180 likes | 274 Views
Integrating Instructional Software into Teaching and Learning. By: Derek Baker Texas A&M-Commerce Hall Director of New Pride Apartments. Overview. Drill and Practice Activities Tutorial Activities Simulation Activities Instructional Games Problem – Solving Courseware
E N D
Integrating Instructional Software into Teaching and Learning By: Derek Baker Texas A&M-Commerce Hall Director of New Pride Apartments
Overview • Drill and Practice Activities • Tutorial Activities • Simulation Activities • Instructional Games • Problem – Solving Courseware • Integrated Learning Systems • Evaluating and Selecting Instructional Software
Drill and Practice (Kill) Activities • Definition & Characteristics • Issues Related to Drill and Practice • Automatic recall of arithmetic • Keyboard proficiency • Graded compositions • Many schools still require students to memorize facts • College entrance exams & other standardized tests require quick recall of many facts
How to Use Drill and “Kill” in Teaching • Benefits of drill functions • Immediate feedback • Motivation • Saving Teacher time • Classroom applications of drill functions • Supplement/replace worksheets and homework exercises • In preparation for tests • Guidelines for using drill and “kill” • Set time limits • Assign individually Use learning stations
Tutorial Activities • Definition & Characteristics • Delivers an entire day worth of teaching just in another form • Issues Related to Tutorials • Well designed packages • Cost
How to use Tutorials in Teaching • Benefits of tutorial functions • Substitutes for teacher presentation • Classroom applications of tutorial functions • Self-paced reviews of instruction • Alternative learning strategies • Instruction when teachers are unavailable • Guidelines for using tutorials • Make tutorials as a learning station • Available for checkout
Simulation Activities • Definition & Characteristics • A role playing where the user needs to use critical thinking skills • Issues Related to Simulations • Very young children that are in the early stages of their cognitive development should use one fives senses compare to the use of 1 or 2 senses (eyes and/or ears)
How to Use Simulations in Teaching • Benefits of simulation functions • Compress time • Slow down processes • Get students involved • Make experimentation safe • Make the impossible possible • Save money & other resources • Repeat w/ variations • Make situations controllable
How to Use Simulations in Teaching (cont.) • Classroom applications of simulation functions • In place of or as supplements to lab experiments • In place of or as supplements to role playing • In place of or as supplements to field trips • Introducing a new topic • Fostering exploration and process learning • Encouraging cooperation and group work • Guidelines for using simulation functions • Choose the correct size • Locate one for topic
Instructional Games • Definition & Characteristics • Courseware that the function is to increase motivation by adding game rules to the activity • Issues Related to Instructional Games • Overused and misused • How to Use Instructional Games in Teaching • In place of worksheets and exercises • To foster cooperation and group work • As a reward
Problem – Solving Courseware • Definition & Characteristics • Issues Related to Problem – Solving Courseware • Names verses skills • Courseware claims versus effectiveness • Possible harmful effects if directed instruction • The problem of transfer • How to Use Problem – Solving Courseware in Teaching • Benefits, applications, and guidelines for using directed strategies with problem-solving courseware • Benefits, applications, and guidelines for using constructivist strategies with problem – solving courseware • Guidelines for using problem – solving software
Integrated Learning Systems (ILS) • Definition & Characteristics • Issues Related to ILSs • Cost of ILS • Research on ILS impact • Concerns about the role of ILS • How to Use ILSs in Teaching • Directed applications for ILSs • For remediation • As a mainstream delivery system • Constructivist applications for ILSs
Evaluating & Selecting Instructional Software • The Need for Evaluation • Courseware Evaluation Procedures • Begin with an identified need • Locate titles • Complete hands – on reviews • Collect student reviews • Courseware Evaluation Procedures • Selecting Software for Constructivist Versus Directed Uses