Chip Flemmer’s
Instructional Software
Relative advantage of using instructional software in the classroom: Instructional software can create a new and exciting way for students to learn. A lot of students that have difficulties learning in traditional educational settings, through instructional software, can learn the necessary objectives through a more interactive approach.
- Drill and practice: These are activities that help students understand various concepts at their own pace. Drills are generally repetitive and used to help reinforce a concept. Potential use for drill and practice would be in helping a student that is struggling with a concept or a beginning learner in that particular concept or skill.
- Tutorials: An entire instructional sequence on a topic. The students will need to be able to learn the material without assistance or other materials. Tutorials are generally for learners that can read well and are often older students or adults.
- Simulations: A computerized model of a real or imagined system. The purpose of the simulation is to teach how that particular system works. The learner will usually choose the tasks to do as well as the order in which they are done. One purpose of the simulation is that students often get really involved in the activity.
- Instructional Games: This is designed to increase the learner's motivation by adding games, rules, and/or competition to a learning activity. There can be great value to instructional games as well as motivation for student's to play these games. This is a great alternative to handing the students worksheets to cover each topic.
- Problem-solving programs: This is designed to focus on and teach problem-solving skills. These programs help challenge and motivate students. These programs can encompass one or more content areas.