Instructional
Software
Educational software programs are generally designed
as activity centers, where the user can choose what to do, or as goal oriented
mission or adventures where the path is set and the user is working to a
specific objective. Either way, learning is done through puzzles, games and
activities which are developing and testing a skill or eliciting knowledge.
Educational software programs have all kinds of
interactive elements that will allow students to learn or test their retention
of the material presented.
Educational software programs for older students and
adults can become very sophisticated in terms of constructing a complete
learning path for the learner defined by their specific learning interests.
Programs like these rely more on the quality of learning content delivery,
interactivity, and instant performance feedback rather than game type activity.
Educational software tends to be predominantly skill
focused or knowledge focused. Skill focused programs are going to be in such
areas as reading, mathematics, visual arts, or
creative writing and the knowledge based programs are going to be on
areas such as history, geography, or specific areas of science.Regardless of the overall design, the intent is to engage the students to the point where they are willing to participate in learning or skill building exercises. The program’s quality of design and depth of content will determine the teacher’s and student’s desire to use the software. For educational software to work, it has to be entertaining and engagingly interactive, and the good ones are. It is important to recognize that educational software complements the teaching and learning experience and is not a substitute for teacher guidance. Below are a few educational software programs designed to enhance teaching and engage learners to participate in learning.
Tutorial
Tutorial acts like a human
tutor by providing all the information and instructional activities a learner
needs to master a topic.
By engaging students in a one-to-one
learning situation with a trained tutor, they will receive the opportunity they
need to proceed at their own pace while improving skills with methods designed
especially for them. In addition, student’s self-confidence, including their willingness
to read aloud, is increased measurably when they work with a reading tutor in a
private setting. Presenting an entire interactive instructional sequence can assist in several classroom situations. According to, (Roblyer & Doering) "self-paced reviews of instruction, alternative learning strategies, and instruction where teachers are unavailable." (pg. 78) Please refer to the below web site
Simulations
In working with high school students using simulations software program to use in the science department. Simulations
offers a somewhat risk free environment, one where learners are free to
experiment, make mistakes, and rethink and redesign without fear of destroying
something that cannot be easily replenished in a traditional setting. For
example, a classroom set of frogs might be the ultimate method for teaching biological
concepts though a dissection activity. According to, (Roblyer & Doering) "In place of or as supplements to lab experiments, role playing, field trips, clarifying a new topic, fostering exploration and process learning, and encouraging cooperation and group work. (p.79)
Digital Frog: http://www.digitalfrog.com
Problem Solving
Problem
Solving is one teachers direct through explanation
and practice the steps involved in solving problems; helps learners
acquire problem solving skills by giving them opportunities to solve problems; promotes visualization in mathematics problem solving; improve interest and motivation, and prevent inert knowledge according to.
Word processing is created documents consisting of pages with text and graphics. No other technology resource has had as great an
impact on education as word processing. Not only does word processing offer
high versatility and flexibility, it also is model free instructional software;
that is, it reflects no particular instructional approach. It can be used to support
any kind of directed instruction or constructivist activity. This is what (Roblyer & Doering 2012) provided, "support the learning of writing processes, using a dynamic group product approach, assigning individual language, writing and reading exercises, and encouraging writing through the curriculum." (pg. 120-121)
Presentation
Presentation software allows the students to present
his/her material to their peers and teachers. Software such as Power Point,
Hyperstudio and Applewords all allow students to create a presentation that
integrates English Language Arts outcomes in speaking, viewing, reading and
writing with the outcome of the presentation itself. According to (Roblyer & Doering 2012) "it help organize thinking about a topic, enhances the impact of spoken information, and allows collaboration on presentations according to." (pg. 133)
I cannot explain desktop publishing to plainer than authors (Roblyer & Doering 2012), "The desktop publishing allows students to produce elaborate, graphic-oriented documents (flyers and posters, brochures, newsletters and magazines, and books and booklets), and teachers can structure some highly motivating classroom projects around these products. It motivates children’s self-esteem when publishing work, heightened interest in writing and motivation to write for audiences outside the classroom, and improve learning through small group collaboration according to. (pg. 143-146)
Graphics
Teaching at a high school I see a lot of drawing
and painting software tools that help me along with other teachers and students create
graphics, insert into documents and web pages. Graphics software programs include
draw/paint programs; image editing tools; charting/graphing tools; and clip
art, photo, animation, sound, video, and font collections. Many of my students are in a multimedia designers class therefore, I see first hand students created graphic designs. According to (Roblyer & Doering 2012), "students may use graphic programs to illustrate their work or help convey information in reports." (pg. 157-161)
In the past families have kept sets of encyclopedias in their homes to provide support for their children's education. Research and reference software include electronic encyclopedias, atlases and
mapping tools, and dictionaries and thesauruses. According to (Roblyer & Doering 2012), "Research and reference software "Help student research any topic, learn about and use local, national, world, and extraterrestrial geography and be provided definitions." (pg. 161-163)
Also, please
visit the following web sites
Please follow me on Twitter: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Very good for Kids, teens, and adults All Educational Software <a href="http://t.co/myJFTbUIx6">http://t.co/myJFTbUIx6</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/ShareThis">@sharethis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ED505UWARAY&src=hash">#ED505UWARAY</a></p>— Mary Ann Turner (@LadyturMary) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyturMary/statuses/349691684172480514">June 26, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Reference
Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching
6th edition. Columbus, Ohio: Merrill Prentice Hall.
I like that you said, "It is important to recognize that educational software complements the teaching and learning experience and is not a substitute for teacher guidance." I think with all of the technology out there to choose from, this could happen without the teacher being aware. I agree that technology should be used as a tool to enhance the instruction, not the other way around. I also agree that for the software to work, it must be purposeful and engaging for the students. I don't know about you, but I have a long way to go on implementing all of this in my classroom! Great blog!
ReplyDeleteVery well stated of how educational software should compliment the instruction. It is very important for teachers to at least begin teaching the skill before allowing the students to work independently. As we always say all of these resources are important but cannot take the place of one to one instruction
ReplyDeleteI like your information on the educational software. It brought back memories when you touched on the research and reference encyclopedias. I believe every household "back in the day" owned a set of encyclopedias. They were the most used tools for research and etc. The tutorial software allows students today to get help when they need it and as long as they need it, Technology today makes learning easier and better for all children.
ReplyDeleteThe tutorial that allows one one one at the individual student's pace.I enjoyed reading your information instructional software.The desktoppublishing to improve and motivate writing is well needed in classrooms.
ReplyDelete