Types of Instructional Software

Types of
Instructional Software
Dr. Alaa Sadik
Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
www.alaasadik.net
alaasadik@gmail.com

Instructional Software: A Taxonomy
1. Applications
2. Drill-and-Practice
3. Tutorials
4. Simulation
5. Instructional Games
6. Problem-Solving
7. Multimedia
8. Teacher Utilities

Types of Instructional Software
1. Applications
Definition
A group of applications programs that is designed to automate
general-purpose and specific tasks such as word processing,
database management, spreadsheet, attendance, accounting, grade
reporting, scheduling and others.
Features
 acquire knowledge and insight about content and processes.
 enhance problem-solving and thinking skills.
 enhance students’ technical skills.
 enhance student’s personal productivity.

Example
MS Excel
Excel one of the most
popular spreadsheet
programs that can used
to teach management
processes and
enhance problem-
solving and thinking
skills in mathematics
and science.

2. Drill and Practice
Definition
Drill and practice software provides exercises in which students work
example items one at a time and receive feedback on their
correctness.
Features
 Reinforce instruction by providing the repetition necessary to move
acquired skills and concepts into long-term memory.
 Capture and retain the attention of students.
 Save teachers’ time and efforts.
 Personalize instruction by meeting individual differences among
learners.

Example
ECS Keyboard
Enables students to:
 Play notes on the keyboard
after seeing them written.
 Identify played notes by
assessing intervals from
played/written notes
 Playback written notes
quickly.

Example
Master the Facts
Multiplication:
This program was created in
response to teachers to use
in their classrooms to teach
multiplication. Students using
Master the Facts
Multiplication for as little as
ten minutes a day to practice
multiplication skills may
demonstrate marked
improvement in multiplication
skills on quizzes and tests..

3. Tutorials
Definition
A tutorial exposes the learner to material that is believed not to have
been previously taught or learned. A tutorial often includes pre-test,
post test and drill and practice activities.
Features
 Follow linear programmed instruction or branching design.
 Encourage students to interact, control and response to the
program.
 Guide the learner throughout learning from the beginning
(objectives) to the end (evaluation).
 Have computer-management capabilities (e.g. data collection).

Example
Auslan Sign Tutorial
This system provides an
easy-to-use and interactive
tutorial for learning the
basics in communicating in
the Australian Sign
Language (Auslan).
 3D model for signing.
 3D model shows emotion.
 Numbers Mode.
 Over 60 sign phrases to
learn.
 Random Quiz tests.

Example
Food Hygiene
This tutorial is designed
to teach students at a
school of medicine a
complete course on food
hygiene which concerns
food and the prevention
of illness and
maintenance of health.
Uses well-prepared text
supported by pictures,
audio and video clips.

4. Simulations
Definition
A simulation is a computerized model of real or imagined system
designed to teach how a system works and allows learners to create
their own sequence for using simulation.
Features
 Involve students into learning process.
 Compress time or slow down processes.
 Save money and resources.
 Make experimentation safe.
 Make impossible situations possible and controllable.
 Let student repeat events as many times as they want.

Example
Infinite Physics
Simulator
Infinite physics
simulator has a large
collection of objects
useful for optics
simulation including
mirrors, prisms,
lenses and other
transparent objects.

Example
Curvilinear
Friendly design,
users do not need to
get trained to operate
these tools. Using
buttons, textboxes
and slide bars
learners can run or
stop the experiment
and change the
parameters of the
phenomena.

5. Instructional Games
Definition
Instructional games are courseware designed to motivate learning by
adding game rules to learning activities.
Features
 Make learning fun and motivating (Edutainment).
 Motivate learners via the challenge of competition.
 Engage the learner in a situation where the learner is competing for
a high score.
 Include elements of adventure and uncertainty.
 Provide different levels of complexity that match player’s ability.

Example
Save the Math
Apples
Help the monkey
save the apples!
Click on the basket
with the number to
give the answer.
Keep clicking the
basket to add
numbers to your
answer.

Example
Jungle Jim and
the Donga Dinga
Drums
This interactive
game encourages
kids to play with
numbers and
multiplication
concept and win
points as long as
he/she hits the
right number.

6. Problem-Solving
Definition
Problem-solving software is a type of content-free or content-based
programs that places emphasis on critical thinking, analysis, logic and
reasoning via the presentation of set of data or problematic event.
Features
 Stress thinking processes rather than correct answers.
 Expose students to a series of activities that would help teach the
desired skills.
 Help students work together in small teams.
 Give students opportunities to see how information applies to actual
problems.
 Vary the amount of direction and assistance depending on the each
student’s needs.

Example
StressAlyzer
This program
provides students
with many problems
in Mechanics of
Materials to solve.
Students get
immediate feedback
on whether they solve
each problem
correctly, and they
are offered randomly
generated versions of
similar problems until
they can be solved
correctly.

7. Multimedia
Definition
Programs that support the interactive use of text, audio, still images,
video and graphics and manipulate them to support learning.
Features
 Enhance text only presentations by adding interesting sounds and
compelling visuals.
 Engage a variety of learning modalities (visual, auditory and possibly
kinesthetic) which can appeal to various learner styles simultaneously.
 Allow development of more engaging, persuasive presentations.
 Focus practice of skills that support transfer of learning.

Example
Scholar’s Desktop.
This program
provides a series of
modules for teaching,
using a combination
of media. Students
can visit many
museums around the
world and explore
many environments
as they visit it.

Example
MS Photo Story
This authoring tool
allows students to
create their own
digital stories using
text, audio and
pictures and export
their projects into a
digital movie.

8. Teacher Utilities
Definition
Non-instructional or administrative programs used to prepare
instructional materials or organize, store, evaluate and report
information on pupils’ achievement and progress.
Features
 Based on the principle of database management.
 Manipulate classroom and examination data.
 Permit the teacher to have untold amounts of information.
 Reduce the amount of repetitive paper work.
 Create and maintain lesson plans.
 Create and print a school calendar.
Example: HeadMaster 2007 [www.acstechnologies.com/headmaster]

Example
Head Master
Specifically designed for
teachers. HeadMaster
can handle grading,
reporting, and
scheduling. From
administration to
accounting to registrar
duties, HeadMaster's
flexible, customizable
interface provides a
complete solution for
your school's office.

Types of Instructional Software

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