T h e role of computer technology in education is currently a widely-discussed and a well-researched area. Throughout history there has been the desire to integrate new technologies into education, with the expectation of improving the teaching and learning process.' While facilitating the teaching-learning process through enhancing interactive and collaborative learning, supporting self study and increasing student motivation, modern computer-based technologies offer the potential for changes in the traditional roles of the teachers and learners. Hence, it provides a great opportunity to improve the quality of teaching and learning.T h e term Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) generally refers to the use of computer-based educational packages, to enhance the learning process. CAL can be deployed either through floppy diskette, CD, Local Area Network (LAN) or the Internet, to be accessed by a learner. These C A L packages can v a r y f r o m sophisticated commercial packages, t o applications developed in educational institutions, or simple materials developed by individuals. T h e use of computers in education through CAL is one option among many other modes of learning, such as face-to-face teaching, print materials, radio and television broadcasts, as well as audio and video recordings. Yet, as a computer-based multimedia learning package can contain text, graphics, animations, audio and video, separately, as well as a conlbination of all these, CAL becomes more powerful than any other mode.Since the inception, classroom use of computers encompassed m o s t l y i n s t r u c t i o n a l a n d s u p p o r t applications of the computer. The role of computers was perceived either as 'tutors' where students learnt directly from the computers, 'tutees' where students learnt by teaching the computers through programming, or as 'tools' where teachers extensively used word processing software, databases, spreadsheets, graphic programmes and desktop publishing software to assist teaching and learning.' W i t h t h e development of multimedia computers and the Internet in 1990s, the role of computers expanded further.However, it is often observed that the conception of educational computing focused mainly on learning 'from' the technology. Jonassen' argues that computer applications should be used as 'cognitive tools' that enhance the thinking of learners, where learners will learn with the technology and notfiom it. Different kinds of challenging activities provided by the teachers and technology will engage learners in thmlung, and th will result in meaningful learning.The most appropriate use of computers to facilitate such meaningful learning is viewed as 'linowledge constructioli tools'..' This paradigm shift from teaching to learning is significant in C A L where the learners can actively participate in learning, interacting in a computer interface, rather than just accessing information from it.CAL materials can be easily designed to support a systematic instructional design that provides a step-bystep process fo...