Chapter 6 Academic Software By Jean Waldrop ETEC

Chapter 6 Academic Software By Jean Waldrop ETEC 562 – Spring 2004

Copyright Statement This presentation contains copyrighted materials. It is used under the umbrella of “Fair Use” for educational purposes.

What is academic software? n n Software that enriches the teaching and learning process. Common categories of academic software - Authoring Systems - Special Needs - Desktop Publishing Software - Integrated Learning Systems - Graphics - Others including Concept Mapping Tools - Reference Software - Drill and Practice - Educational Games -Simulations

Authoring Systems n n n Software that allows the educator to easily create custom computer-enhanced lessons of all sorts. Hypermedia/ Multimedia Authoring Software Examples: Macromedia Director K-12, Toolbook, Apple Hypercard, Hyperstudio (Makes “hyperjumps”) Web Authoring Software: creates multimedia products specifically for use on the Internet. Examples: Microsoft Front Page, Adobe Go. Live!, Macromedia Web Design Studio

Desktop Publishing Software n n n Provides the ability to create professional-looking printed or electronic pages. Example: Microsoft Publisher Things you can do: - class or school newsletters - posters and signs for classroom or school - customized booklets for reading, coloring or concept reinforcement - award certificates - flash cards and sight-word cards

Graphics Software n n n Software that can be used to create, edit, or enhance digital images. Clip Art Libraries Paint Programs Draw Programs Imaging Software Editing Software

Paint Program

Reference Software Digital versions of volumes of reference materials that are easily stored on a single compact disc. n Encyclopedias n Atlases n Grammar Tools n Dictionaries n

Tutorials and Drill-and-Practice Software: is designed to reinforce previously presented content. n Tutorials: presents new material with frequent opportunities for practice and review. n

Educational Games n n Present and review instructional content in game format. Examples: Blaster series (Math, Reading, etc. ) Carmen Sandiego series, Game of Life, Scrabble, Chessmaster 6000, Sid Meier’s Civilization II, Sim. City 3000.

Simulations n Software packages that present to the user a model or situation in a computerized or virtual format. n Examples: Flight simulator software, chemistry lab simulations, dissecting a virtual frog, virtual civilizations.

Special Needs Software n n Software designed to address the requirements of learners with special needs as the result of a variety of physical or learning impairments. Examples: software that reads words aloud as they are displayed on the screen, software that enlarges text on the screen, speechsynthesizing software.

Integrated Learning Systems n ILS are hardware-software combinations of equipment and programs designed to assist students in learning targeted objectives. It combines classroom management tools with tutorial software.

Other Academic Software Problem-Solving Software: Written to help students acquire and practice problem-solving skills. (Forming and testing a hypothesis, applying theories, and predicting outcomes. ) n Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI): any software that uses the computer to tutor or review content and provide a platform for reasoning with reference to content. n

Brainstorming/Concept-Mapping Tools

Conclusion Consider the software that will best address the needs of all learners and achieve your instructional objectives. n Takes effort to review, evaluate, and select software because there are hundreds of choices available. n Academic software will increasingly become a necessary and exciting part of teaching and learning. n