Scribd
Upload
79 views26 pages

Software

The document discusses different types of instructional software including drill and practice, tutorials, simulations, problem solving, tool software, and programming software. It provides details on the advantages and uses of each type as well as factors to consider when evaluating and selecting instructional software.

Uploaded by

Neil Virgel Inding
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
79 views26 pages

Software

The document discusses different types of instructional software including drill and practice, tutorials, simulations, problem solving, tool software, and programming software. It provides details on the advantages and uses of each type as well as factors to consider when evaluating and selecting instructional software.

Uploaded by

Neil Virgel Inding
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 26

Using Instructional Software

Rhonda Christensen
CECS 4100
Types of Instructional Software
 Drill and Practice
 Tutorial
 Simulation
 Problem Solving
 Tool Software
 Programming
Drill and Practice Software
 Prior to 1984 about 75% of educational
sofware was drill and practice
 Easy way to “get started”
 Easy programs to write
 Often keep track of student progress
Drill and Practice Software
 Advantages
• Immediate feedback
– error analysis techniques
• Efficient record keeping
– current progress of each student
• Motivation
– Even though perhaps electronic worksheets
• Can help individualize instruction
Tutorial Software
 Concepts are presented followed by the
opportunity to practice using that
information
 Guided practice
 Immediate feedback
Tutorial Software
 Advantages
• Interaction
• Individualization
– Adjust pace
– Student control vs. computer control
– Branching techniques
– Intelligent tutoring systems
• Efficiency
How to Use Tutorials in Teaching
 For self-paced reviews of instruction
 As an alternative learning strategy
 To allow instruction when teachers are
unavailable
• advanced students
• rural areas
Computer Simulations
 A representation or model of an event,
an object or a phenomenon
 Simplified model containing essential
elements of real thing
 Power to manipulate aspects of model
• Ex. Lemonade Stand
• Decisions, Decisions
• Carmen series
How to Use Simulations
in Teaching
 Compress time
 Slow down process
 Get students involved
 Make experimentation safe
 Make the impossible possible
 Save money and other resources
 Repeat with variations
 Make situations controllable
Problem Solving Courseware
 Similar to simulation but not necessarily
an attempt at a real-life situation
 Problem solving skills
• Working backward
• Breaking a problem into parts
• Identifying necessary/unnecessary info.
• Looking for sequence or patterns
• Visual reasoning
Tool Software
 Has become common in education
 Word processors, data bases,
spreadsheets, graphics programs,
hypermedia and stat programs
 Most can be used in many ways in
many disciplines
Programming Software
 Most control over computer
 Pascal, C++, LOGO, BASIC, FORTRAN
 Teaching of programming has steadily
declined in U.S. schools
Programming Software
 Controversial regarding teaching in
education
 Few will become programmers
 Learning how to program teaches an
awareness of what can be done, etc.
 Should be used to reach a goal - within
curriculum goals
Integrated Learning Systems
(ILS)
 Includes instructional software and a
management system
 Operates on a LAN (Local Area
Network)
 Includes pretest, diagnosis of learner’s
level, assignments, post-test,
reinforcement
Integrated Learning Systems
 Students typically work at their own
pace
 Usually in lab setting
 May drive rather than support the
curriculum
 Expensive
 Overuse in U.S.
Computer Managed Instruction
 Teacher’s use of computer to manage
instruction
• gradebook (spreadsheet)
• newsletters
• reports
• clerical management
Problems with Effective Use of
Computers in the Classroom
 Teacher training
 Lack of integration into curricululm
 Dynamic nature of computing
Evaluating and Selecting
Instructional Software
Locating Software
 Vendor catalogs
 Professional journals
 Conferences
 Online web sites
 Educational organizations
 Colleagues
Evaluating Software
 Determine what will meet curricular
goals and objectives
 Determine criteria
 Read reviews
 Order preview copy
 Mechanism for inventorying and
distributing software
Criteria for Software Evaluation
 Content characteristics
• Is content accurate?
• Does the content have educational value?
• Is the content free of race, ethnic, sex and
other stereotypes?
Criteria for Software Evaluation
 Instructional Characteristics
• Is the purpose well defined?
• Does it achieve its purpose?
• Is the presentation of content clear and
logical?
• Is the level of difficulty appropriate for
target audience?
• Are graphics, color, etc. appropriate?
Criteria for Software Evaluation
 Instructional Characteristics (con’t)
• Is the package motivational?
• Does it stimulate creativity?
• Is feedback from students effectively
employed?
• Does the learner control rate and
sequence?
• Is instruction integrated with previous
experiences?
Criteria for Software Evaluation
 Technical Characteristics
• Are user support materials comprehensive
and effective?
• Can intended user easily operate the
program?
• Can teachers easily use the program?
• Is the program reliable?
Stay legal with Software
 Determine the number of copies your
school/district will purchase
 Follow copyright agreement
 Consider lab packs, site license

You might also like