This slideshow discusses several different types of educational software, the relative advantages of using them, and provides examples of each.

1. Relative Advantage -
Software Types
Tammi Gearhart, EdTech 541
Spring ’11

2. Drill and Practice
Drill and practice software reinforces skills through
repetition.

3. Relative Advantage
The game-style approach engages students and motivates
them to practice.

4. Example
MathBlaster is an arcade-
style game that provides
repetition on various levels
of math facts in an engaging
way.
Also available online for
free at http://
www.mathblaster.com/
Picture Source: http://moralde.com/math-blaster-software/

5. Integration
Mathblaster is a piece of software that is best used
individually. It could be used as a center or students
could be assigned times to rotate through it as morning
work or when assignments are done.

6. Other Examples
Flash Action Colors, Shapes & More
Jump Start Learning Games: A B C’s
Franklin the Turtle: Goes to School

7. Tutorials
Tutorials seek to instruct or build skills through
following a scope and sequence, much like in a teacher-
directed lesson.

8. Relative Advantage
Tutorials have the benefit of allowing a student to move
through the information at his or her own pace and
make mistakes in private.

9. Example
Mavis Beacon Keyboarding for
Kidz is an example of a tutorial
for elementary children. There
are few tutorials for the
elementary level.
Picture Source: http://www.broderbund.com/p-121-mavis-beacon-keyboarding-kidz.aspx

10. Integration
Using a typing tutor would need to be done as an
individual. However, since students often fail to pay
attention to key elements of keyboarding (proper
finger placement, posture, etc.), it would be best used
while a teacher was available to give additional
feedback to the student. This could be used during
whole-class instruction or during a summer camp
experience.

11. Other Examples
Rosetta Stone Spanish Explorer
Smart Start Spanish Deluxe

12. Simulations
Simulations are program that allow for recreating,
testing, and changing outcomes based on manipulating
situations and variables.

13. Relative Advantage
Simulations provide an opportunity to experiment
without the cost or other difficult-to-overcome obstacles.

14. Example
Zoo Tycoon 2 is a simulation
where the user can build a zoo,
care for animals, and create
exhibits. This is for ages 8 - 12.
Picture Source: http://zootycoon.com/Products/AfricanAdventure/default.htm

15. Integration
Zoo Tycoon offers students information on the needs of
animals. It could be used individually, in small groups,
or as a whole class when studying animals. After
studying animals and their needs, Zoo Tycoon could be
a competition to see which group is the most successful.

16. Other Examples
Sim City 4
Sim Coaster
I can be an Animal Doctor

17. Educational Games
Educational games provide game-like experiences that
are combined with an educational objective.

18. Relative Advantage
The fun that comes with educational games can be a
big motivating factor for students.

19. Example
Zoombinis is an example of an
educational game. Math, logic,
and scientific skills are
practiced when playing
Zoombinis.
Picture Source: http://www.childrenssoftwareonline.com/zoombinis_island_odyssey_software.html

20. Integration
Zoombinis offer opportunities for both individual and
partner work. This could be offered as a center, for
morning work, as a follow-up to a math lesson, or as an
option for when other work has been completed. A whole
class could work through a section, identifying the
strategies that were used to be successful.

21. Other Examples
The Incredible Machine
Little Bear Kindergarten Thinking Adventures
Blue’s 1-2-3 Time Activities

22. Applications
Applications are used to produce or perform a particular
function, usually for productivity purposes.

23. Relative Advantage
Students often have background knowledge on how to
use different applications, based on using the software
at home, reducing instructional time on how to use the
software.

24. Example
Picasa is an image editing
and management program.
After editing images,
images can be uploaded to
the web and shared.
Picture Source: ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Picasa.svg

25. Integration
There are a number of ways in which working with
images could be integrated into the curriculum.
Because Picasa has the ability to share images,
one way would be to collaborate with a classroom
in another part of the world and share pictures of
the places in which we live to provide support to a
geography lesson.

26. Other Examples of Applications
Word processing Audio recording/
Spreadsheets editing
Database Concept mapping
Graphing Video conferencing
Painting Painting
Movie editing

27. Evaluating Software
Kathy Schrock provides a number of links for evaluating
software. Be sure to scroll about one third of the way
down.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/sci-
tech/scicom.html

28. Additional Evaluation Links
Discovery Education Evaluations
Children's Software Workshop