What Is Cal?

What is Computer Aided Learning (CAL)?

Definition of CAL .............................................................................................................................................................................1

What CAL is not - CBL! ..................................................................................................................................................................1

CAL as Integrative Technology?.....................................................................................................................................................2

CAL - The Hard Truth of It. ...........................................................................................................................................................3

Definition of CAL

CAL is an abbreviation of Computer Aided Learning and is one of the most commonly used

acronyms within education. It is difficult to say exactly when the term “CAL” was first employed,

however since the mid 1980s CAL has been increasingly used to describe the use of technology in

teaching. But what exactly does “Computer Aided Learning” refer to?

Well there is, despite the ever increasing interest in the use of technology within education, no

clear definition of the term “CAL”. It does not refer to a given standardised set of rules, HCI ideals

or generic specification. So in the absence of a type description perhaps we should concern

ourselves less with the meaning of “CAL” but rather with the context in which the term is used.

There are two common contexts of usage: CAL as Computer Based Learning and CAL as

Integrative Technology

What CAL is not - CBL!

In the absence of a classical definition “CAL” has often been used to describe the development

and application of educational technology for a variety of circumstances. From the mid 1980s until

the early 1990s the term CAL was often used to refer to the development of either a single

computer program or a series of programs which replaced the more traditional methods of

instruction, in particular the lecture. This was in fact a natural progression from an early misguided

strategy,