Computer-Assisted Instruction: Performance and Attitudes

Zero, 4, and 8 second delays in knowledge of results were used in a computer-assisted instruction task learned by sixty men and sixty women. The task was a tutorial constructed-response program dealing with binary numbers, presented via an electric typewriter. Criteria used were (a) time taken to complete the program (corrected for delay times), (b) number of correct responses during learning, (c) number of correct responses made on an achievement test on the program, and (d) scores on a test of expressed attitude toward computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Women completed the task more quickly, and showed poorer attitudes toward CAI when the delay interval was 8 seconds. Other performance criteria were unaffected.