For example, they can assist instructors in designing learner-centered activities. Instructional technologies expand opportunities for active learning. Computer simulations help students develop and practice research skills in simulated lab settings. Simulations help students grasp difficult abstract concepts by allowing them to manipulate data or designs and thus instantly seeing resulting changes. The students also receive immediate feedback about their performance.
Instructional technologies shift the focus from whole-class instruction to small group instruction.
When students work with computers, they progress at different rates. Thus, instructors need to interact more frequently with individual students or groups of students to assist them. Instructional technologies facilitate a collaborative rather than competitive learning environment. Collaboration is encouraged when students have access to extensive databases and share their work through networked communications, such as electronic mail, computer conferencing, newsgroups. Exemplary Uses of Instructional Technologies Ask students to use electronic data bases, the World Wide Web in their bibliographic searches.