An Overview of Computer-Aided Learning

The technique of learning through computers with the help of computer learning systems is known as Computer-Aided Learning (CAL). It is specifically developed for educational purposes. Computer-aided learning includes audio-visual aids, interactive tutorials, simulations and multimedia enriched materials. It also includes modern techniques and pedagogical strategies to assist student's teaching.The use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT) and computers in the form of CAL provides great support in the process of teaching and learning. It fulfils various needs of education within reasonable time and resources. The use of computers in schools and colleges develops computer literacy in the students and provides various teaching and learning aids. Besides of providing quick processing of information, the computers also provide an efficient storage and retrieval of information. Computers provide self-paced learning. They make learning individual for each learner and provide immediate feedback, which is helpful in improving the level of performance. Computers provide interaction. Students can interact with each other and their tutors which makes the learning easy and fast. The audio-visual aids help us to make the present teaching / learning process more joyful and interesting. Multimedia enriched contents help teachers to explain the topics in a better way and students to understand those topics in a better way. The computer- aided learning help the children with special needs to read and understand easily. So, it is worth to say that it helps a lot in improving the quality of education.
With advancement in the computer technology, new developments are going on and so new possibilities are coming, while the related cost is being decreased. As the cost is being decreased, the number of users is being increased. So, lot and lot people are taking advantage of the technology. The developments show that the computer-aided learning may enhance the learning and provide learners with the information for decision making while solving their problems. The professionals consider that the CAL has a potential to motivate students, which will result in improvements. New tools make it easier to develop CAL systems for different subject areas to provide a great help and support to learners. In future, we can see the CAL systems, which will interact and communicate with students in a very realistic way and help them more effectively. However at present, the purpose of CAL systems is only to support the process of teaching and learning rather than to replace the traditional educational practices.