This document discusses different types of instructional software and their functions. It defines instructional software as computer programs designed to deliver instruction or assist with instruction on a topic. The main types discussed are drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional games, and problem-solving. Each type is defined and its relative advantages, uses, and benefits are outlined. Examples of software are provided for each type.

1. Instructional
Software
Catherine Holthaus
EdTech 541
Spring 2014

2. What is instructional
software?

“Instructional software is a general term for
computer programs designed specifically to
deliver instruction or assist with the delivery
of instruction on a topic” (Robyler &
Doering, 2013).

3. Relative Advantage of
Instructional Software

Engages and motivates students

Supplements existing classroom resources

Designed to meet the needs of all learners

Cost effective

4. How to select instructional
software?

Review teacher evaluations

Contact the informational technology
department

Contact other educational facilities using
the software

5. Instructional Software
Functions

Drill and Practice

Tutorial

Simulation

Instructional Game

Problem Solving

6. Drill and Practice

Provides repeated practice on skill or
concept

Students receive immediate, detailed
feedback

7. Types of Drill and Practice
Functions Include

Flash card activity – Students are provided one
question at a time, select the answer, and receive
immediate feedback.

Chart fill-in activities – Fluency based, students fill in
a chart while being timed, and receiving feedback
upon completion of the chart.

Branching drill – The level of difficulty adjusts
according to student achievement.

Extensive feedback activities – Detailed feedback on
why the answer was incorrect.

8. Relative Advantage

Provides repeated practice on skill or
concept

Students receive immediate, detailed
feedback

Motivated and engages students

9. Uses

Serves as a supplement and in some cases
replaces the need for worksheets

Helps students prepare for assessments

10. Benefits

Helps students establish automaticity of
basic skills

Motivates students by delivering immediate
feedback

Drill and practice offers self-paced learning
activities

11. Example

Internet4classrooms.com has a wide
assortment of software available in
Elementary Language Arts Resources

12. 
Quizlet is an example of a flashcard activity
which can be tailored to meet the needs of
the students.

13. Tutorial

Not intended to be a supplement, tutorial
software is comprised of an entire unit or
lesson. Without any additional materials or
support, students progress at their own
pace. “Unlike other types of instructional
software, tutorials are true teaching
materials” (Robyler & Doering, 2013).

14. 
Tutorial software is comprised of an entire
unit or lesson and should not intended to be
used as a supplement. According to
Robyler & Doering, “ Students should be
able to learn the topic without any other help
or materials.”

15. Relative Advantage

Structured

Self-paced software which allows the
student to control the rate of delivery

Contains an entire unit or lesson

16. Uses

Self-paced instruction

Variable learning strategies

Accessible

17. Benefits

Students can work at their own pace

Motivates and engages student

Immediate feedback

18. Example

Skills Tutor provides complete units and
modules for students to complete at their
own pace.

19. Simulation

“A simulation is a computerized model of a
real or imagined system that is designed to
teach how the system works” (Roblyer &
Doering, 2013). Simulation software
includes procedural and situational
simulations.

20. 
“Simulations allow learners the opportunity
to model, explore, and try out a variety of
strategies” (NETC, 2005). Procedural
simulations teach the students to follow a set
of steps necessary in order to achieve a
desired outcome.

21. 
Situational simulations provide students with
a real-life scenario, which they must solve a
given problem or perform a skill.

22. Relative Advantage

Provides visual, interactive activities

Teaches students to follow a set of steps

Students experience a real-life scenario
without leaving the classroom

23. Uses

Supplements lab experiments

Teaches students life skills

Allows students to actively participate in role
playing

Virtual field trips

24. Benefits

Introduces and/or clarifies a new topic

Explore and process learning

Supports cooperative work

25. Examples

Ktouch-Touch Typing

26. 
Cube Creator allows students to create a
simulation summarizing what they have
learned.

27. Instructional Games

Marc Prensky refers to instructional games
as “hidden gems”. “Hidden gems are
kernels of ideas for teaching some of the
things we want student to learn using the
language of games, which the students find
so engaging” (Prensky, 2002).

28. 
Gone are the days when students are
passive learners or are shown, interactive
game based learning places the student into
an active role.

29. 
According to Robyler & Doering,
“Instructional games add game-like rules
and/or competition to learning activities.”

30. Relative Advantage

Engages and motivates learning

Level of difficulty increases

Teaches sportsmanship

31. Uses

Alternative to drill and practice

Authentic practice using a game concept

Teaches cooperative working skills

32. Benefits

Reinforces content skills

Captures student attention

33. Examples

Jump Start by: Knowledge Adventure offers
language arts games for students of all
learning levels to participate in.

34. 
Soft Schools also has a wide variety of
language arts games which will help
students learn new concepts.

35. Problem-Solving

One of the most popular types of
educational software, problem-solving
software is designed for students to “practice
solving various kinds of content-area
problems” (Robyler & Doering, 2013).
Problem-solving software focuses on
developing and exercising critical thinking
skills.

36. Relative Advantage

Emphasis is placed on finding solutions

Focuses on specific problems

Real-life applications

37. Uses

Experience in content-area problem-solving
skills

Experience in content-free problem-solving
skills

38. Benefits

Challenges students to identify problems
and create solutions

Engages specific problem-solving skills

Graphics assist students in understanding
and solving problems

39. Examples

SuperKids Education for the Future has a
wide variety of language arts problemsolving applications.

40. 
Orchard Targeted Educational Software
Reading Realities Elementary has over 26
titles in which student can participate in
problem-solving activities.

41. References

Northwest Educational Technology Consortium
(NETC) – Seven steps to responsible software
selection. (2005). Retrieved from
http://www.netc.org/focus/strategies/simu.php

Prensky, Marc. (2002). Open collaboration
finding and polishing “hidden gems”. On The
Horizon, Volume 10 No 3. Retrieved from:
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%
20-%20Open%20Collaboration%20%20OTH%2010.3.pdf

Roblyer, M.D. and Doering, A.H. (2013).
Integrating Educational Technology Into
Teaching, (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River:
Pearson Education, Inc.