Integrating Instructional Software Integrating Instructional Software into Teaching and Learninginto Teaching and Learning

By: Derek BakerBy: Derek Baker

Texas A&M-CommerceTexas A&M-Commerce

Hall Director of New Pride ApartmentsHall Director of New Pride Apartments

OverviewOverview

Drill and Practice ActivitiesDrill and Practice ActivitiesTutorial ActivitiesTutorial ActivitiesSimulation ActivitiesSimulation ActivitiesInstructional GamesInstructional GamesProblem – Solving CoursewareProblem – Solving CoursewareIntegrated Learning SystemsIntegrated Learning SystemsEvaluating and Selecting Instructional SoftwareEvaluating and Selecting Instructional Software

Drill and Practice (Kill) ActivitiesDrill and Practice (Kill) ActivitiesDefinition & Definition & CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Issues Related to Drill Issues Related to Drill and Practiceand Practice– Automatic recall of Automatic recall of

arithmeticarithmetic– Keyboard proficiencyKeyboard proficiency– Graded compositionsGraded compositions– Many schools still require Many schools still require

students to memorize factsstudents to memorize facts– College entrance exams & College entrance exams &

other standardized tests other standardized tests require quick recall of many require quick recall of many factsfacts

How to Use Drill and “Kill” in TeachingHow to Use Drill and “Kill” in Teaching

Benefits of drill functionsBenefits of drill functions– Immediate feedbackImmediate feedback– MotivationMotivation– Saving Teacher timeSaving Teacher time

Classroom applications of drill functionsClassroom applications of drill functions– Supplement/replace worksheets and homework Supplement/replace worksheets and homework

exercisesexercises– In preparation for testsIn preparation for tests

Guidelines for using drill and “kill”Guidelines for using drill and “kill”– Set time limitsSet time limits– Assign individually Use learning stationsAssign individually Use learning stations

Tutorial ActivitiesTutorial Activities

Definition & Definition & CharacteristicsCharacteristics– Delivers an entire day Delivers an entire day

worth of teaching just worth of teaching just in another formin another form

Issues Related to Issues Related to TutorialsTutorials– Well designed Well designed

packagespackages– CostCost

How to use Tutorials in TeachingHow to use Tutorials in Teaching

Benefits of tutorial functionsBenefits of tutorial functions– Substitutes for teacher presentationSubstitutes for teacher presentation

Classroom applications of tutorial functionsClassroom applications of tutorial functions– Self-paced reviews of instructionSelf-paced reviews of instruction– Alternative learning strategiesAlternative learning strategies– Instruction when teachers are unavailableInstruction when teachers are unavailable

Guidelines for using tutorialsGuidelines for using tutorials– Make tutorials as a learning stationMake tutorials as a learning station– Available for checkoutAvailable for checkout

Simulation ActivitiesSimulation Activities

Definition & Definition & CharacteristicsCharacteristics– A role playing where the A role playing where the

user needs to use critical user needs to use critical thinking skillsthinking skills

Issues Related to Issues Related to SimulationsSimulations– Very young children that are Very young children that are

in the early stages of their in the early stages of their cognitive development cognitive development should use one fives senses should use one fives senses compare to the use of 1 or 2 compare to the use of 1 or 2 senses (eyes and/or ears)senses (eyes and/or ears)

How to Use Simulations in TeachingHow to Use Simulations in Teaching

Benefits of simulation functionsBenefits of simulation functions– Compress timeCompress time– Slow down processesSlow down processes– Get students involvedGet students involved– Make experimentation safeMake experimentation safe– Make the impossible possibleMake the impossible possible– Save money & other resourcesSave money & other resources– Repeat w/ variationsRepeat w/ variations– Make situations controllableMake situations controllable

How to Use Simulations in Teaching How to Use Simulations in Teaching (cont.)(cont.)

Classroom applications of simulation functionsClassroom applications of simulation functions– In place of or as supplements to lab experimentsIn place of or as supplements to lab experiments– In place of or as supplements to role playingIn place of or as supplements to role playing– In place of or as supplements to field tripsIn place of or as supplements to field trips– Introducing a new topicIntroducing a new topic– Fostering exploration and process learningFostering exploration and process learning– Encouraging cooperation and group workEncouraging cooperation and group work

Guidelines for using simulation functionsGuidelines for using simulation functions– Choose the correct sizeChoose the correct size– Locate one for topicLocate one for topic

Instructional GamesInstructional Games

Definition & CharacteristicsDefinition & Characteristics– Courseware that the function is to increase motivation by adding Courseware that the function is to increase motivation by adding

game rules to the activitygame rules to the activity

Issues Related to Instructional GamesIssues Related to Instructional Games– Overused and misusedOverused and misused

How to Use Instructional Games in TeachingHow to Use Instructional Games in Teaching– In place of worksheets and exercisesIn place of worksheets and exercises– To foster cooperation and group workTo foster cooperation and group work– As a rewardAs a reward

Problem – Solving CoursewareProblem – Solving Courseware

Definition & CharacteristicsDefinition & CharacteristicsIssues Related to Problem – Solving CoursewareIssues Related to Problem – Solving Courseware– Names verses skillsNames verses skills– Courseware claims versus effectivenessCourseware claims versus effectiveness– Possible harmful effects if directed instructionPossible harmful effects if directed instruction– The problem of transferThe problem of transfer

How to Use Problem – Solving Courseware in TeachingHow to Use Problem – Solving Courseware in Teaching– Benefits, applications, and guidelines for using directed Benefits, applications, and guidelines for using directed

strategies with problem-solving coursewarestrategies with problem-solving courseware– Benefits, applications, and guidelines for using constructivist Benefits, applications, and guidelines for using constructivist

strategies with problem – solving coursewarestrategies with problem – solving courseware– Guidelines for using problem – solving softwareGuidelines for using problem – solving software

Integrated Learning Systems Integrated Learning Systems (ILS)(ILS)

Definition & CharacteristicsDefinition & CharacteristicsIssues Related to ILSsIssues Related to ILSs– Cost of ILSCost of ILS– Research on ILS impactResearch on ILS impact– Concerns about the role of ILSConcerns about the role of ILS

How to Use ILSs in TeachingHow to Use ILSs in Teaching– Directed applications for ILSsDirected applications for ILSs

For remediationFor remediationAs a mainstream delivery systemAs a mainstream delivery system

– Constructivist applications for ILSsConstructivist applications for ILSs

Evaluating & Selecting Instructional Evaluating & Selecting Instructional SoftwareSoftware

The Need for EvaluationThe Need for EvaluationCourseware Evaluation ProceduresCourseware Evaluation Procedures– Begin with an identified needBegin with an identified need– Locate titlesLocate titles– Complete hands – on reviewsComplete hands – on reviews– Collect student reviewsCollect student reviews

Courseware Evaluation ProceduresCourseware Evaluation ProceduresSelecting Software for Constructivist Versus Selecting Software for Constructivist Versus Directed UsesDirected Uses