The development of a computer-based tutorial on the basic computer concepts

Abstract. With the advent of computers, CBTs or computer-based tutorials are slowly having widespread applications in the field of education. Basic Computer Concepts tutorial is a typical application of such and will follow the course outline of BASICON which is taught by lecture at De La Salle University. Therefore, it will serve as a supplement to this course. Several objectives will have to be met in coming up with a respectable SW output. First, the CBT will help beginners in learning something about basic computer concepts. Second, the package will be interactive, well-structured, informative, and entertaining. This study is limited only to the development of a software package and therefore does not include testing and implementation. It includes a users and utility manual to facilitate effective usage of this package. Several theories were adhered upon in the development of this project but the main theory used was the Theory of Programmed Instruction. The main idea here is that the student is presented information in a series of frames. Each frame contains a new item of information and poses a question that the student will answer. Turning a knob would uncover the correct answer, and the next instructional frame is displayed. Hence, the student goes step by step through the course, gradually being introduced to more difficult materials -- being tested and immediately reinforced at each step. The developmental nature of this project only allow research and interview for its data gathering procedures. But several CBTs were also looked upon to have an idea on the design. Thus, with the information obtained, the development of the CBT was initiated. The design consists of 2 main programs which serve as control routines to the package. The Displayer serves as the tutorial proper. It displays the lessons and the quizzes. The Utility serves as the utility to the Displayer and allows modification of lesson text and review sets as well as monitoring students performance. This basically comprises the project and edges above others since it allows flexibility of lessons. In conclusion, BASICON-CBT does not intend to replace the teacher nor the book Fundamentals of Computer and Algorithms. It would only serve as a supplement to be used for reference and review purposes. The developers believe that this, computer-based tutorial, together with the conventional teaching strategy, lecture, would certainly result in an efficient and effective learning process