Section Four
Interestingly, computer-based instruction or training has
low delivery costs but is expensive to develop. In contrast, the
lecture instructional approach involves low development costs
but is very expensive to deliver. Nonetheless, the advantages of
computer-based instruction are meaningful. It can be readily
available and accessible on demand at the student’s
convenience, allows for self-pacing, and provides for active
involvement through the interactive features of
computerization. It also provides in-progress testing,
reinforcement, and remedial training based on incorrect
responses, and can be operated on a stand-alone basis. Such
training also provides standardized training that can be widely
disseminated within a company, and can provide realistic
simulation of pragmatic work simulations.^72
Another training approach is called computer-assisted
instruction. In this approach, the computer may not be the
primary instructional mode but may be used to augment more
conventional training. The distinction between the terms is
somewhat blurred because they are sometimes used
interchangeably. Nonetheless, computer-assisted instruction
seems to have a more general connotation. In recent years,
there has been a substantial amount of research in the
management information systems literature on how to design
human–computer interfaces in computer-assisted training so as
to obtain active involvement of the student. One important