The creation of educational
software has changed the methods that teachers use for reaching their students.
The five main types of instructional software are: drill-and-practice software,
tutorial software, simulation software, instructional game function, and
problem solving functions. Drill-and-practice softwares are programs that
provide exercises in which students work example items and receive feedback on
their answers. The main purpose of these softwares is to have the students
memorize the information that is being presented. Drill and practice software is one of the
earliest types of educational software. Tutorial softwares are programs that
provide an entire instructional sequence on a topic. This sofwares may include
a small part of practice but it is primarily used in a teaching capacity. The
student will proceed at their own pace in the learning sequence. Simulation
softwares are those programs that provide computerized models of a real or
imagined system that is designed to teach how the system works. Simulation
programs often provide an analogy of a real life situation. Simulation software
provides learners with an opportunity to work cooperatively, solve problems,
and speculate “what if.” Instructional game functions are programs that add
game-like rules and/or competition to learning activities. These are a form of
educational software designed to be fun, competitive, and motivational for
students. The recommendation is for
teachers to incorporate games into their curriculum but not make the game the
focus of the entire lesson. The final type is problem solving function this
software is designed especially for the purpose of teaching component skills in
problem solving. This type of software was originally used for mathematical
problems but now programs are designed that are used for observing, recalling
information, sequencing, analyzing, finding and organizing information, inferring,
predicting outcomes, making analogies, and formulating ideas. Below you will
find a compilation of softwares for each of the instructional softwares.
2. Tutorial software: Fractions Made Easy http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/fractions/fracTut1.htm
4. Instructional game function : Lure of the
Labyrinth http://labyrinth.thinkport.org/www/educators.php
Works Cited
Crowe, J. A. (1996). Software for education.
Retrieved from http://public.callutheran.edu/~crowe/software.html
Roblyer, M., & Doering, A. H. (2013).
Intergrating educational technology into teaching. Upper Saddle River,
N.J: Pearson.
I agree with you that technology and software has changed the look of our classroom. When I started teaching I never would have dreamed that it would be common place for a student to have such easy access to a computer.
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