Teaching and Learning with Technology

Teaching and Learning with Technology Teaching and Learning with Technology Chapter 6 Academic Software Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software • Supports and enriches teaching and learning • May include commercial or teacher-made software • Costs vary so review and evaluate carefully • Ranges from business to learning software Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Authoring Systems • Assist teachers in creating instructional software • Academic software varies by • Type of hardware required • Operating system necessary to run them Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Authoring Systems • Hypermedia authoring systems help teachers create linked electronic “cards” to teach specific concepts • Web authoring systems help teachers create create multimedia software to use on a Web site Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Authoring Systems • Multimedia Authoring Systems • Can create simple to sophisticated multimedia software • Teachers can make customized reviews, tutorials, and lessons Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Desktop Publishing • Electronically design and layout pages • Create and arrange text, word art, and graphic objects • May include a web authoring component • Useful for creating handouts, transparency masters, etc. Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Graphics Software • Can create, capture, and/or manipulate electronic images • Most productivity software includes libraries of graphic images (clip art) • Enables you to create or edit any type of digital images Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Paint Programs • Create and manipulate digital pictures • Include tools such as pens and brushes • Can be used for simple enhancements or to create high-end digital artwork Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Draw Programs • Create and manipulate digital drawings • Use layered, arranged objects instead of paint tools to create sophisticated drawings • Can create drawings, add objects that emphasize points, or create collages Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Imaging Software • Turns hard copy into digital images • Packaged with scanners • With OCR features, can convert hard copy into a word processed document • Photo-styling software edits and manipulates scanned or digital photos Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Reference Software • Digital version of reference materials • Usually on CDs • Often stored in a hypermedia format • Includes text, sound, animation, video, and graphics • can be navigated via links Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Tutorial Software • Presents new material in an instructional sequence • May be linear or use a hypermedia format • Typically includes feedback • Lets students proceed at their own rate • Not very interactive • May include classroom management Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Drill & Practice Software • Reinforces existing skills • Usually linear sequence • Presents key points • Asks review questions • Provides feedback and further review • May be called “drill & kill”—it’s repetitive • May include classroom management Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Educational Games • Present or review content in a game format • Solve mysteries by applying knowledge • Board/Card Game simulations • superimpose content on traditional games • Video games add content to arcade style • Some controversy exists • Does gaming overwhelm instruction? Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Simulations • Present a virtual model of an environment • Provide safe way to experience reality • Examples include flying an airplane or conducting a chemical experiment • Advantages over real experiences • Opportunity to adjust speed • Safety Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Special Needs Software • Can target to specific learning disabilities • Sometimes used with assistive hardware • Provides support for special needs learners • Readers can read scanned or computer text aloud • Speech synthesizers can turn spoken word into computer text Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Assistive Software and Hardware • Universal design offers material in strongest learning mode for the individual student with or without special needs • Can help with social/recreational interaction • www.cec.sped.org: Excellent Resource for information on special needs Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Integrated Learning Systems • Provide instruction and/or remediation • Addressed to target objectives • May include tutorials, drill and practice, and classroom management • Usually sold as a bundle • Difficult to fully implement in classroom Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Problem Solving Software • Helps students practice problem solving skills • May be content-oriented or content-neutral • Offers opportunities to learn • Doing • Test hypotheses • Discover strategies to solve problems • In math and science, can test concepts taught Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) • Originally CAI was drill and practice software • Now, CAI includes software that • Tutors, reviews, and/or provides feedback • Not to be confused with Computer Managed Instruction (CMI) • May adjust content level based on correctness of student responses Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Brainstorming or Concept Mapping Software • Visually develops ideas and concepts • Creates connections among ideas • Encourages creativity and deeper understanding Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Brainstorming / Concept Mapping • You can easily • Add and edit ideas • Organize ideas in relation to others • See the completed cohesive whole concept • Generates visual digital maps of a brainstorming session Allyn and Bacon 2005

Academic Software Academic Software in Teaching and Learning • Many software choices and factors to be considered that teachers must make careful decisions • Review and evaluation are critical steps before acquisition • Software should address objectives • Support and enhance teaching Allyn and Bacon 2005

Teaching and Learning with Technology