A social constructivist approach to computer-mediated instruction

Abstract

A computer-mediated teaching system, called computer-aided personalized system of instruction (CAPSI), has been developed that incorporates a social constructivist approach. This educational philosophy maintains that human learning occurs primarily through a socially interactive process. In CAPSI, course material is divided into study units, and the instructor prepares study questions on each unit. The study questions require verbally composed answers. In addition, the study questions in CAPSI often do not specify any one correct answer; instead the quality of the answer depends on how well it is argued as judged by the feedback it evokes from others. All students receive feedback on their performance from more advanced students. In addition, the more advanced students learn from the answers of the less advanced students. Data presented in this report show that, consistent with social constructivism, students in a CAPSI-taught course receive and give a large amount of substantive feedback.