Blue Gumby's Instructional Software Review

Blue Gumby's

Instructional Software Review

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Drill and Practice Software

This type of software consists of questions that will reveal the answer or feed back after the student has responded. In a typical scenario, the computer gives the student a problem and then the student responds with an answer. The computer then lets the student know whether or not the answer was satisfactory or correct.

Hey, this software is not supposed to teach new concepts. It is there to reinforce material already learned !!! So get it right!

Practical Application: This software is good for specific learning problems and is very helpful for students that need to learn basic facts or skills.

Prerequisites: Students should already have some instruction in the related area that they will be drilling in.

Tutorials

Tutorials are a type of software tool covers a specific topic and explain a subject. With this type of tool, students can explore their topics. The students can then utilize the information and practice it and when they are finished, they can take a test on the subject material.

Listen up. I'm not going to have to tell you more than once that I don't want to see a bunch of text followed by pretty pictures. Only losers use that kind of electronic page turner junk.

Practical Application: This type of software is good for explaining a subject thoroughly

Prerequisites: Students require more patience and diligence when utilizing this method of instruction.

Simulation Software

Simulation software is a type of software attempts to model real or hypothetical situations in an attempt to simulate an actual event or process. You can change certain variables to see what would happen to a given situation under different circumstances.

I think that this kind of software is cool, but don't go wasting your money on junk. If the simulations don't represent the real world and aren't detailed enough, you could waste your money and be labeled a loser.

Practical Applications: This type of software has become a useful part of engineering, chemistry and biology. Computer simulation games have become quite advanced with major universities utilizing programs like Sim City© to simulate traffic and city planning.

Prerequisites: Teachers must keep in mind the grade level of the students and their specific curriculum when considering the purchase or use of simulation software. Good simulation software is hard to find, so be careful when considering a purchase of such software. It is a good idea to actually test the software a bit before actually implementing it.

Instructional Game Software

Instructional software of this nature requires diligence on the part of the player. The nature of the game is to increase motivation by adding game rules and by also challenging the student with competition from either another student or the computer itself.

Don't think for a second you can beat me at one of these games. Oh, so what if I don't have the proper fingers to play the game? Just because it requires a certain amount of physical prowess doesn't mean I can't play. What? You won't let me have game with physical violence in it? That stinks!!!

Practical Applications: Software of this nature will reinforce cooperation among students as they gain skills and use practice to learn the subject matter in either a group or individual setting. These are usually fun activities, so they not only help the student learn but also can be used as a reward in order to motivate students.

Prerequisites:As with other types of educational software, you need to keep in mind the grade level that of the students that you will be dealing with. Also, if it involves physical abilities, then you need to make concessions or find other related activities for students that have handicaps or disabilities

Problem Solving Games

Software of this nature helps students focus on developing component skills and also helps the students with general problem solving abilities. When used properly, these types of games help to develop the most complex of intellectual functions by giving students higher order cognitive processes to use in the quest for problem solving

Come on, don't make these games too challenging for me! I promise to have a good attitude from now on. Gee!

Practical Applications: Enables students to think about the subject matter from different perspectives while enabling them the tools to grasp the concepts.

Prerequisites: As with other software, you need to be cognitive of the student's abilities and age range.