Chapter 3

Teaching with Instructional Software

In Chapter 3 I found it very interesting and informative for the different types of teachers’ instructional software. Instructional software packages are computer programs designed specifically to deliver or support one or more kinds of learning activities. Of the different learning activities, two of them really stick out of my mind the most, drill and practice and simulation. Drill and practice is where students work examples items or problems, usually one at a time, and receive feedback on their work. Using drill and practice would replace work-sheets and homework exercises, and possibly preparation for tests. Simulations on the other hand are computerized models of real or imagined systems to teach how a system works. Using simulations would take place of lab experiments, role playing, field trips, encourages cooperation and group work, introduces a new topic, and can foster exploration and problem solving. For example, say you’re in a science class and you were to have the students dissect a frog in a lab. When using simulations it will eliminate the students who didn’t want to dissect a real frog. This is because it will be computer based, which shows the students step by step on how to dissect the frog like you would with a real one. I think simulations would help the school with money issues on their budget, but I do think that it takes away from students actually getting the real experience and they’re missing out. For example, using simulations for a field trip, as a student I would want to see the real thing and want to get out of the classroom rather than sit at a computer and see a museum. So as you can see chapter 3 brought up different types of instructional software that teachers can use in the classroom to help enhance the students’ skills and knowledge.