Instructional Software

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Instructional Software

• While I am taking attendance, answer the
  following
• 1. What is good about learning from a computer?
• 2. What is not good about learning from a
  computer?

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Computer Based Instruction
Instructional content, activities, practice are
delivered via the computer to student or students.
CBI is an educational medium with its own
unique set of strengths and limitations.
Hannifan Peck (1988) The Design, Development
and Evaluation of Instructional Software
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Strengths of CBI

• Increased Interaction
• Increased Motivation
• Immediate Feedback or Remediation
• Easy data storage
• (e.g., learner responses)
• Learner Control

Hannifan Peck (1988) The Design, Development
and Evaluation of Instructional Software
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Limitations of CBI

• Cost of hardware, software licenses
• Difficult to review
• Heavy reliance on reading visual skills
• Unable to fulfill teachable moments
• Unable to recognize human emotion

Hannifan Peck (1988) The Design, Development
and Evaluation of Instructional Software
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3 Components of Good CBI

• Orientation
• Navigation
• Motivation

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Orientation

• Clarity
• Explain purpose, expectations of CBI
• All lessons, steps, tasks etc. are identified
• Learners progress is shown
• Consistency
• Placement of content, buttons, menus etc.
• Formatting of content, buttons, menus etc.
• Color scheme and graphics

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Navigation

• Clear labels
• Start, Quit, Save, Lesson 1 etc.
• Efficient travel
• Major places of reference are 1 click away
• Forgiving
• Always go home and back
• User control
• User chooses where to start, go next
• Quitting and re-starting

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Motivation

• Approach
• Learner has a role or mission
• Fun characters (cartoons)
• Color, Graphics, Multimedia
• Feedback
• Positive
• Detailed
• Varied

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Types of CBI

• Drill and Practice
• Tutorial
• Simulation
• Instructional Game
• Problem Solving

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Drill and Practice
The learner is led through a series of practice
exercises designed to increase fluency in a new
skill or to refresh an existing one.

• Replaces the dittos with tons of math problems
• Computer can remediate every student on the spot
• Teacher can only get to a few or one at a time
• Popular Titles
• Number Munchers
• GRE / SAT / ACT practice
• U.S. Capitols

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Drill and Practice Example
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Tutorial

• The CBI acts like a tutor by providing the
  learner with instructional content, practice
  activities assessments needed to master a given
  topic.
• Popular Titles
• Type To Learn 3
• Mavis Beacon Typing
• Various language learning software

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Tutorial Type to Learn 3
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Simulation

• The user learns from a computerized model based
  on a real life or imaginary situation.
• Popular Titles
• SimCity Classic
• Oregon Trail
• SimEarth
• Future Lab Circuits for Physical Science
• Population Concepts
• Civilization III

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Simulation SimCity 3000
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Instructional Game

• A learning environment in which learners follow
  prescribed rules as they strive to complete a
  challenging goal.
• Popular Titles
• Splat Degree
• Reader Rabbit
• Jumpstart series
• Where in the U.S.A. Is Carmen Sandiego?
• Logical Journey of the Zoombinis
• How the West Was 134

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Instructional Game Splat Degree
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Problem Solving

• The learner applies higher-order strategies and
  synthesizes knowledge to solve problems.
• Popular Titles
• Concert Tour Entrepreneur
• Freddi Fish
• Bailys Book House
• Sammys Science House
• Yodas Challenge Activity Center

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Problem Solving Concert Tour Entrepreneur
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Instructional Content

• Topics Skills What will they learn?
• Specific
• Calculate addition and subtraction of single and
  double digit numbers
• Identify countries on the seven continents
• General
• NEEDS the teacher to expand the CBIs learning
  benefits
• SimCity Understand city government
• Teacher can integrate the simulation by having
  students write a
• State of the City Address
• Create a city budget for the next 10 years

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Integration of CBI

• Transparent Use--Integration of CBI should
• Flow smoothly
• Compliment the teachers instruction
• Compliment the students completing a project
• Appropriate Accessible
• CBI as free time activity is WRONG
• ALL students should use effective CBI

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Your Assignment (in brief)

• Find 1 Instructional Software package.
• Evaluate that software package thoroughly.
• Complete the on-line evaluation form.
• Print and hand in the summary page.

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Software Evaluation Form

• Why is it on-line?
• Your entry will be submitted into our database.
• The database will be accessible to
• Future students
• Alumni
• Partner schools

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Things to Think About

• Possibilities
• How would this be integrated into MY teaching?
• Setting
• How could this be used in a lab? Or with only 1
  computer?
• Audience
• Which students would benefit? How?
• Support
• What additional materials or instruction would
  help support this software?