Is there any evidence that computer-based instruction works?
There are so many different types of computer-based learning materials that it is almost impossible to give a simple ‘yes or no’ answer to this question and the debate rages on. Instead, let’s break it down a bit into some different kinds of materials and look at some selected research. Web-based hypertext resources: The majority of these types of resources currently are on-line textbooks, more or less. Some have a great deal of useful information including images, animations, and videos. Do these facilitate learning? Does a textbook? The answer for both is, of course, yes if the person reading the material pays attention and engages at a deep level. A great deal of research has shown that people who read material actively, ie. asking questions as they go, stopping to summarise points, taking notes, anticipating what the author will write next, can learn effectively from on-line or written texts (Kintsch, 1995). However, such learning depends as well on the quality of the resources. Ju
