Navy Self-Paced Computer-Based Courses: Practical Implications of Saving Time Under Instruction (UI)

Previous research has shown that converting courses to computerized self-paced format usually decreases average time under instruction (UI). This study addressed three different Navy A-School course conversions, with a total of 4,417 students over 3 years. Converting courses to computerized self-paced format decreased UI by 12–42%, resulting in significant cost savings. These savings persisted, even when considering a decreased graduation rate in one class and increased time awaiting transfer (AT) in others. However, some aspects of instructional management became more difficult because of the increased dispersion of students' UI times. These findings have implications for instructional design.