Integration of Technology

• Administrative Support• Teaching/Learning Tool

– Demonstration/Visual Support– Student as User– Student as Designer/Developer

Chapter 3

Teaching with Instructional Software

INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE

Programs developed specifically to deliver or assist with student instruction on a topic

Instructional Software Classifications

• Drill and Practice – skill practice– Directed model

• Tutorial – information

delivery – Directed model

• Simulation – demonstration– Exploration– Directed &

Constructivist

• Instructional Games

–skill practice

–Exploration

–Directed & Constructivist

• Problem Solving

–skill practice

–Exploration

–Constructivist

*Simulation matches both instructional models most fully

DRILL AND PRACTICE

Types• Flashcard

activity• Branching drill• Extensive

feedback activities

Criteria for well-designed programs • Control over presentation• Appropriate feedback• Answer reinforcement

TUTORIALS

Tutorial types• Linear tutorials• Branching tutorials

Criteria for well-designed programs• Extensive interactivity• Thorough user control• Appropriate pedagogy• Adequate answer-judging and feedback• Appropriate graphics• Adequate record keeping

SIMULATIONS

Types•Physical•Iterative•Procedural•Situational

Criteria for well-designed programs

•System fidelity and accuracy

•Good documentation to explain system characteristics and uses

INSTRUCTIONAL GAMES

Game types• Rules• Elements of

competition and challenge

• Amusing or entertaining formats

Criteria for well-designed programs

• Appealing formats and activities

• Instructional value• Physical dexterity is

reasonable• Minimum

violence/aggression

PROBLEM SOLVING

Criteria for well-designed programs

• Challenging and interesting formats

• Clear links to developing specific problem-solving skills or abilities

Problem solving types

• Specific to content area

• General content- free skills

Integrated Learning System (ILS)

Characteristics • Instructional

objectives• Lessons integrated

into standard curriculum

• Courseware • Management system

Criteria for well-designed ILS• Good curriculum coverage• Good pedagogical strategies• Several different report formats• Easy-to-read and interpret reports

“one-stop shopping” approach to providing software

Integrated Learning System (ILS)

Benefits• Help provide supplemental

educational services required by NCLB Act

• Benefits of drill, tutorials, simulations, instructional games, and problem solving—depending on selection

• Easier to access via network or online

• Personalized instruction• Summary progress data

Limitations and problems• Costs• Research on impact• Concerns about the role of

ILSs

Courseware Evaluation

Essential Questions• Does it teach?• Is the content accurate, current, and

appropriate?• Is it “user friendly”?• Does it work correctly?

Chapter 4

Teaching with the Basic Three Software Tools:

1. Word Processing2. Spreadsheet3. Database Programs

Why Use Software Tools?

• Improved Productivity

• Improved Appearance

• Improved Accuracy

• More Support for

Interaction

Word Processing

Definition• Documents as a stream of text on a computer

Characteristics• Text• Graphics • Placement on page

Desktop publishing• Individual pages

Word Processing

Research• Improves writing• Improves attitudes

toward writing• More revising• Increased sharing

and feedback

Issues• When to introduce• Keyboarding skills• Effects on

handwriting• Impact on

assessment

Word Processing

Educational Impact for Teachers• Saves time• Better appearance• Document sharing

Integration Strategies• Support the learning

of the writing process• Dynamic group

product approach• Individual language,

writing, and reading exercises

• Encouraging writing across the curriculum

Spreadsheets

Definition• Programs designed

to organize and manipulate numerical data

• The program• The product

Characteristics • Information in

columns and rows• Calculations• Data manipulation • Charting

Spreadsheets

Research• Useful tools

– Problem solving– Statistical analysis

Issues• Spreadsheets

versus grade book packages – Flexibility– Setup

Spreadsheets in the Classroom

Teacher Productivity• Grade keeping• Budgets• Attendance charts• Performance

assessmentchecklists

Instructional Activities• Demonstrations• Student products• Support for problem solving• Storing and analyzing

data• Projecting grades

Databases

Definition• Programs that

allow users to store, organize, and manipulate information (both text and numerical data)

• Program• Product

Characteristics• Files• Fields• Records• Store and update

data• Queries• Reports• Formulas

Databases

Research• Acquire useful skills in

searching and using information

• Useful in inquiry and problem solving skills

• Increase teacher skills with lesson design

Issues• Information overload

Databases

Teacher Productivity• Reduces data

redundancy• Saving time locating

and/or updating information

• Data comparisons• Reveals relationships

among data

Instructional Activities• Research and study skills• Organizational skills• Create profiles (information pictures)• Posing and testing

hypotheses• Research/search

information

Recommended strategies for teaching word processing,

spreadsheet, & database skills

•Demonstrate basics•Assign individual practice•Demonstrate formulas and formatting features•Illustrate data relationship•Demonstrate procedures with new files

Software & ILSBenefits• Motivates students to solve problems and spend

time on topic• Retention of information• Slow down processes• Get students involved• Make experimentation safe• Make the impossible possible• Save money and other resources• Allow repetition with variations• Allow observations of complex processes• Immediate feedback• Save/compress time

Software & ILSLimitations and problems•Courseware claims Vs effectiveness•Effects of directed instruction Vs constructivist•Transfer of knowledge•Learning Vs having fun•Confusion of game rules Vs real life rules•Inefficient learning •Misuse/replacement of teacher or overuse•Hard to find or $$$$•Outdated quickly

Software & ILSWays to use• Remediation/Extension of lesson• Provide support in solving problems• Encourage cooperation/group work/problem solving• In place of or to supplement worksheets and exercises• To foster cooperation and group work• As a reward (be careful)• Lab experiments • Replacement or supplement to role playing, field trips • Introducing a new topic• Fostering exploration• Self-paced reviews• Alternative learning strategies• When teachers are not available• To assist in preparing for objective tests

Software & ILS

Guidelines• Use sparingly• Involve all students• Emphasize content area skills• Use learning stations or individual

checkout• Set time limits• Assign individually

Newsletter

• Communication with parents, students, school

• Medium for students to demonstrate knowledge of content area

• Student language development• Teacher provides supplemental

content