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Educational Software Evaluating software is not a simple task. It is necessary for every educator to develop sufficient software literacy. What is appropriate software for the classroom? How do I limit my search without limiting valuable resources? What criteria can I use to make a formative judgment? How do I tryout the software to know it does what it states? What is appropriate software for the classroom? What is academic software? Academic software includes the wide variety of software packages that can be used to enrich the teaching and learning environment for both teachers and students. Academic software can be used to help the learner acquire targeted competencies. Academic software and/or computer-assisted instruction (CAI) can provide the student with practice in problem solving in math; it can also serve as a tutorial in history and provide further drill and practice in English. There are different types of CAI: (1) tutorial, (2) simulation, (3) drill-and-practice, (4) problem solving, and (5) educational games. Software designed to teach new content or reinforce a lesson can assist an educator in addressing learner needs. Tutorial software presents new material, usually in a carefully orchestrated instructional sequences with frequent opportunities for practice and review. Whereas tutorials may present new material, drill-and-practice software is designed to reinforce previously presented content. Drill-and-practice software is used to question learners on key content points to give them the opportunity to practice content by responding to specific questions. This type of software provides instant feedback as to the correctness of a response. Educational games present and review instructional content in a game format. Content is repackaged so that it is furnished within the framework of a sequence of game rules and graphics. Although educational games may present the same competencies as drill-and-practice or tutorial software, they are often better received by learners because the game component adds an element of interest and entertainment. Problem-solving skills are necessary in a complex world, and a good way to develop these skills is to practice solving problems. The critical thinking needed for problem solving can be practiced in any content area. Problem-solving programs emphasize cooperation and are suitable for small groups or individual students. In simulation programs, students take risks as if they were confronted with real-life situations without having to suffer the consequences of failure. Students can experiment with dangerous chemicals on the computer screen and not be in danger from the actual chemicals. With laboratory simulations, there is no expensive lab equipment to buy and students can observe the results without waiting a long time for the effects of experimental conditions. Many educators feel that a well-designed simulation software affords students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in more realist situations which enhances students' learning. To future understand the steps needed to select software for the classroom,
explore the following ERIC document: Seven
Steps to Responsible Software Selection How do I limit my search without limiting valuable resources? You need to narrow down your search by reading other software reviews and descriptions in order to identify what software tools are available and how other educators have been using them in the classroom. Explore the following resources to identify a few software packages:
What criteria can I use to make a formative judgment? How do you select the best software? You will need to create an original software evaluation rubric with clear and comprehensive criteria to help you formulate this judgment. You will discuss the main categories of the rubric in your written report but type up the rubric separately and turn it in with your report. Use information from the following web sites to help you create the evaluation criteria.
How do I tryout the software to know it does what it states? Seeing is believing. Based on your research findings, you need to test out the software programs that appear most interesting. You need to evaluate at least two software programs for every group member. You can try to download a trial version from the web, or see if they are available in the Instructional Resource Center (second floor of the library). These software company links may be a good place to start, as well:
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Last updated 07/07 |