Chapter 3- Teaching with Instructional Software
Chapter three discusses different types of instructional software, integrated learning systems, and using instructional software to meet the classroom needs. A computer program can meet one or more of the following five functions of instructional software.
1. Drill and Practice - provides an example problem for students to work and then delivers feedback.
2. Tutorial- gives students an instructional sequence to follow that is similar to how a teacher would typically deliver instruction.
3. Simulation- teaches how systems work by creating a computerized model
4. Instructional games- these games increase student motivation by making learning a game or competition.
5. Problem Solving- These programs help foster problem solving component skills, provide general practice in the approach to problem solving, as well as provide the opportunity to practice.
The chapter also addresses how instructional software can be used to meet the needs of the classroom. I like the idea of using instructional software to replace worksheets. I think that worksheets can become very monotonous and habitual. By using instructional software students might find leaning a subject more interesting because they are playing a game or interacting with the computer. I think that the key to effective student learning is engagement. Instructional software is one way of providing that engagement for students. When I was in elementary school my teacher often used the computers as a reward. I did not realize at the time that the teacher was actually rewarding me by presenting me with more educational material. From previous experiences shadowing in classrooms, students jump at the chance to do anything on the computers.
posted by jillybean9091 @ 5:31 PM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
I also like the idea of using instructional software to replace some worksheets. I agree that students will most likely find instructional software more engaging than a worksheet. However, it is still important to choose the use of instructional software carefully. My teachers in elementary school often used computer time as a reward as well. The book cautions against overuse of this strategy because the game or activity can lose its motivational value. Overall, I believe that using instructional software can be very valuable in an educational setting; we just need to be mindful about how we are using it in the classroom and what we are using it for.
I also would have to agree on using instructional software in the classroom but I would not use it all the time. Using instructional software too much could cause the children to not enjoy using them. Like my teachers, I would definitely use the computers as a reward because I think that the children enjoy it and also learn from it without using too much instructional software. With shadowing in classrooms I have experienced children fighting over playing the computer so the teacher had to have them sign their names so they would not fight over the computer. So there is a lot to think about when using instructional software.
I also like the idea of using instructional software to replace certain worksheets. I think it is important to never eliminate any educational tool because there is a time and place for worksheets. Students will enjoy using instructional softwares because they enjoy the opportunity to work on computers. I also think it is important to not overuse the instructional software because like any other teaching technique, the students will become disinterested overtime if you're doing the same thing on a daily basis. Create a fun learning environment and use instructional software as another tool to continue enhancing the quality of your learning environment.
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