| Computer Based Training (CBT) or Computer | | | | served as lessons to teach students how to |
| Assisted Instruction or Tutorials refers to the | | | | complete particular lessons. However, at that |
| process of learning not taught in the traditional | | | | time, CBT could not make a grand entry into the |
| classroom manner. Here, computers with special | | | | market as it did not have the support of |
| software applications teach the student. | | | | computers, which were in the growth stage itself, |
| The advantage of this system of learning is that | | | | making it difficult to make an entry into the |
| the student can learn at his own speed. This | | | | classroom. Without appropriate technological |
| means quick learners can go ahead without | | | | support such as full multimedia, which included |
| worrying about taking average students with him, | | | | audio and video, it was difficult to take this |
| or waiting until they understand the concepts of | | | | concept forward, though bursting with potential. |
| each lesson. Similarly, slow learners can also work | | | | With the advent of new technology, the quality of |
| at their own pace without feeling nervous or | | | | CBT courses also improved and by the late 90's, |
| ashamed at their pace of learning. | | | | CBT had all the necessary components-video, |
| A student can learn anything from this kind of | | | | streaming audio and topics from different |
| learning- languages, math, history, | | | | industries and subjects. |
| computer-related programs, corporate training, | | | | Universities all over the world now saw merit in |
| customer support and project management, to | | | | this method and chose it over traditional |
| name a few. However, it has the capacity of | | | | classroom teaching. Students who couldn't attend |
| adapting itself to any subject across all disciplines | | | | classroom sessions could now take online classes |
| and can be done in any language of the world. | | | | comprising video lectures and practice exams. |
| This form of learning has its roots in the aviation | | | | While students explored this novel idea, the |
| industry which gave it "wings". In the 1980s, it | | | | employed got a second chance to upgrade their |
| was introduced for pilot training programs in order | | | | skills and have a better career. Besides, students |
| to reduce pilot training costs and avoid the | | | | with learning disabilities also took online courses at |
| problem of safety in on-site training. | | | | their own pace. |
| A few years later, the power of CBT was seen | | | | But for the rest of the student community, CBT |
| by educational institutes and the corporate | | | | courses have made it possible to study anything |
| market where text-based instructional manuals | | | | at any age anywhere. |