I have never used computer tutorials and I found that they were o.k. I liked the math one a lot better than the reading one because reading is a more open ended process.
a. Discuss the potential benefits of the computer tutors.
These programs are nice because they are very accessible and the student can work on their own. They can also move at a pace that is comfortable to them. It helps cut back on having to hire extra help to come in as a tutor. Students can be tutored at any time and it is very adaptable to their needs.
b. Are there any concerns or weaknesses?
You can never replace the knowledge of a human being. On the reading tutorial when I typed in my answers they would just correct it with whatever they had typed in. As a student this could be come frustrating and de-motivational because they can't really check the students work. All the computer can do is tell the student that they are wrong. In the math one you only got one extra try before they gave you the answer. In real life students may need 3 or 4 chances to get the answer right. I think that these tutorials are good but a real person working with a child is the most beneficial.
c. How would you better design those tutors?
I would try to find a way that the students can ask more questions, some kind of interactive feedback. Students should also be given more chances to get the correct answer with hints and more instruction given to them. It would be awesome if the computer could track what the student writes for the answer and then either accepts or doesn't accept it.
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