Instructional software can be broken down into five different categories. They are Drill and Practice, Tutorials, Simulation, Instructional Games, and Problem Solving Software. Each of these types of software serves different purposes in the educational process. Click on my Instructional Software presentation for more examples of this software.
Drill and Practice
Drill and Practice allows for the student to practice concepts and receive immediate feedback. It is the digital equivalent to worksheets, but eliminates the need for constant grading. The benefit that the student gains is that they get feedback on how they are doing immediately. Many examples of drill and practice software will show the correct answer if the student answers incorrectly. This instant feedback can allow the student to practice correctly and correct mistakes they are making along the way.
Tutorials
Tutorials allow the student to learn new topics in a digital platform. Essentially they function as instruction but without the face to face lecture or notes. (Roblyer & Doering, 2012) Students can learn about topics and then transition into the drill and practice software. The Khan Academy is a good example of tutorials. In it, the student can learn new topics that they didn’t know before. They can then transition into an application like Quizlet to practice their new knowledge.
Simulation
Simulation allows the student to apply their new knowledge into a real situation. Simulations allow the student to predict the outcome of an experiment, and then test it to see if they were right. If the simulation produces unexpected results, then there is an opportunity to go back and re-evaluate their knowledge, or figure out what went wrong. An example of simulation that works well for Pre-Engineering is the PhET website. On this site there are simulations that allow students to set up physics based simulations that incorporate elements from the real world. An example that I use in my classroom is the DC circuit simulation. Students are able to create circuits and then measure the actual voltage and current in the circuit, and then they can compare that to their expected results.
Instructional Games
Instructional games allow students to interact with their learning in a more competitive environment. The competitiveness that is fostered in gaming engages the students and keeps them coming back for more. Students have to utilize their knowledge in order to progress through the game or to win against other students. (Roblyer & Doering, 2012)
Problem Solving Software
Problem solving software has students solve complex problems using their knowledge. The solutions to the problems may not be apparent, or there may be many different routs to an answer or solution. (Roblyer & Doering, 2012) Essentially, using this type of software allows the student to get better at solving problems. Solutions that don’t work may actually reveal gaps in the learning that the student can address.
All of these types of software belong in education. They don’t, however, only belong in an online environment. Many of these educational software can be implemented in a traditional classroom. Tutorials, for instance, can work great as a substitute for the instructor if the instructor is out of the classroom. Rather than opening the text to chapter X, the students can get a quality lecture from a tutorial. This can also help students that were absent from class. They really shine in an online environment though. All of the software types can be re-created in a brick and mortar classroom with out educational technology, but in an online environment, they are critical for providing the learning and doing that is needed in education.
References
Khan Academy. (n.d.). Khan Academy. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/
Quizlet LLC. (2014). Simple free learning tools for students and teachers | Quizlet. Retrieved from http://quizlet.com/
Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. (2012). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching. Allyn & Bacon.
University of Colorado. (2014). PhET: Free online physics, chemistry, biology, earth science and math simulations. Retrieved from http://phet.colorado.edu/
Drill and Practice
Drill and Practice allows for the student to practice concepts and receive immediate feedback. It is the digital equivalent to worksheets, but eliminates the need for constant grading. The benefit that the student gains is that they get feedback on how they are doing immediately. Many examples of drill and practice software will show the correct answer if the student answers incorrectly. This instant feedback can allow the student to practice correctly and correct mistakes they are making along the way.
Tutorials
Tutorials allow the student to learn new topics in a digital platform. Essentially they function as instruction but without the face to face lecture or notes. (Roblyer & Doering, 2012) Students can learn about topics and then transition into the drill and practice software. The Khan Academy is a good example of tutorials. In it, the student can learn new topics that they didn’t know before. They can then transition into an application like Quizlet to practice their new knowledge.
Simulation
Simulation allows the student to apply their new knowledge into a real situation. Simulations allow the student to predict the outcome of an experiment, and then test it to see if they were right. If the simulation produces unexpected results, then there is an opportunity to go back and re-evaluate their knowledge, or figure out what went wrong. An example of simulation that works well for Pre-Engineering is the PhET website. On this site there are simulations that allow students to set up physics based simulations that incorporate elements from the real world. An example that I use in my classroom is the DC circuit simulation. Students are able to create circuits and then measure the actual voltage and current in the circuit, and then they can compare that to their expected results.
Instructional Games
Instructional games allow students to interact with their learning in a more competitive environment. The competitiveness that is fostered in gaming engages the students and keeps them coming back for more. Students have to utilize their knowledge in order to progress through the game or to win against other students. (Roblyer & Doering, 2012)
Problem Solving Software
Problem solving software has students solve complex problems using their knowledge. The solutions to the problems may not be apparent, or there may be many different routs to an answer or solution. (Roblyer & Doering, 2012) Essentially, using this type of software allows the student to get better at solving problems. Solutions that don’t work may actually reveal gaps in the learning that the student can address.
All of these types of software belong in education. They don’t, however, only belong in an online environment. Many of these educational software can be implemented in a traditional classroom. Tutorials, for instance, can work great as a substitute for the instructor if the instructor is out of the classroom. Rather than opening the text to chapter X, the students can get a quality lecture from a tutorial. This can also help students that were absent from class. They really shine in an online environment though. All of the software types can be re-created in a brick and mortar classroom with out educational technology, but in an online environment, they are critical for providing the learning and doing that is needed in education.
References
Khan Academy. (n.d.). Khan Academy. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/
Quizlet LLC. (2014). Simple free learning tools for students and teachers | Quizlet. Retrieved from http://quizlet.com/
Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. (2012). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching. Allyn & Bacon.
University of Colorado. (2014). PhET: Free online physics, chemistry, biology, earth science and math simulations. Retrieved from http://phet.colorado.edu/