This document discusses different types of instructional software that can be used in digital photography and graphic design courses. It describes drill and practice software, tutorials, simulations, instructional games, and problem solving software. For each type, it provides examples that are relevant to digital photography and graphic design, and lists some of the relative advantages they provide for student learning. Overall, the document serves to define different categories of instructional software and provide specific illustrations of how each type could be applied in a high school digital photography or graphic design course.

1. Instructional Software
By Greg Andrade
EdTech 541 | Integrating Technology into
the Classroom Curriculum

2. Content Area
Digital Photography & Graphic Design
High School
Grades 9th through 12th

3. Definition of Instructional Software
Any type of software that is designed to deliver
instruction and promote student learning.

4. The most common types of Instructional
Software are:
Drill & Practice
Tutorials
Simulations
Instructional Games
Problem Solving

5. Drill & Practice
Drill & Practice software allows learners to learn through
repetitive practice. Drill & Practice can be a simple or
small task that can consist of memorization, vocabulary,
arithmetic problems, historical terms, etc. The more the
learner applies drill & practice skills the more ingrained
learning becomes to the learner hence, practice make
permanent.
Types of Drill & Practice Activities are:
Flash Cards
Branching Drill
Extensive Feedback
Chart Fill Activities

6. Drill & Practice in Digital Photography
& Graphic Design
There are few companies that support the creative fields
however, Quizlet offers a flash card software for Graphic
Design on Graphic Design 1950 Final

7. Drill & Practice
Relative Advantage
• Game based instruction
• Motivates learner to practice
• Immediate feedback by the instructor

8. Tutorials
Tutorial software can be viewed as an electronic instructor
that delivers information and teaches step by step instruction
either through online web based instruction or through
software for a specific content or academic area. The great
advantage of tutorials is that the learner can view a specific
task over and over when remediation is needed.

9. Tutorials in Digital Photography
& Graphic Design
There are many tutorial resources for these two areas.
The most popular are:
Lynda.com
Adobe Education Exchange
Digital Tutor

10. Tutorials
Relative Advantage
• The tutorial process encourages learners
to practice.
• Tutorials can be viewed independently and can
be used for remediation .
• Immediate feedback by the instructor.

11. Simulations
Simulations are virtual models that can show or
demonstrate through either ideas, concepts, procedures
or methods. Learners can interact and practice skills
through emulating the tasks . Simulations can be
categorized in two areas:
Teaching about something
Teach how to do something

12. Simulations in Digital Photography
& Graphic Design
There are few Simulation resources for these areas
however, two sites that have both tutorials and
simulations combined are:
Design Tuts Plus
Kern Type: a kerning game

13. Simulations
Relative Advantage
• Learner is in and safe and controlled environment.
• Simulations can be viewed over and over or
can slow down simulation for better retention to
complex concepts, theory or practice.
• Very cost effective

14. Instructional Games
Instructional games can increase enthusiasm and foster
motivation through game based components that can
incorporate both drill / practice and simulations. This type of
instructional software can be very stimulating to the learner
because of its game qualities which can also stimulate
competitiveness.

15. Instructional Games in Digital Photography
& Graphic Design
Researching through Internet there were literally no
Instructional Games for digital photography or graphic
design. Yet, Adobe Captivate is a great tool to use to
create instruction, quizzes and games for any content
area. The only two instructional games sites were for
drawing and illustration:
NeoK12
Spoonful

16. Instructional Games
Relative Advantage
• Software is game based which fosters interest
hence, spending more time learning .
• Promotes skill building through repetitive learning

17. Problem Solving Software
Problem solving Software teaches the learner through step by
step procedures to solve the problems at hand. The learner
recognizes the objective, thinks of the steps in order to
achieve it. It can be through guided practice with
explanations and reasoning supported by the electronic tutor.

18. Problem Solving Software in Digital
Photography & Graphic Design
Researching the Internet there were no problem solving
software for digital photography or graphic design
however, this site presents the leading problem solving
software for K-12 learners:
Super Kids

19. Problem Solving Software
Relative Advantage
• Problem solving promotes critical thinking skills.
• Promotes skill building through repetitive learning

20. Resources:
http://quizlet.com/
http://quizlet.com/8620443/graphic-design-1950-
final-flash-cards/
http://www.lynda.com/discover/graphic-design
http://www.photography-colleges.org/50-free-
photography-lessons-you-should-take-for-fun/
http://type.method.ac/
://spoonful.com/video/how-draw-mickey-mousehow-draw-disney-characters
http://www.neok12.com/Arts-and-Crafts.htm