This document introduces different types of educational software. It defines educational software as computer programs that aid the teaching and learning process, including courseware, classroom aids, assessment software, and reference software. Courseware provides entire courses through various file formats. Classroom aids make lessons interactive and help teachers. Assessment software allows students to take tests on a computer. Reference software provides online dictionaries and encyclopedias. The document also discusses customized platforms for younger children and specialized software for subjects like languages, typing, and simulated dissections.

1. EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARES –The best way to learn now………
INTRODUCTION
Educational software by textbook definition is computer software with the primary purpose of
teaching or self-learning. But personally, I would like us to look at Educational softwares as
all the softwares that help or aid the various stages/forms of the teaching and learning
process. These softwares support different file formats such as tutorial videos, electronic
books(e-book/pdfs) , web pages and others
And its from these various stages/forms of the learning process that we would derive the
major types of Educational softwares such as, courseware, assessment software,
reference software ,classroom aids and others. But please note that, teaching and
learning(education) as stated above does not limit us to only formal education but also
learning a skill or any other thing such as how to play musical instruments, typing, learning a
new language, etc.
So prior to comparing the benefits of educational softwares to our old school classroom
teaching and learning, I would like us to first consider what these types of softwares are
really made up of.
COURSEWARE
Courseware is a term that combines the words 'course' with 'software'. This is a major type
of educational software which is designed in the form of an entire course/program with it
learning materials varying in different file formats such as tutorial videos, electronic and
audio books, html pages, power points, etc. Also, if it is a home based computer training,
certificate would be generated with your username on completion of the course but if the
course was done through e-learning , then a certificate might be sent through e-mail or a
normal mail to the course participant. Eg. Mavis Beacon
CLASSROOM AIDS
These are special educational softwares specifically designed to make students get a better
understanding of what they are taught in the classroom. Classroom aids designed for junior
levels of schooling are mostly manufactured by book publishers to make it resemble an
electronic (audio visual) version of their books. But the most important and common feature
of classroom aids is its ability to make lessons very interactive and practical. And it also
makes the work of teachers much easier.
ASSESSMENT SOFTWARES
These are educational softwares with the primary purpose of assessing and testing students
in a virtual environment. The software allows students to complete tests and examinations
using a computer after which it then scores each test and outputs result for each student.
Eg. QuestionMark
REFERENCE SOFTWARES
As the name implies, reference softwares is that group of educational softwares from which
we make references from when we are in need of information. So in simple terms, they are

2. our electronic dictionaries and encyclopedias and as a result of this, many reference
softwares are the works of publishers of print dictionaries and encyclopedias. Whiles most
come as packages to be installed on remote computers, the most up-to-date ones are found
online. Eg. Encarta, Wikipedia, Wiktionary, the Sage dictionary, etc.
EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARES ON CUSTOMISED PLATFORMS
Some manufacturers and educationists have regarded normal computers as an
inappropriate platform for learning softwares for younger children, and hence introduced
customized child-friendly child laptop look alikes. With these, the hardware and software are
normally combined into a single product with its keyboard following the normal alphabetic
order but not the ‘qwerty’ order.
To end this introduction on Educational softwares, I would also us to consider some
specialized softwares designed for specific educational purposes with a major aim of self-
learning. Among these softwares include Driving test software, Language learning software,
Typing tutors, Spelling tutor software, Software for enabling simulated dissection of human
and animal bodies (used in medical and veterinary college courses) and others
Hope to meet you again as we go a step further on our next topic…………
HOW THE BENEFITS OF EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARES OUT WEIGHS THAT OF
CLASSROOM LEARNING………………….
E-LEARNING vrs SELF-PACED COMPUTER BASED EDUCATION……………….