EDTECH 541: Instructional Software

Instructional software encompasses a variety of different educational functions that can enhance the learning environment of a technology integrated classroom. Instructional software is a term used to describe any computer program that is designed to deliver instruction or assist with the delivery of instruction for a variety of content  areas and topics (Roblyer and Doering, 2012, p.77). These software programs are designed to provide specific functions to meet specific instructional goals. These functions include:

• Drill and Practice
• Tutorial
• Simulation
• Instructional Game
• Problem Solving

Each of these software functions have distinct characteristics that allow them to meet different teaching and learning objectives. There are a number of advantages to consider for each of the software functions.

Drill & Practice
This type of instructional software allows for students to work content specific items and receive feedback on performance. This is beneficial for students because they can immediately reflect on why they are not mastering a concept and obtain the correct answer to further reinforce the concept. This can motivate students to continue to practice these skills and also allow teachers to save time in correcting student work. One example of a great drill and practice instructional software is Quizlet. This is a vocabulary building website that provides numerous different ways for students to interact with words to build deeper understanding of the vocabulary for a given content area.
Quizlet

Tutorial
This type of instructional software provides a sequence of instruction for a particular topic that can stand on its own rather than be supplemental to the primary teaching. It shares some of the same benefits of drill and practice, but some tutorial software is branching and can provide and change instruction based on student performance to better meet students instructional learning needs. An example of an open content tutorial is the Khan Academy. This can provide sequenced instruction with drill and practice and stand on its own.
Khan Academy

Simulation

Simulation instructional software can provide a great model for real and imaginary systems.

While participating in simulations students can see the direct impact that their decisions have on the models and make changes to the system without the costly side effects of creating these models non virtually. It can also allow for complex systems to be evaluated in individual steps and at slower rates to get a better understanding of what is happening. For science the Phet simulations are a great resources that meet all of these criteria for quality simulation software.

PHET

Instructional Games

Instructional game software provides entertaining, fun, and engaging instruction for a variety of learning activities. This type of platform challenges students, makes them follow rules, and provides problem solving and skill practice at the same time. These types of games motivate students and promote extended time towards learning the desired topics. CellCraft is an example of this type of instructional game for biology students.  

Cellcraft

Problem Solving

This instructional software does exactly what it states, its function is to provide the application of specific skills toward content/topic problem solving. This types of software promotes higher level thinking skills, that motivates, and helps student retention through application. Rice university provides Web Adventures that may be mistaken for instructional games, but allow for true application and problem solving.

CSI

I have experimented with a number of these instructional technologies in my classroom and have found a few of these very beneficial. I like having students create and embed Quizlet flashcards into their digital portfolio so they have a ongoing digital glossary of important vocabulary that they have made. Some of these instructional software blur the lines between multiple functions. I have had great results with the interactive tutorial/games found at Bioman Biology. These have really engaged the students while creating authentic learning at the same time. The Phet simulations have also been very valuable, students have learned atomic structure and the results of their building while also being challenged by the quiz type games that it also provides. The Rice University Web Adventures for CSI have been a great engaging learning software for my forensics classes as well. All of these instructional software's have their purpose and place in delivering technology integrated instruction. 

References:

Roblyer, M. D.,Doering A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching

(6th Edition).Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.