ABSTRACT
The real point of using computers in education is to help students learn more effectively. There is a widespread belief that they can do this, and indeed there is a good theoretical case for it: computer simulations· can open up new areas of the curriculum; the computer provides an active learning environment for the student; it is capable of giving instant feedback; CAL" packages can be individualized to a greater extent than many other forms of teaching, and so on. In theory, it should be an excellent learning method. However, the practice sometimes falls short of the promise, and it is the purpose of this chapter to consider how the practice might be improved to bring it more in line with the hopes and expectations.
