The Use of CAI for Distance Teaching in the Formulation of Search Strategies

INAFOURIE ABSTRACT COMPUTER-ASSISTED (CAI) HAS PROVED an effective method INSTRUCTION of teaching in Library and Information Science (LIS) practices such as online searching and enduser instruction. The growing interest in electronic information retrieval, and especially the Internet, as well as the emphasis on lifelong learning skills stress the need for training in the formulation of search strategies. Distance education is especially suitable for training working adult students, and should therefore also be explored with regard to the teaching of skills in the formulation of search strategies. Since 1992 the Department of Information Science at the University of South Africa (Unisa) has been experimenting with a CAI tutorial in the formulation of search strategies. The experience gained from designing this CAI tutorial and from revising it in 1998, feedback from students and a literature survey are used to report on the design of CAI tutorials in the formulation of search strategies. 1INTRODUCTION Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is a well-known and accepted method of instruction for independent studies. Synonyms for CAT include computer-assisted learning (C A L) ,computer-based education (CBE) ,and computer-based training (CBT) .