The purpose of this study was to construct a taxonomy for instructional software or computer assisted instruction (CAI) for nursing education. Currently, there are only vague, often times misleading, labels that are used for categorizing or distinguishing one type of CAI from another. The instructional strategies utilized in CAI to assist students in learning were the basis for this taxonomy.

A review of the literature resulted in a list of instructional strategies that were grouped using cognitive learning theory. The taxonomy was then built using this list as the basis for the defining characteristics and representative instructional strategies for each category and class. Existing software was then reviewed for the purpose of (a) revealing any instructional strategies not derived from the literature search, and (b) identifying any programs that did not fit into the taxonomy. The resulting classification system is titled the Learner-Centered Taxonomy of Computer Assisted Instruction. This taxonomy can be used by teachers, CAI developers, and researchers.