Week 3- Instructional Software

The textbook defines instructional software as "a general term for computer programs designed specifically to deliver instruction or assist with the delivery of instruction on a topic."  The book goes on to make a list of the five different types of instructional software.  These five types are listed below:

1.  Drill-and-Practice Teaching Functions- This type of software is used to teach students certain exercises by using repetition and feedback.  Students will complete a flash card activity, for example, so they will receive feedback after every question posed.  Although this type of software is used often, many believe that it is not as effective and causes students to become bored and dull using the software.

Example of software: http://quizlet.com/create-set
2.  Tutorial Teaching Function- This type of software is usually disigned for older students (high school or college level) and is made to teach an entire sequence of a subject.  Students using this type of software should not need any other types of help or materials in order to fully understand the concept. 

Example of software: http://chemcollective.org/tutorials.php
3.  Simulation Teaching Functions- this type of software is designed to create a model of a real or imagined system as well as instruct the student about how it works. Learners of this type of software must choose the tasks that they will complete and the order in which they are completed, which makes it different than drill-and-practice and tutorial. 

Example of software: http://genscope.concord.org/
4.  Instructional Game Teaching Functions- This type of software is a great tool to teach students to informatino that they need to learn in a fun and competitive environment. This type of software is great in terms of brindging the gap between the interactive game world and the educational world.  This software has proved effective in helping students have fun while learning the fundamentals of a certain assignment. 

Example of software: http://superteachertools.com/jeopardy/

5.  Problem-Solving Teaching Functions- This type of software is used to teach students how to formulate conclusions and solve problems in the content area that they are studying.  This is a helpful tool in instructing students how to find an answer that isn't obvious. 

Example of software: http://www.criticalthinking.com/index.jsp