Computers are becoming more and more of a factor in the

          education of today's children.  Most public schools at present,

          begin to educate the children in the area of computers at the

          kindergarten level.  These children are learning some basic uses

          of the computer, and some programming skills.  However, the

          computer in education is now considered something more than a

          unit of study; the computer is rapidly developing into an

          essential tool in the classroom.  To envision why the computer

          plays such a large role in present day, and future, classrooms

          there are many substantial pieces of information about the

          computer which must be come to terms with for a proper

          understanding to achieved.  For example: what is

          computer-assisted instruction, CAI (or computer-assisted

          learning, CAL); what is CAI's impact on the student; what kind of

          an impact does it have on the teacher?  By preparing a study of

          the above questions, an interpretation leads to a decision, as to

          whether or not computers are really aiding in the education of

          the child.  Suggestions for possible improvements can be made

          after this study is completed.


            Computer-assisted instruction, hereafter known as CAI, is

          increasingly popular within the public, and private, education

          systems of the United States.  CAI does not lead to a knowledge

          of the use of computers, nor does it provide an understanding of

          the impact which computers are having on all areas of society.

          CAI does have many positive attributes, which is perhaps the best

          reason for having them in the schools.  CAI enables a student to



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          work on an assignment with direct, immediate assistance.


            Basic software is available with varying types of assignments

          on them.  Within each type of assignment, ie.  math, English,

          history, etc., there is a progressive order of assignments.  In

          other words, a student can work through a level of math at

          his/her own pace.  The computer can only give back certain

          answers when a problem is done correctly, or incorrectly, this

          means that most children do not feel intimidated by the computer

          - this is looked on as a valuable asset, especially for those

          students who are shy, and easily discouraged.


            Most students look on computer assistance as very valuable;

          however, they do at times feel that they do not have a close

          interaction with the teacher, as a result of this lack of human

          interaction they have problems associating on a more social

          level.  A teacher may only see the child's work through homework,

          which can be viewed on the computer, and therefore may not have a

          sense of the special areas in which a student needs help.  Since,

          at the present time, most schools do not have a computer for

          every child, there also exists the problem of allotment of

          computer time.  As stated before, a student will be able to work

          at his own pace, but if he is only allotted so much time, they

          may not be able to complete an assignment.  Children with

          computers at home have more of a chance to complete an assignment

          then those without.


            This brings in the question of homework.  CAI can help in this



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          area, in many ways.  Children, when given a due date which they

          have not met, often give the excuses that they lost it, or that

          the teacher must have lost it "because they are quite sure that

          they did turn it in".  By having a child turn his/her work in on

          the computer, the teacher can be sure that it was turned in by

          the proper date.  They can also be more assured that they will

          not lose it.  If the child is required to turn in a hard copy as