Instructional Software (Week 3)

Computers were initially used in education in the 1960s. During this time, computer-assisted instruction (CAI) was used to tutor students. Today, computer-assisted instruction is known as instructional software. Instructional software is commonly used for instructional support. There are five types of instructional software. Descriptions and examples of the different software are listed below.

Drill-and-Practice software allows students to practice exercises and receive immediate feedback. Examples of drill-and-practice software are flashcard activities, chart fill-in activities, and branching drills. This kind of software helps students achieve automaticty, and most students would rather practice using this method instead of the traditional pen and paper method. Spelling city is an online software program that allows students to practice spelling, vocabulary, and grammar. Below is a link to some of Spelling City's vocabulary activities. This activites allow students to practice matching words and defnitions. When all answers are submitted, it gives feedback by showing a "red x" for incorrect answers. Then, it allows the students to make corrections. Go ahead, check it out!

Tutorial software is intended to provide instructional on a skill or subject without the need for any other resources. A linear tutorial gives the same instruction for all students regardless of their skills or abilities. A branching tutorial gives instruction based on how one responds to questions. It caters more to the needs of students. Social Studies Skills Tutor is a linear tutorial that teaches geographic literacy, visual analysis, and critical thinking skills. This tutorial allows a level to be chosen, teaches the skill, and then allows the student to practice with immediate feedback and chances to make corrections. Lastly, the tutorial instructs the students to apply the skills learned with no feedback.

Simulations are abstract models of real systems that describes the important characteristics of the system and allows experiments on it to better understand how it works. There are many benefits to using simulation software. They are often much cheaper than their real life counterparts, and they are "hands on" so the student isn't just sitting there listening. Below is a simulation tutorial that gives students a chance to explore pressure within the atmosphere as well as underwater. It allows them to change certain chracteristics, such as the shape of the pipe, to see what effect it has on the pressure and flow of water. Once you click the link below, this next screen will have other simulations listed on the left side of the page.

Instructional Games are computerized learning activities that have game-like rules. These are popular with students and ideal for engaging students in subject material. Students see instructional games as fun and entertaining, but they can become very competitive. Quia allows teachers to create their own instructional games, and this website also has a compilation of games created by other educators. Verbs in Space is an instructional game that make recognizing verbs fun and interactive. Click on the link below to give it a try. There are many other instructional games on Sheppard Software where Verbs in Space is located.

Problem-solving software does just as its name implies, helps students practice problem-solving skills. Crazy Machines: Golden Gears is problem-solving software allows students to create machines and solve challenges using physics, gravity, etc. It's a real treat. You have to download it on your android or tablet. They haven't developed a Windows version yet.