instructions on how to login from home using a modem. We
have found these CAI methods indespensible in training the large
volumes of new users on our timesharing systems each semester.
This semester also brought about a change in the way we train our
PC users. In the past all PC training was done using a ``hands-on
workshop'' format. We had offered beginning, intermediate, and advanced
sessions for most of the popular PC packages (including DOS). Now,
our PC training methods are very different. All PC training is
based upon a `Self-Paced Instruction Lab (SPI)' that we put together
during the summer. The SPI Lab is equipped with a TV/VCR, an Apple
Macintosh, an IBM PS/2, and a printer on each machine. We evaluated
video and audio tapes on WordPerfect, Lotus, DBase III+, Word, Excel,
DOS, etc, picked the best, and included these in the SPI Lab offerings.
For most packages, tapes are available at beginning, intermediate,
and advanced levels.
A person (student or faculty member) moves through 3 stages in our
training program: Stage 1 is a 2-hour introduction held in a lecture
format. For popular packages (WordPerfect, Lotus, DOS, etc) we conduct
this lecture to introduce users to the capabilites of the package
(ie: WordPerfect is a wordprocessor, it has spell checking, etc).
The instructor uses a computer at the front of the room attached to
a large screen or projector. Available SPI materials are introduced
and a suggested training sequence is prescribed (ie: video and audio
tapes are available for WordPerfect, you'll need to watch tapes 1 and 2
if you want to do mailing labels). Stage 2 is SPI training. Anyone
interested makes a reservation to use the SPI materials and learns
the material at their own pace. Stage 3 is a follow-up question and
answer session. A lecture is held by an `expert' on the topic
and new users can bring questions for issues they are stuck on. The
instructor works-out as many problems as possible within the time
for the lecture. Other sessions can be scheduled if people are still
having problems understanding the new software.
We have found that users enjoy the SPI materials and want to learn
about more packages. We are also able to handle a larger volume
of new users, especially since now we are running with a smaller
User Services staff. Very surprising to me is that my phone rings
less. Being a member of User Services, I was often bombared with
many rudimentary questions each semester on PC and mainframe topics.
So, I would say people are learing better.
Sal.
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Salvatore Saieva Internet: slvqc@cunyvm.cuny.edu
Queens College, Academic Computer Center BITNET: slvqc@cunyvm.bitnet
65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, N.Y. 11367 DeskNet: (718) 520-7662
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