Instructional Software: Learning anywhere and everywhere
The classroom of the future is one you can hold in your hand. Education is booming with so many mobile tools that learning become available everywhere and whenever. So what is Instructional Software? "Instructional Software is a general term for computer programs designed specifically to deliver instruction or assist with the delivery of instruction on a topic" (Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 77). It's important to recognize the difference between Instructional Software and tool software. Instructional software is specifically designed for the sole purpose of learning while tool software may be used in a number of different ways. Understanding the specific purpose Instructional Software fulfills in learning with allow one to use these tools more effectively. This web page describes 5 types of Instructional Software tools and showcases 5 different tools that can be used for learning in Release-Time Seminary with their respective relative advantages.
Drill and Practice
Drill and Practice-"An instructional software function that presents items for students to work on (usually one at a time) and gives feedback on correctness; designed to help users remember isolated facts of concepts and recall them quickly" (Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 421)
Purpose of Tool-Helps increase the learner's skills in whatever subject they are learning.. For example, it is designed more for memorization rather than analyzing. This tool helps to "sharpen" the learner's knowledge of the subject by immediate feedback and motivation.
Potential Use-
1. Supplement or replace worksheets and homework exercises
2. Prepare for tests
((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 86)
Relative Advantage
1. Immediate Feedback
2. Motivation
3. Saving teacher time
((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 84)
Example and way to integrate into Seminary
Scripture Mastery APP-This is a great Drills and Practice tool because it is always available for students to access and practice memorizing scripture mastery passages. One way to integrate into seminary is to have students keep track of their highest score and then post a screenshot on Facebook showing their "skills".
Link to LDS Scripture Mastery
Purpose of Tool-Helps increase the learner's skills in whatever subject they are learning.. For example, it is designed more for memorization rather than analyzing. This tool helps to "sharpen" the learner's knowledge of the subject by immediate feedback and motivation.
Potential Use-
1. Supplement or replace worksheets and homework exercises
2. Prepare for tests
((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 86)
Relative Advantage
1. Immediate Feedback
2. Motivation
3. Saving teacher time
((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 84)
Example and way to integrate into Seminary
Scripture Mastery APP-This is a great Drills and Practice tool because it is always available for students to access and practice memorizing scripture mastery passages. One way to integrate into seminary is to have students keep track of their highest score and then post a screenshot on Facebook showing their "skills".
Link to LDS Scripture Mastery
Tutorials
Tutorial Software-"An entire instructional sequence on a topic, similar to a teacher's classroom instruction" ((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 86)
Purpose of Tool-Used as a self-contained learning unit rather than a supplemental unit. It is geared towards learners that can read well or are older students.
Potential Use
1. Self-paced review of instruction.
2. Alternative learning strategies
3. Instruction when teachers are unavailable.
((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 87)
Relative Advantage-same advantages as Drills and Practices in addition to:
1. Self-contained, self-paced learning. This is beneficial for learners when teachers or learning programs are not physically available. Used often for military and industrial training and become more apparent in the education world.
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 88)
Example and way to integrate into Seminary
Online Seminary course designed in a tutorial software approach. This is a great benefit for those are not in an area with release-time seminary available to them.
Link to Online Seminary Resources
Purpose of Tool-Used as a self-contained learning unit rather than a supplemental unit. It is geared towards learners that can read well or are older students.
Potential Use
1. Self-paced review of instruction.
2. Alternative learning strategies
3. Instruction when teachers are unavailable.
((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 87)
Relative Advantage-same advantages as Drills and Practices in addition to:
1. Self-contained, self-paced learning. This is beneficial for learners when teachers or learning programs are not physically available. Used often for military and industrial training and become more apparent in the education world.
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 88)
Example and way to integrate into Seminary
Online Seminary course designed in a tutorial software approach. This is a great benefit for those are not in an area with release-time seminary available to them.
Link to Online Seminary Resources
Simulations
Simulation-"a computerized model of a real or imagined system that is designed to teach how the system works" (Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 90)
Purpose of Tool-Designed for learners to "choose tasks to do and the order in which to do them" ((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 90). Simulations are used to teach about something or how to do something.
Potential Use
Teach about something
1.Physical simulations-Allows users to manipulate things or processes taught through a powerpoint in a real life situation. For example, a chemistry experiment.
2. Iterative simulations-Speed up processes that happen so slowly it would take a long time to see the effects. For example, a seed growing. Also can slow down processes that are to quick to see. It is iterative because students can run it over and over.
Teach how to do something
1. Procedural simulations-Specific directions are given that the students can practice. For example a flight simulator.
2. Situational simulations-Hypothetical problem situations are given to students and the response the students give may be simulated. An example would be playing the stock market.
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 90)
Relative Advantages
1. Compress Time
2. Slow down processes
3. Get students involved
4. Make experimentation safe
5. Make the impossible possible
6. Save money and other resources
7. Allow repetition with variations
8. Allow observation of complex processes
((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 92-93)
Example and way to integrate into Seminary
This is a video example of a simulation. This teaches about the effects of pride. A similar simulation may be created in the classroom with different scenarios in which the students can act out after seeing this video.
Purpose of Tool-Designed for learners to "choose tasks to do and the order in which to do them" ((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 90). Simulations are used to teach about something or how to do something.
Potential Use
Teach about something
1.Physical simulations-Allows users to manipulate things or processes taught through a powerpoint in a real life situation. For example, a chemistry experiment.
2. Iterative simulations-Speed up processes that happen so slowly it would take a long time to see the effects. For example, a seed growing. Also can slow down processes that are to quick to see. It is iterative because students can run it over and over.
Teach how to do something
1. Procedural simulations-Specific directions are given that the students can practice. For example a flight simulator.
2. Situational simulations-Hypothetical problem situations are given to students and the response the students give may be simulated. An example would be playing the stock market.
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 90)
Relative Advantages
1. Compress Time
2. Slow down processes
3. Get students involved
4. Make experimentation safe
5. Make the impossible possible
6. Save money and other resources
7. Allow repetition with variations
8. Allow observation of complex processes
((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 92-93)
Example and way to integrate into Seminary
This is a video example of a simulation. This teaches about the effects of pride. A similar simulation may be created in the classroom with different scenarios in which the students can act out after seeing this video.
Instructional Games
Instructional Games-"Game-like rules and/or competition to learning activities" ((Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 94)
Purpose of Tool-Teachers use games as a way to add variety into their classes. Educational games are similar to drill and practice and also simulations but are different because of the rules set with each game. Effective instructional games should take into consideration:1. Appealing formats and activities
2. Instructional value
3. Physical dexterity is reasonable.
4. Social, societal, and cultural considerations.
Following this criteria educational games can be powerful tools in creating a fun, interactive learning experience.
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 95-96)
Potential Use
1. In place of worksheets and exercises
2. To teach cooperative group working skills
3. As a reward
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 98)
Relative Advantage
1. Provide a classroom with variety rather than a boring dry atmosphere
2. Higher readiness leads to higher retention.
3. Students will be "having fun" while in reality they will be learning.
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 96)
Example and way to integrate into Seminary
In addition to the LDS Seminary App, there is a very useful Web App that may be used to play as a class. This can serve as a change of scenery and also as a reward.
Link to Scripture Mastery Web App
Purpose of Tool-Teachers use games as a way to add variety into their classes. Educational games are similar to drill and practice and also simulations but are different because of the rules set with each game. Effective instructional games should take into consideration:1. Appealing formats and activities
2. Instructional value
3. Physical dexterity is reasonable.
4. Social, societal, and cultural considerations.
Following this criteria educational games can be powerful tools in creating a fun, interactive learning experience.
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 95-96)
Potential Use
1. In place of worksheets and exercises
2. To teach cooperative group working skills
3. As a reward
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 98)
Relative Advantage
1. Provide a classroom with variety rather than a boring dry atmosphere
2. Higher readiness leads to higher retention.
3. Students will be "having fun" while in reality they will be learning.
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 96)
Example and way to integrate into Seminary
In addition to the LDS Seminary App, there is a very useful Web App that may be used to play as a class. This can serve as a change of scenery and also as a reward.
Link to Scripture Mastery Web App
Problem Solving Software
Problem Solving Software-Focuses "on fostering component skills in or approaches to general problem-solving ability, or provide opportunities to practice solving various kinds of content-area problems" (Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 99)
Purpose of Tool
Designed to specifically help with problem solving situations. Three main components describe its purpose:
1. Recognition of a goal (an opportunity for solving a problem)
2. A process (a sequence of physical activities or operations)
3. Mental activity (cognitive operation to pursue a solution)
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 99)
Potential Use
1. Content-area problem-solving skills
2. Content-free problem-solving skills
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 99)
Relative Advantage
1. Promotes visualization in mathematics problem solving.
2. Improved interest and motivation
3. Prevents inert knowledge
Example and way to integrate into Seminary
Setting up scenarios is a great way to use problem solving in the classroom. One app that is helpful to use as a resource is the LDS Gospel Library App. This app has volumes of Church literature and scriptures with easy to use search features. Found on a resource website for seminary teachers is the problem solving method specifically addressed and suggested.
Link to LDS Gospel Library App
Purpose of Tool
Designed to specifically help with problem solving situations. Three main components describe its purpose:
1. Recognition of a goal (an opportunity for solving a problem)
2. A process (a sequence of physical activities or operations)
3. Mental activity (cognitive operation to pursue a solution)
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 99)
Potential Use
1. Content-area problem-solving skills
2. Content-free problem-solving skills
(Roblyer & Doering, 2013 p. 99)
Relative Advantage
1. Promotes visualization in mathematics problem solving.
2. Improved interest and motivation
3. Prevents inert knowledge
Example and way to integrate into Seminary
Setting up scenarios is a great way to use problem solving in the classroom. One app that is helpful to use as a resource is the LDS Gospel Library App. This app has volumes of Church literature and scriptures with easy to use search features. Found on a resource website for seminary teachers is the problem solving method specifically addressed and suggested.
Link to LDS Gospel Library App
Conclusion
Exploring the many available tools for learning that are found today can lead to the discovery that Instructional Software is becoming more abundant, more effective, and more mobile. With these exciting improvements to education, students of today can learn anytime which will lead to higher education and learning in the future.
Resources
LDS Scripture Mastery
Online Seminary Resources
Scripture Mastery Web AppLDS Gospel Library App
Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2013). Integrating education technology into teaching. (6th ed., pp. 24-27). Pearson.
LDS Scripture Mastery
Online Seminary Resources
Scripture Mastery Web AppLDS Gospel Library App
Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2013). Integrating education technology into teaching. (6th ed., pp. 24-27). Pearson.