CBT or sometimes known as Computer Aided Learning (CAL) is applying multimedia applications to educate and train people. It is becoming increasingly popular as many people are realising the power and benefits. These benefits vary from application to application. However, studies have shown CBT is a very effective way of learning as it is a one on one environment where a student may learn at there own pace. It is also a good way to train with consistency knowing that all students are learning the same information where as traditional training often requires multiple venues, facilities, and trainers creating a different learning experience and environment at each venue.

Studies have shown that students retain more and have an equal or higher quality of learning over traditional instruction. CBT reduces the cost of training where CBT has a higher cost of development and a lower cost for delivery, and traditional training has a lower cost of development and a higher cost of delivery. The lower costs for CBT result primarily from a reduction in training time (typically 40-60%) and the elimination of travel.

CBT can be in the form of information presentation via video, sound, text, animation, then followed by questions in the form of multiple choice, short answer, true/false, simulations, and much more. For example, a course on a dangerous chemical experiment conducted at a university can be made safe by creating a simulation of the experiment on a computer where the student controls the procedure and variables of the experiment and the computer simulates the outcome. In real life the student may have blown up the lab.

The possibilities are almost endless, the only boundaries are the limitation of imagination and creativity. Delivery is most commonly on CD ROM however new technology is allowing us to present CBT using networks like Local Area and the Internet. Terrific for distance learning.