Instructional Software today is not here to replace
teachers, but to enable them. This software helps in teaching and learning for
the kids which makes teaching much more exciting for teachers. Some instructional
software is intended to support rather than deliver instructions for teachers. Instructional
software can be anything ranging from: computer-assisted learning (CAL);
computer-based learning (CBL); or computer-based instruction (Roblyer &
Doering, 2013, p.78).
Chapter 3 discusses a variety of instructional software such
as: instructional games, problem-solving, simulation, learning systems,
tutorial, and drill and practice. “Software tools serve many purposes other
than teaching; instructional software packages are developed for the sole purpose
of supporting instruction and/or learning (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.78).”
Instructional software helps to give students that 21st
century (Y-Generation) skills to become lifelong learners. Student’s motivation
and achievement usually rises much more when instructional software is
involved.
Drill and Practice:
- The purpose of drill and practice is to provide exercises in which students work example items ad receive feedback on their correctness.
- Purpose of classroom uses: to supplement or replace worksheets, and to help prepare for tests.
- Activities: flash cards, chart fill-ins, branching drills, and extensive feedback activities.
- Advantages: immediate feedback, motivates students, and saves teacher time.
Helpful website:
Tutorials:
- The purpose of tutorials is to provide alternative learning strategies and to give instructions when teachers are absent.
- Purpose of classroom uses: programs that provide an instructional sequence on a topic that could be used as a teacher’s classroom instruction.
- Advantages: same as drill and practice, offers instructions that can stand alone, can be linear or branching, and self-paced.
Simulation:
-
· The purpose of simulation program is to provide models of real or imaginary systems that teach you how a system works. There are four kinds of simulation software: physical, iterative, procedural, and situational.· Purpose of classroom uses: to foster exploration and process learning, and to encourage cooperation and group work.· Advantages: compress time, slow down processes, get students involved, allows observation, and saves money and resources.Instructional Games:· The purpose of instructional games it to add game like rules and/or competition to learning activities. Can often be used to underline a skill or reward.· Purpose of classroom uses: replace worksheets and exercises; treated as an reward; and teach cooperative group working skills.· Advantages: appealing formats, increases student motivation, challenges students, and slight violence/aggression.Problem-Solving:· The purpose of problem-solving is teaching component skills in problem-solving. Students find this program challenging and interesting as it teaches them problem-solving skills.· Purpose of classroom uses: teaches students solving strategies, improves student motivation, and encourages group problem-solving.· Advantages: promotes visualization in mathematics problem solving, prevents inert knowledge and improves student’s interests and motivation.· Integrated learning systems are online systems that provide both computer-based instructions where it tracks and reports students’ progress.· Purpose of classroom uses: directed and constructivist uses, instructions that meet the needs of students. Also, helps to meet teachers/district account ability requirements.· Advantages: district-and-state-adopted academic standards, and accountability requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.
Reference:Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching(6th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon Publishers
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— Brittany Lewis (@BrittLew0712) June 25, 2013
I think some parents (and even some teachers) are worried that technology is going to replace the teacher in the classroom. But like you stated, it's intended to support learning and enable teachers. But I do also think that with the growing use of technology in the classroom, educators must be held accountable for their use of technology and must not become dependent on using technological resources for teaching.
ReplyDelete"educators must be held accountable for their use of technology and must not become dependent on using technological resources for teaching" (when you said).........My friend was just talking with me about how a teacher used technological resources to perform everything for her students. But when it came down to traditional teaching and achieving certain scores when the state came down to monitor the school, the teacher fail. This happen at a small town school near Marengo County. The teacher assumed since the school was already doing bad they would not come do an in-class monitoring so soon. But to soon it up you are right, technology is to help make learning fun. Not to replace your teaching methods (skills).
ReplyDeleteBrittany, excellent post as usual! I enjoyed reading and learning about the different types of instructional software. I do agree with you and Carolyn that it is designed to supplement traditional teaching and reinforce newly learned skills. It should never be used in place of teaching. I realize that some of the tutorial and simulation software is designed to be used somewhat independently of teaching but I feel that traditional teaching should still take place. I do believe at some schools, this type of software is used for foreign language instruction since those teachers are hard to find! Awesome job!
ReplyDeleteYes, I sometimes think educators rely to thoroughly on technology for teaching. Whereas, they forget traditional teaching. I cannot stretch it enough on how advanced technology has gotten today to improve learning, but is never used to replace teachers. I feel that tutorial and simulation software's are best fit to help foreign teachers and students. I am glad you founded my post very exciting----thank you.
ReplyDeleteTeaching is something that comes from the soul. No piece of machinery can replace that, but it can make it better. I love you pointed that logic out. Kudos to you and your blog post!
ReplyDeleteMy first grade teacher always reminded me of that statement, "teaching comes from the soul." You must love and enjoy what you do to have the ability to change someone else's life. Thank you.
ReplyDelete