Zaneea Hall

Dr. Bailey

Instructional Tech. in Ed.

March 2nd, 2017

Software Functions Summaries

Drill and Practice

Drill and practice software functions to allow students to practice areas such as math,

reading, or science in a repetitive sequence, which also gives the students feedback on

correctness. Some examples of drill functions would be chart fill-in, flash cards, branch drills,

and extensive feedback activities. In order to fulfill the criteria for a function drill and practice

program, the program should have control over the presentation rate, include answer judging,

and have appropriate feedback for correct and incorrect answers. Some benefits of drill and

practice is the immediate feedback which informs students immediately whether their answer

was correct or not, motivation levels, due to students being able to control their learning, and it

saves the teacher time due to not having to take individual time with each student. Some

limitations would be perceived misuses which include teachers using drill and practice for the

wrong reasons, and criticisms by constructivist which is that the introduction of isolated skills

and directing students to learn them interferes with restructured curriculum. Teachers can

integrate drill and practice functions in the classroom by using it as a supplement to replace

worksheets and homework exercises or to prepare for tests.

❖ http://edheads.org/page/DNA
Benefits of this website is that children can select what they think is right, and learn about

medical processes. Limitations on this site is that they give the correct and incorrect answers on

the same tab, so children don’t have to know the content to get the correct answer.

Tutorial

Tutorial software is interactive software meant to give step by step instructions on how to

do something through a virtual tutor Tutorial can be categorized by either linear tutorials, which

are simple, and branching tutorials which are more sophisticated and complex. In order to fulfill

the criteria for a tutorial function, the program must have extensive interactivity, thorough user

control, appropriate pedagogy, adequate answer-judging and feedback capabilities, appropriate

graphics and adequate recordkeeping. Some benefits of using tutorial is that it is a self paced

unit of instruction. Some problems related to tutorials included criticisms of constructivist which

is that tutorials are too directed, lack of good products due to software publishers describing

fewer packages as tutorials than any other microcomputer software, and that tutorials reflect

only one instructional approach which hinders teachers from teaching to the full effectiveness.

Tutorials can be used in teaching through self reviewed instruction, the introduction of

alternative learning strategies, and allows for teachers to give instruction through tutorials when

they are unavailable.

❖ https://introcs.cs.princeton.edu/java/21function/

I think this website consists of linear tutorial software. Some benefits of this website is that it has

many different pages and subpages with step by step information. Some limitations of this

website is that I don’t see any way for feedback.

Simulation
 Simulation software consists of a digital version of a real or imaginary system which the

digital version is supposed to show how that system works. Different examples of simulations

that teach about something are physical simulations, which allow the users to manipulate

processes on the screen, and then there are iterative simulations, which speed up or slow down

processes so that students can see events unfold. Also, some examples of simulations that

teach how to do something are procedural simulations which teach the appropriate sequence of

steps to perform on certain procedures, and also there are situational simulations which give

students hypothetical situations and asks them to react to them.There is no set criteria for

simulations simply because all simulations vary in type and purpose. Although, the one thing all

simulations should have in common is that they should have a clear set of directions which will

allow the teacher to follow the program easily and be able to show the students how to use it

efficiently. Benefits of simulations is that they compress time, slow down processes, get

students involved, make experiments safe, make the impossible possible, saves money and

other resources, allows repetition with variations, and allows the observation of complex

observations. Some limitations of the use of simulation programs are accuracy of models, which

may cause student to receive inaccurate perspectives on the systems complexity, or the misuse

of simulations, which may lead to a teacher using simulations in inappropriate ways. Simulations

can assist teachers in the classroom in place of supplements to role playing, field trips, and lab

experiments. Simulations can also assist teachers with introducing a new topic, fostering

exploration an process learning, and encouraging cooperation and group work.

❖ https://reallivesworld.com/gamers/index.html

Benefits to this site is that there are many different scenarios that users can choose from, thus

allowing them to cultivate their own knowledge and experience.

Instructional Game Software

 Instructional game software consists of drill and simulations which have additional game

like rules or competition to learning activities. In order for the instructional games to be effective,

they must fit the criteria of having appealing formats/activities and instructional activity. The

physical dexterity must also be reasonable and the game must have social, societal, and

cultural considerations. The primary benefit of instructional games in the classroom is that

students are usually so focused on winning or completing the game, they don’t pay attention to

the fact that they are learning. While this is a benefit, it can also be a limitation. This is due to

students confusing learning versus fun, leading to inefficient learning.

Instructional games in teaching can be used to teach cooperative group working skills, in place

of worksheets, and as a reward. Game provide teachers with the opportunity to take advantage

of their desire of introducing new curriculum through a way the students will deem it fun.

❖ https://www.education.com/activity/article/alphabet-balloon-game/

Problem Solving

Problem solving software focuses on developing critical thinking skills by the user, rather

than specific academic discipline. The two main approaches are content-area problem solving

skills, which is directed toward providing prerequisite skills for specific kinds of problem solving

and content free skills, which is aimed towards motivating students to recognize problem solving

as a vital part of everyday life. Problem solving software can help students by improving their

interests and motivation, as well as prevents inert knowledge. Some limitations with this

software is that the software may make claims, but turn out to be ineffective, and that all the

knowledge may not transfer to other aspects of life. Integrating problem solving software into

classrooms will assist with teaching component skills in problem solving strategies, providing

support in solving problems, and encouraging group problem solving.

❖ http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/problem/

This website offers access to many problem solving gaming websites for students. Some

benefits to this website would be that not all of the links are functional.
Integrated learning Systems

ILSs are systems that give computer based instruction along with updates on the

students progress throughout the instruction. Criteria for the selecting process of finding

effective ILSs is that it should be based on curriculum coverage and pedagogical strategies.

Benefits of ILSs are district and state adopted academic standards as well as accountability

requirements due to the No Child Left Behind Act. Some problems related to ILS are the lack of

research on ILS and the concerns about the role of ILS. When used in the classroom, ILS

seems to be most effective when viewed as a supplement to other teaching methods and

integrated into a total teaching program.

❖ http://integratedlistening.com