Designing Computer-Aided Instruction

Abstract

The research project “Feedback processes in computer managed spelling instruction” is aimed at developing and testing an instructional software program for teaching the spelling of Dutch verbs. The main focus of this article is on how to create an optimal learning environment. First, theoretical aspects concerning the learning content are discussed. Second, the design of the man-computer interaction is highlighted from a number of respects: the sequencing of the learning content, the presentation of information on the screen, and the format of student input and feedback. Third, some preliminary results of a field experiment, in which the effectiveness of the CAI was investigated, are presented.