Distance Students' Perception on the Quality of Computer - Assisted Instruction Program in Operation Research Course

Abstract

Universitas Terbuka (UT) is a distance education institution that implements communication technology in various ways. In accordance with the implementation of this technology, UT uses both printed and non-printed materials designed as selflearning materials. These learning materials provide students not only with explanations of a subject but also with instructional learning purposes, examples, practices, summaries, formative tests, feedbacks, and learning instructions. Computer Assisted instruction (CAI) as a technology based learning material can be used as a supplement to the main learning material. For instance, Operation Research is mainly delivered to students through modules but it is completed by the CAI program. In order to improve the quality of the CAI program, an evaluation is needed, especially the evaluation that invites students' opinion. It is important to ask the students how the CAI program can help them comprehend a topic and which part of the program should be improved. The aim of this study is to figure out whether there are differences between students' expectation and students' perception toward the quality of the CAI program, namely the Operation Research. Some questionnaires were given to 41 respondents in Jakarta. Purposive sampling was chosen as a sampling technique with a criterion that each respondent has passed Operation Research Subject examination. From 30 questionnaires sent back and analyzed it can be concluded that there are some differences between students' expectation and students' perception toward the quality of the CAI program.

Learner perceptions on instructional design of multimedia in learning abstract concepts in science at a distance

“…In ODL situations, navigational guidance is essential for the learners to use the IMM, as they are learning in isolation. Others have also used navigational help in their packages (Andrewartha & Wilmot, 2001;Harsasi, Muzammil, & Riana, 2008), thereby helping learners in organising the content and orienting them in a proper learning path (Niederhauser, 2008).…”