Chapter 3 Teaching with Instructional Software INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE

Chapter 3 Teaching with Instructional Software

INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE

Instructional Software Classifications • Drill and Practice – skill practice • Tutorial – information delivery • Simulation – demonstration – exploration 3. 3

Problem of Identifying Types of Software • Today’s software packages • Hard to classify • Several different activities • Overlap of functions in one package – Example: Reader Rabbit • Drill activities • Problem solving • Games 3. 4

Recent Trends in Software Design and Delivery 3. 5

DRILL AND PRACTICE Benefits • Immediate feedback • Motivational • Saves teacher time Limitations and problems • Perceived misuses • Criticism by constructivists 3. 6

TUTORIALS Benefits • Immediate feedback • Motivational • Saves teacher time Limitations and problems • Criticism by constructivists • Hard to find • Reflect only one instructional approach 3. 7

SIMULATIONS Benefits • • • Compress time Slow down processes Get students involved Make experimentation safe Make the impossible • Save money and other resources • Allow repetition with variations • Allow observations of complex processes Limitations and problems • Accuracy of models • Misuse of simulations 3. 8

Net. Logo • http: //ccl. northwestern. edu/netlogo/ • Click Download on the left • Fill in your information and uncheck the boxes • Pick the Mac OS X version • Double click to install 3. 9

Net. Logo • Files/Models Library • Pick a model to open • Click on Set Up before starting • Click Go to start and click Go again to stop • Experiment with changing parameters 3. 10

Net. Logo • Pick a Netlogo simulation (xxx) to examine in more detail. • Describe the xxx simulation and how you would use it in the appropriate classroom. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the xxx simulation (at least 250 words). 3. 11

INSTRUCTIONAL GAMES Benefits • High interest • Retention Limitations and problems • Learning versus having fun • Confusion of game rules and real life rules • Inefficient learning 3. 12

PROBLEM SOLVING Benefits • Motivates students to solve problems and spend time on topic • Keeps knowledge from becoming inert Limitations and problems • Many names for problem solving skills • Does it teach what is claimed? • Software claims versus effectiveness • Possible negative effects of directed instruction • Transfer 3. 13

Geometer’s Sketch Pad • Download at www. keypress. com/ sketchpad/evaluation • Choose Mac version and click download • Double click the sit file and Stuffit Expander will open and install the software • Open the Sketchpad folder • Open GSP 4. 06 D (not GSP X!!) • It may install some Mac Classic files and ask for a replacement font – choose any font and click OK • When you see the Evaluation Edition screen, click OK • File/Open (navigate to Desktop at top) – you may have to click open twice • Navigate to Sketchpad/Samples 3. 14

Geometer’s Sketch Pad Choose Sketches/Geometry/Area – follow the directions. Who can tell me what you have learned about the area of a right triangle? I will assign you an example xxx. Describe how you would use xxx in the classroom (assume you are teaching an appropriate subject). Discuss the benefits and weaknesses of xxx. You may use the example in a way(s) different from problem solving (At least 250 words). 3. 15

Geometer’s Sketch Pad • • • Sketches/Fun/Half Head Sketches/Fun/Cosmos Sketches/Fun/Headlights Sketches/Fun/Sheep Dog Sketches/Investigations/Rainbow Teaching Mathematics/Add Integers Teaching Mathematics/Distance Teaching Mathematics/Tangent Circles Tours/Quadrilaterals 3. 16

Biology in Motion • http: //www. biologyinmotion. com/ • Pick an activity and describe the type(s) of instructional software represented • Discuss how you would use this in the appropriate class 3. 17

Switcheroo Zoo • http: //www. switchzoo. com • Describe the type(s) of instructional software represented • Discuss how you would use this in the appropriate class 3. 18