Instructional Software Deborah Lyman EdTech 541 Summer 2012 By PresenterMedia.comPresenterMedia.com

Instructional software is defined by Doering and Robyler (2013) as software that is “designed… to deliver instruction or to aid in the delivery of instruction” (pg 77). What is instructional software?

Designed to give students practice solving skills. These programs usually give immediate feedback. Designed as stand alone lessons, these programs are usually used to replace instruction rather than be used as an add-on to teacher instruction. These games are created to add competition and game-like rules to learning activities. This software is focused on developing content-specific problem solving skills. Drill and Practice Tutorials Problem- Solving Software Simulations Educational Games This software is used to simulate real-world experience. They either teach how to do something or about something. What is instructional software? Taken from Doering and Roblyer (2013)

Software should always have a positive impact on student achievement. What is relative advantage of instructional software?

Flash card activity – Basic drill and practice activity in which the student sees a problem and then chooses or fills in the answer, usually timed activities Chart fill-in activity – In these activities the students are asked to answer multiple questions by filling in a chart, usually timed activities Branching drill – In these activities the questions get progressively harder based on correct answers to prerequisite skills Types of Drill and Practice

Improve automaticity of basic skills such as word fluency and math fact fluency Does not require teacher direction, can be used independently of the instructor Gives immediate feedback to students Usually include a reporting system for teachers to be able to track student progress Motivate students to practice skills Relative advantage of Drill and Practice

Fastt Math – Scholastic program aimed toward math fact fluency Fastt Math Mavis Beacon Typing – Keyboarding software by Broderbund Mavis Beacon Typing Spell Quizzer – Software to drill students on spelling words Spell Quizzer Grammar Shape-Up – Software created by Merit to practice grammar skills Grammar Shape-Up Examples of Drill and Practice Software

Types of Tutorials Linear Tutorial – These tutorials use the same sequence, practice, and feedback to all learners regardless of the student’s performance Branching Tutorial – These tutorials change in sequence and difficulty based on the student’s performance

Relative advantage of Tutorials Self-paced review of materials for students who need extra support Can be used in centers, allowing teachers to maximize time efficiency Can be used to present information if the teacher is not available Gives students a chance to hear instruction from alternative sources Can be used in a flipped-classroom

Examples of Tutorials Math Tutor – Tutorials aligned with Common Core Standards of Mathematics Math Tutor Core Learning – Company that has created tutorial software for multiple disciplines Core Learning

Simulations Teach about something Physical Simulations Iterative Simulations Teach how to do something Procedural Simulations Situational Simulations

Teach about something Physical simulations Iterative Simulations

Teach how to do something Procedural simulations Situational Simulations

Allow students to experience something that would not normally be possible due to monetary or physical restraints Highly engaging for students Encourage higher levels of critical thinking and problem solving skills Allows students to experience complex experiments and processes Relative advantage of Simulations

Starry Night – This software simulates different astronomical concepts Starry Night Layered Earth – Simulates earth science processes Layered Earth Oregon Trail – Simulates the journey of early pioneers as they crossed the United States Oregon Trail Examples of Simulation Software

Combining learning with gaming and entertainment Educational Games

Highly engaging, requires little teacher direction Gives students a break from the “normal” school routine Presented in a format very familiar to most students Relative Advantage of Educational Games

Knowledge Adventure – This company created games such as Reading Blaster, Math Blaster and others Reading BlasterMath Blaster Learning Company – This company created games such as Reader Rabbit, Reader Math and othersReader Rabbit Reader Math Examples of Educational Games

Content-Area problem solving skills – This software focuses on learning problem- solving skills needed in a specific content area Content-Free problem solving skills – This software focuses on general problem solving skills that can be applied across the curriculum Types Problem-Solving Software

Helps students visualize the process of problem solving in a unique environment Highly engaging to students as they receive feedback and work through complex problems successfully On their own so they are not overshadowed by other students “correct answers” Relative Advantage of Problem-Solving Software

Choosing Educational Software

Technology Today Software evaluation web quest Evaluation Form Websites to help evaluate and choose educational software

References Reinberg, S. (2010, January 20). U.S. Kids Using Media Almost 8 Hours a Day. BusinessWeek: Lifestyle. Retrieved from ml Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching. Boston: Pearson.