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Teacher Education

Notes programmer is to provide contingencies of reinforcement so that the correct responses to
the questions presented are immediately rewarded and the incorrect responses are not
Skinner opposed punishment for wrong responses and recommended that punishment should
be kept minimum so that there was no danger of developing a negative attitude towards
the learning activity. By applying the principles of operant conditioning in teaching human-
beings, Skinner developed an instructional model which is popularly known as programmed
instruction. The term 'programmed' is used for arranging learning experiences or events in
the most logical and psychological sequence so that the student gets maximum benefit from
instruction. Having explained the origin and the concept of programmed instruction.
(ii) Styles of programmed instruction: There are mainly two styles of programmed instruction-
linear and branching. These styles aim at programming of subject matter and are widely
used in instructional situations all over the world. However, there is yet another style
which is used for programming of behaviour. This style is called mathetics In our discussion,
we focus on the first two styles.
(iii) Linear style: According to this style, the subject matter is broken into small pieces of
information (steps) and is presented in a logical sequence of small steps. These small steps
are called frames. The student is required to go through frames containing a bit or bits of
information and respond to the question given at the end of each £tame. The feedback in the
form of correct answer is provided in the next frame. The frames are so designed and
arranged that students' errors are kept to a minimum. In other words, programmed
instruction ensures that the student make minimum errors.
(iv) Computer-assisted Instruction: One of the most important contributions of modem technology
in the field of individualised instruction is the introduction of computers in the teaching-
learning process. Although, its use has not yet been extended on a mass scale to our schools,
the future years may witness fast computerisation of the teaching-learning activities. As
teachers, we should know the role of computers in the teaching-learning process. A computer
can record, analyse and react to , students' responses. It can store and manipulate information
on an extensive scale; it can control and manage a wide variety of learning materials; and it
can simultaneously cope with learning requirements of many individuals. It can make a
number of planning decisions also. Before we discuss computer-assisted instruction, let us
understand technical description of a computer in brief. A computer is an electronic device
that accepts data, performs operations on that data in a sequence (decided by the programme)
and provides output in terms of results. Computers can be of various sizes and they are
named differently, like mainframe computers, mini-computers and micro-computers. Apart
from size, computers are differentiated according to the specifications of the electronic
devices. These include the amount and type of storage capacity, the capabilities of the
central processing unit (CPU), and the type and nature of the peripheral equipment (such as
disc storage, etc.) that can be connected to the computer.
It consists of an input device (e.g. the keyboard), the central processing unit of the computer
and storage devices (e.g. cassette tape player, floppy disc device), and the output device
(e.g., a TV display unit or a monitor and/ or printing terminals). The actual computer
equipment is called 'hardware', while the term 'software' refers to the instructions, courses
or the programmes that the computer carries out.
The input device, usually a keyboard, (or a cassette recorder or a disc device), is meant to
feed data and instructions to the CPU. The control unit in tha CPU receives instructions
involving calculation or comparison. It then controls the movement of data fiom the memory
of CPU for arithmetic or logical operations. Once these operations are over. it moves the
results to a specified storage location and/or to the output device. Normally, a TV screen
displays the outputs that computer has processed. A printer can also be used if a hard copy
is required.
(v) Personalised System of Instruction: The personalised system of instruction (PSI) is another
self-learning technique which emphasises individualisation of instruction and learner-

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