
As this is a discuss topic you are expected to
be able to analyse the views of different
people or look at the advantages and
disadvantages of a particular topic.

Most discuss questions require you to do some
form of research and so, this presentation will
not provide you with all the answers, but with
an avenue in which you can explore this topic
to a greater depth.

In other words... this presentation aims at giving
you ‘food for thought’.

Computer based training (CBT) is
becoming increasingly popular with
different organisations and, indeed,
groups of people when it comes to
training.

There are different levels of complexity
when concerning computer based
training methods.

An online help site could be considered
a CBT method.

A user who simply clicks on hyperlinks
related to the topic they require help
with can be considered to be a CBT.

However, this method could be further
improved through the use of multimedia
and other interactive mediums.

Videos are often used to help get
information and help across to people
these days.

is a popular site which allows
people to post up videos of whatever the
like...usually random things!

If you are in need of some help though, it
can be a useful resource!

Here you can
see that people
have been
posting their own
video tutorials
showing how to
use Flash CS4.

Some CBT
applications allow
the user to interact
with a computer
simulation.
Applications such
as Adobe
Captivate can
record the actions
of a user and then
be used as a
training tool later
on.

When used as a training tool, the user can
watch the recording first, then the
application will ask them to repeat what
they saw in the virtual application.

Many companies use this type of
environment to help acclimatise their
employees onto a system.

Super markets, such as Waitrose, make use
of this type of training.

Log On:
› Users can log onto a CBT application using a
username and password. Their training session
can depend on their ‘level’ and also can be
resumed from a previous lesson (saves progress).

Feedback (to the trainee):
› Some CBT applications can mark themselves
and give feedback in a number of ways:
 Written
 Video
 Audio

Feedback (to the tutor):
› After trainees have completed the CBT the
system can compile results for the tutor. The
tutor can sort the results from highest to lowest
mark, and can also look at the average score
for each question.

Pre-assessment:
› Some CBT applications will ask a series of
questions prior to any testing. This will eliminate
any unnecessary questions from the actual test.

Target setting:
› Trainees can set themselves learning targets to try
and achieve over a period of time. The CBT
application can then create a learning programme
based on those targets.

Assignment setting:
› Many schools make use of assignment features on
the VLE. Tutors can set assignments via the CBT and
trainees can submit their work via the CBT. Some CBT
applications will automatically mark the assignments
and also inform the tutor of which trainees have not
submitted the assignment on time.

We now know what features are
available in a CBT application.

But in order to answer this topic properly
you will need to be able to discuss how
CBTs are used by different people
and/or look at the advantages and
disadvantages of CBT applications.

The text book looks at the advantages and
disadvantages of CBTs for both a trainee and tutor.

Take a look at the tables on page 135.

For both the trainee and the tutor, pick 1 advantage
and 1 disadvantage and then use them to help you
answer this question…
› Discuss the impact that computer based training
applications have had in education.

Remember, this would be worth 11 marks and is
based on the quality of your written answer.

Explain how multimedia can enhance
online training.

Explain how the tutor could make effective
use of the ability to see the average scores
for each question that was answered by all
of their trainees.

Explain the disadvantage to trainees of not
having a tutor around when using a CBT.