Instructional Software Applications in the Classroom

Today we will examine the use of instructional software in the classroom. We will be looking at the six types of instructional software option being used in the classroom today including 1) Drill and practice 2) Tutorial 3) Simulations 4) Instructional games 5) Problem Solving & Integrated learning systems. (p.82).

First, we will look at drill and practice software. Merrill & Salisbury (1984) research pointed out that drill activities can lead to better transfer of newly learned material to long-term memory through effective rehearsal (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p.84).  Roblyer and Doering point out three benefits of drill and practice software including immediate feedback, motivation for students, and saving time for teachers (p.84).  The example of drill/practice software I would like to point out is a online flash card study system for a professional examination.  It could be used in a athletic training curriculum to prepare students for the National Athletic Trainers Association examination.  This software can be found at www.flashcardsecrets.com/nata.

Next we will look at tutorial software which Roblyer and Doering point out has characteristics of instructional sequence and usually includes a drill-and-practice function (sometimes in form of games)(p.89).  Benefits of tutorial software are some of the same as drill/practice including immediate feedback, private feedback, and time savings (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p.89).  With increase curriculum requirements many health requirements are going totally online for high school level so tutorials can be very helpful, plus they can be very helpful preparing for professional certification exams.   The following tutorial would be good for upper elementary introduction into health for learning basic anatomy, it is a tutorial on the skeletal system.  It can found at www.sheppardsoftware.com/health/anatomy/skeleton/Skeleton_tutorial.htm. It is very simple and easy to follow, and include quizzes and games to test the students knowledge.

Simulation software benefits includes compressing time, student involvement, safe experimentation, saves money, allows repetition with variation, and can make the impossible possible (Roblyer and Doering,2013 p. 93).  As an certified athletic trainer you need to be proficient in blood pressure measurement which can sometimes be uncomfortable for the subjects you are practicing on.  This simulation would allow students to practice unlimited first on computer, making it easier to be proficient before practicing on real people later.  The could make things more comfortable for student and model.   Find this software at www.practicalclinicalskills.com/taking-blood-pressure.aspx.

As pointed out in our text some software overlap several techniques a good example of this is the skeletal tutorial I reference above, after students take the tutorial they can test their knowledge by performing quizzes or games.  In this software program the game has different levels for the students to attain.  Students are growing up in environment of video games, therefore, educational video games can be fun and motivate kids to spend more time on subjects (Roblyer and Doering,2013, p.96).  Roberly and Doering point out the following characteristics of instructional games; they provide rules, challenges student to compete and win, entertaining, create problem solving and practical skill opportunities (p.96).    The skeletal anatomy game can be found at www.sheppardsoftware.com/health/anatomy/skeleton/Skeleton_game_1.htm

Problem-solving software can come in interesting challenging formats , it encompasses some of the tools of simulations and instructional games.  Problem –solving software can help students work on mastering specific components of content area (Roblyer & Doering,2013, p.100).   This could be useful in the athletic training and medical field where you cannot practice on live models.  Example of this would be the following software (ages 13-18) for students interested in going into a medical career called ER 3.  It can be found at www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/problem/9/er3/merge.shtml. Several schools are now including health sciences class to expose students to different careers in the health care industry, software like this ER3 could be really helpful.

Integrated learning systems are online systems that can provide "both computer based instructions and track and report" students progress as it is used.  ILS activities" range from simple drill and practice to extensive tutorials", advancing to "complete tutorial systems intended to replace teachers in delivering entire instructional sequences" (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.103).  Before advancement of computer software students in physical education class have been taught manually how to monitor their heart rate in relation to intensity of exercise to increase fitness levels.  Today with electronic heart rate monitors and software to accompany them, students are able to track heart rates more accurately and keep track of how heart rate increases fitness levels.  Heart rate monitors  can provide other feedback such as distance ran or walked, calories burned, even body temperature to let students understand how different intensity level effects increase in fitness.  This software can be found at www.spreesports.com.

In conclusion all the instructional software available with the advances in mobile (smart phones, i pads) technologies, web-based tools, file exchange compatibility, integrated packages which can combine several functions word processing, spreadsheet, and databases continues to advance quickly (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p.115).   Therefore, the technology ceiling  has no limit in sight for educators and students in the future in my opinion.