Sunday, February 3, 2013

5 Types of instructional Software


5 Types of instructional Software

Drill-and-Practice software purpose is to offer exercises for students to work example items, generally one at a time, and get a response on their accuracy. Types of drill-and practice software include flash card activities, chart fill-in activities, and branching drills.  http://www.superkids.com/

Tutorial software is an entire instructional sequence on a topic, similar to a teacher’s classroom instruction and is usually expected to be a self-contained instructional unit rather than a supplement to other instruction. Some examples of tutorial software are linear tutorials and branching tutorials. http://congreeforkids.net

Simulation is an online ideal of a real or made-up system that teaches how the system works.  Examples of simulation are physical and iterative. http://abcmouse.com

Instructional Games are technology-based games that bridge the world of gaming, entertainment and education in an attempt to bring fun and effective learning. Instructional games have game rules, elements of competition or challenge, and entertaining formats. http://www.superteachertools.com

Problem solving software focuses on nurturing workings abilities in or approaches to overall problem-solving ability, or offer opportunities to practice solving various kinds of content-area problems.  Content- area and content-free problem-solving are two approaches in problem solving software. http://www.criticalthinking.com

 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Web 2.0 Resources

I think that using Glogster was a wonder experience. I was able to let my students watch a video, and add links to the same web page. This made everything simply and at the touch of a finger. Animoto was also easy to use, I was able to go through a list of the planets to show my students. I chose the Voki for my free choice which students loved hearing my voice come from a robot and am alien. these technology tools are great for any age group in the classroom and can be adapted for any level.
http://alexanderk7261.edu.glogster.com/solar-system
http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=7437045&height=267&width=200
http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=7436624&height=267&width=200
http://animoto.com/play/aLBWdZ36ti9fWMXDcbaHvg



Saturday, January 26, 2013

Should students play games (software) in school?
I believe students should be able to play games in school, but there should be a limit on the time students are spending playing. According to Randel (1992) games are more interesting than traditional instruction. Instructional games also give educators the opportunity to take advantage of a student's ability to focus and hold their attention on the topic. This also makes learning fun for the students. Teachers should place a time on the instructional games because of the concerns of inefficient learning, classroom barriers, and confusion of game rule and real-life rules. Educators should follow certain guidelines when it comes to using instructional games: use sparingly, involve all students, and emphasize the content-area skills first. Students need the best of both worlds transitional instruction and instructional games to nurture the whole child.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

I am a Pre-K teacher at Mills Road CDC on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. I love children and I love seeing children learn, it brightens my day.

Katrina Alexander