A
program is a subject which pupils learn. As far as programmed
instruction is concerned, it is a new strategy of teaching. It is a device or
strategy to control student’s behavior and helps them learn without the
supervision of a teacher. It is highly individualized instructional strategy
for modification of behavior.
The
programmed instruction is the arrangement of materials which are to be learnt
by the pupils in graded steps of difficulty; it is in such a manner and
sequence that it will result in the most efficient rate of understanding and
retention. It is a method of giving individualized instructions in which the
student is active and proceeds at his/her own pace. Physical presence of
teacher is not essential in this strategy.
According
to Smith and Moore (1962), “Programmed instruction is a process of arranging
the material to be learned into a series of sequential steps, usually it moves
from a familiar background into complex and set of concepts, principles and
understanding.”
Thus,
it can be concluded that the programmed instruction is an auto-instructional
technique. The information is provided in small steps and each learner
progresses at his/her own pace.
Origin of Programmed Instruction:
- The origin of modern programmed instruction is from the psychology of learning and not from technology.
- It is an application of operant conditioning learning theory to teaching-learning situations.
- It has got a historical momentum, after the publication of “The science of learning and art of teaching” article by B.F. Skinner. In this article, Skinner listed the problems of education system. He also discussed the potential of instructional programs to provide more feedback.
Characteristics of Programmed Instructions:
As far as characteristics
of programmed instructions, these are as follows:
- It is not an audio visual device. It is a part of education technology, i.e. instructional technology.
- It is a method of giving or receiving individualized instructions. It keeps in view their individual differences. The learner moves at his/her own speed.
- It clearly defines the entering and terminal behavior of the learners.
- It is not the solution of educational problems. It is a new instructional strategy for the modification of behavior of learner.
- It is systematic and sequenced.
- It cannot replace the teacher
- It provides immediate feedback to the learners.
Objectives of Programmed Instruction:
The objectives
of programmed instruction have been summarized as follows:
- To help the student in learning by doing.
- To provide the learners situation so that they can learn at their own pace.
- To help students learn in the absence of a teacher.
- To present the content in a controlled manner and in logically related steps.
- To help students in assessing their own performance themselves by comparing it with the given answers.
Assumptions Regarding Programmed Instruction:
The programmed
instruction has the following basic assumptions:
- The student has learnt micro teaching procedure.
- The student learns better if the content matter is presented in small steps.
- The student learns better if he/she is motivated to learn by confirming the responses.
- The student learns better if he/she commits minimum errors in learning.
- The student learns better if the sequence of content is psychological workable.
- The learning may be effective if the pre-requisites are specified on part of the learner.
Principles of Programmed Instruction:
A good
programmed instruction is based upon the principles of learning. These
principles are based on psychological theories. There are five fundamental
principles of programmed instruction. These are the following.
