Computer Delivered Interventions (CDI)

According to a NetworkWorld post by Bob Brown, "Computer Delivered Interventions" (CDI) developed to help people fignt substance abuse are far less effective than inter-personal interaction. Based on information received from Brown University researcher Kate Carey, the author says that "The limited effectiveness of CDIs is seen as being in part because of a computer’s inability to hold students’ attention very long, despite efforts to create interactive programs."

My takeaway from the article is that the limited success in automating assistance and encouragement offers a degree of job security to counselors, teachers, librarians and others engaged in helping professions.

-DD