Educational technology is a broad concept naming the intersection of hardware, software, peopleware, and pedagogy. Under the umbrella of educational technology lies one of the most ubiquitous educational tools of the digital age - instructional software. Follow a high school student through his daily schedule and you will quickly see the importance of instructional software - art students create digital portfolios; teachers give Power Point presentations; science students peer inside the cell using online simulations; young writers peer edit and collaborate using Google Docs. The list could go on. In terms of depth and scope, no other development in the digital revolution has made a bigger impact on the education process than the adaptation and implementation of instructional software.
Instructional software can be roughly broken down into five categories:
The advantages of using instructional software are many, and are related to type of software in consideration. Drill and practice software as well as tutorials provide immediate feedback and save teacher time; simulations allow students to experience and observe phenomena that would be impossible or too dangerous in real life; educational games offer a fun way for students to reinforce knowledge and skills; and productivity applications allow a host of digital production techniques - giving students an opportunity to create and share in an authentic way far beyond what paper and pencil can accomplish.
For a presentation that explores each of these categories a little more deeply, click here.
Resources for teachers:
References:
Roblyer, M. & Doering, A. (2010). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Instructional software can be roughly broken down into five categories:
- Drill and practice software
- Tutorials
- Simulations
- Educational games
- Productivity applications
(Roblyer & Doering, 2010)
The advantages of using instructional software are many, and are related to type of software in consideration. Drill and practice software as well as tutorials provide immediate feedback and save teacher time; simulations allow students to experience and observe phenomena that would be impossible or too dangerous in real life; educational games offer a fun way for students to reinforce knowledge and skills; and productivity applications allow a host of digital production techniques - giving students an opportunity to create and share in an authentic way far beyond what paper and pencil can accomplish.
For a presentation that explores each of these categories a little more deeply, click here.
Resources for teachers:
- Downloadable and online educational freeware - A compendium of educational software available for free download, or to use online
- Open Source as Alternative - Have the perfect idea for software use in the classroom, but can't afford that $600 media software bundle? This website lists open-source alternatives to commercial software products.
- Evaluating instructional software - Some criteria on how to evaluate the value of instructional software
- Educational product reviews - Education World has done the work for you in evaluating a number of popular pieces of instructional software
References:
Roblyer, M. & Doering, A. (2010). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.