Roblyer and Doering begin by discussing instructional software as a whole. The course text defines instructional software as “a general term for computer programs designed specifically to deliver instruction or assist with the delivery of instruction on a topic” (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p. 77). Instructional software is meant to do just that, to instruct. Drill-and-practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, and problem solving software are all different types of software used to promote classroom instruction. Grammar Bytes is a website that is an example of instructional software. Here is the link to the Grammar Bytes website. http://www.chompchomp.com/exercises.htm. I use this specific website in my class throughout the year as a way to reinforce grammar lessons that I have previously taught. My students seem to be much more enthusiastic about practicing their grammar skills on the Internet versus a pencil and paper.
Drill-and-practice software is the first type of software discussed in the course text. Roblyer and Doering describe drill-and-practice software saying that it “functions to provide exercises in which students work example items, usually one at a time, and receive feedback on their correctness” (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p.81). One of the many benefits of drill-and-practice software is that student can receive immediate feedback on their answers. This allows students to see their strengths and weaknesses in a certain area. The course text discusses how flash cards are the most basic example of a drill-and-practice activity. I allow my students to use a website named Quizlet. Here is the Quizlet website link. http://quizlet.com/create-set. Quizlet allows students to enter information and it will create electronic flashcards for students to study. Students found this website particularly helpful for terms tests such as literary and poetry terms tests. Students found Quizlet to be an extremely helpful tool for all of their classes, not just mine.
The second type of software presented is tutorial software. Tutorial software is defined as “an entire instructional sequence on a topic, similar to a teacher’s classroom instruction” (Roblyer and Doering, 2010, p. 86). This type of software is different from other software in that it is not necessarily used as a reinforcement tool, but as a “self-contained instructional unit” (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p. 86). Although tutorial software is made to stand on its own, the course texts highlights that good tutorial software should have some practice to go along with it in order to gauge student comprehension. Tutorials are also beneficial for both struggling learners as well as advanced learners. Tutorial software provides extra help and practice for struggling learners and also provides opportunities for advanced learners to move on to deeper concepts. A type of tutorial software that I have found beneficial in my classroom is a website named English Grammar 101. Here is a link for the English Grammar 101 website. http://lessons.englishgrammar101.com/EnglishGrammar101/Module1/Lesson1-1.aspx. This website provides explanations of specific grammar rules and has practice exercises to go along with it that give immediate feedback so students know if they are comprehending the material. This is a website that can be used for student instruction if there is ever a day that I have to be absent from school. Students can read rules and instructions on specific grammar skills, practice these skills online, then we can review the material when I return to school. Keep in mind that this would not be an option for all classrooms. My school has the 1:1 laptop initiative so students have individual computers with them in class daily.
Simulation software is the third type of software discussed by our course text. The text describes a simulation as “a computerized model of a real or imagined system that is designed to teach how the system works” (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p. 90). This technology is great for bringing something from outside the classroom to inside the classroom. An example of this that I have used in my classroom is a virtual tour for Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. Here is the like for the virtual tour site. http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/about-us/virtual-tour This virtual tour allows me to take students to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater without leaving the classroom. Students are able to see actual pictures of the theater as the tour shows and describes many interesting facts about this piece of literary history.
The fourth type of software discussed in the text is instructional games software. Instructional games are fun for students because they “add game-like rules and/or competition to learning activities” (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p. 94). In my classroom, I have found that students love to play games. They love that it brings some friendly competition into the classroom. Jeopardy is a favorite game to play in my classroom. Here is a link to a website that allows teachers to enter in information to create a jeopardy game. http://www.superteachertools.com/jeopardy/ I use the instructional game of jeopardy usually as a form of test review for either grammar or literature units. Students actually get excited about studying if they know jeopardy is coming up! They know that they will have to study the material in order to win the game. It has proven to be a great motivational tool in my classroom.
Problem-solving software is designed specifically to “help teach problem-solving skills” (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p. 99). Like the course text states, when I initially thought of problem-solving software my first thought was math. It seems like this time of software would be very beneficial in a math classroom. However, as I continued to read that although problem-solving software does mainly focus on math, it also focuses on skills in my subject area of English such as “sequencing, analyzing, finding and organizing information, predicting outcomes, making analogies, and formulating ideas” (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p.99). http://www.theproblemsite.com/wordgames.asp is a website that has problem-solving games that could be related to English curriculum. The Problem Site website would be a good resource in my classroom when we are talking through different problem solving scenarios. It is important that students learn problem-solving skills in all curriculums, not just math.
The last software discussed by Roblyer and Doering is Integrated Learning Systems. Integrated Learning Systems are defined as “networked or online systems that provide both computer-based instruction and track and report on student progress” (Roblyer and Doering, 2010, p. 102). When reading about ILS, one specific system came to mind, Blackboard. This is an online system that we are all familiar with. The Blackboard system allows us to receive the instruction we need as well as our grade reports, and we can access all of this information online. Here is a link to the official Blackboard website. http://www.blackboard.com/About-Bb/Overview.aspx It gives more detailed information about the Blackboard system as a whole.I have experienced the Blackboard system as a student and as a teacher. Because my students have laptops, we have a system that is the same as Blackboard. Blackboard has been an extremely beneficial tool as a student as well as a teacher.
This is a tweet I found from a UWA student including an article on instructional software.
Check out this article I found about instructional software. http://t.co/4IUtfxoPFh #ED5059413UWA
— Jerod Dunavant (@14_redbone) June 25, 2013
Kristen, great job! Your blog post is very thought out. You found some great educational software websites-some that I could use myself to study for my classes.
ReplyDeleteWow,Unlike most assignments, this activity was very useful (No Offense Dr.Ray). It seems as though with this activity we ALL found something that we can actually use in our classrooms, most of which were FREE ( A teacher's favorite word). So many times we are given tasks to complete that in most cases we will not be able to use simply because of lack of equipment, but this one is a definite home run! Great Job!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Timm that all of the websites and software that we found could be used. I hate that I do not have a computer in the classroom. Some of these website I would defiantly incorporate. I like that English grammar 101 and I would love to use this in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteKristen you really gave a lot of good detailed description on each software with references. I could have done a better job on that in my blog. You always point out the importance of teacher/student relationship and how technology doesn't replace it. I totally agree with you. However, there may be a way to use technology to strengthen that relationship even outside of the classroom.
ReplyDelete