Integrating computers into the university curriculum: The experience of the U.K. Computers in Teaching Initiative

Abstract

The role of computers in university-level research activities has been established for two decades. But advances in microprocessor technology coupled with developments in local area networking are opening up a new dimension to university computing, with computers entering the classroom and lecture theatre as routine pedagogic aids. In the United Kingdom, the Computers in Teaching Initiative (CTI) is a national programme designed to promote a greater awareness of the scope of computer assisted teaching in universities. 135 demonstration projects have been established around the country, including one in almost every academic discipline. Projects are usually based in a single university department, and funding is typically about £80,000 spread over two years. This paper draws extensively on the experiences of CTI projects to explore the new opportunities presented by the use of computers in university teaching, and the difficulties and challenges that have yet to be surmounted if we are to utilise effectively the new technology. The UK experience indicates that the most effective use of computers in university teaching goes far beyond the simple acquisition and testing of “knowledge”. Many CTI projects are using computers to enhance other areas of the cognitive domain, using simulation and modelling techniques to promote appreciation, understanding, and synthesis.