COMPUTER-AIDED-INSTRUCTION FOR ADULT PROFESSIONALS - A RESEARCH REPORT

Computer-Aided Instruction (CAI) should satisfy the learning needs of the users. In schools, the goal has been mastery of subject matter. Adult professionals typically need to improve work performance. These different objectives have prompted research on the effectiveness of CAI with architects and engineers The first study found that designers scored as high when they learned a design software package from an embedded computer-based tutorial as they did through more traditional training methods. However, an attitude survey revealed that some features of the tutorial were not considered helpful. Another study identified groups of users who were less satisfied than others with the tutorial. A new instructional system has been modeled that permits more control by adult professionals and can be used to let students learn while working.