The use of computer-assisted learning in a primary school

Abstract

This paper describes some of the findings of the author's research into the implementation and use of computers in Bahrain's primary schools. The research consisted of the study and evaluation of a computer-assisted learning (CAL) process in a private English primary school. The head teacher and class teachers were interviewed and observations were recorded of children working with computers in classroom emvironments. The survey indicated that computer use in the school conforms to the pattern of computer introduction in British primary schools. The findings also indicated that the introduction of CAL into the school curriculum is supplementary, slow and gradual. The research also showed that the successful use of CAL requires a specific set of requirements to be fulfilled such as change in the attitudes of the head teacher and class teachers, adjustment of teaching methods, teacher training facility and redistribution of workload, adequate hardware resources and availability of quality software and courseware resources. The creation of a complete integrated CAL environment in a classroom is still a long way away.