Question

4.If you had the choice, would you choose a computer-based training program or a traditional classroom program? Which would you prefer, and why? Do you think your satisfaction, learning, and performance would differ in a computer-based program versus a traditional classroom program? Explain your reasoning.

8.Research on the effects of computer-based training has found that it is more effective than classroom instruction when trainees can choose the program (computer-based or classroom) and when the instructional methods used to deliver the programs are different. What are the implications of these two findings for understanding the effects of computer-based training and for the design and delivery of computer-based training programs?

10.What does learner control refer to and what role does it play in technology-based training? Why is learner control not always effective? What can be done to make it more effective?

Answer 1

4. Computer-based program and traditional classroom program both have their advantages and disadvantages and which one should be preferred amongst the two depends on different factors. Computer-based program is suitable where the trainees are geographically dispersed and cannot be gathered at one location. Whereas if the trainees are located nearby then collecting them for the classroom program is more suitable. A program that needs to save time and money can be conducted online as no gathering everyone online takes lesser time than for traditional classroom setup and also the cost of having a classroom will be more than an online class.

The traditional classroom can help in connecting to students more personally as they interact with face to face. In a computer-based program, the concentration from both ends can be less and the connectivity made is weak. It also depends on the type of trainees which means their age, their ease of understanding or education. For example, smaller kids or old aged people will find it difficult to follow classes online and will thus prefer a traditional classroom program. Whereas young people who find computers user-friendly will find computer-based programs more productive. Hence the level of satisfaction, learning and performance from both the types of programs vary based on the other factors and any one of them can be chosen on the other depending on these factors.