Advantages of instructional software

There has always been a problem with pre-school and primary school learners, but the gamification of the process and use of various activities improve interest. Out-of-the-box assignments improve creativity and keep the children engaged and motivated longer. However, there still are some concerns about using educational software solutions.

Gadgets and computers often distract students, and the teacher needs to be ready for it and know how to deal with it.

With lots of educational apps and websites in the market, it is difficult to choose the most appropriate one. It should be engaging, educational, age-appropriate, the correct knowledge level, etc. Sometimes it is tough for parents to make the right choice.

Students with vision problems or other health problems may be unable to use educational software effectively. Technology has revolutionized all the spheres of our life and education is not an exception. If you are considering an educational software project for your business or educational institution, you need to understand all the pros and cons.

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Cookie Preferences. How can we help you? Something Has Gone Terribly Wrong. Please Try Later. Sign In. How we use LinkedIn. We also use this access to retrieve the following information: Your full name. Your primary email address. You can revoke this access at any time through your LinkedIn account. This software can also enable students to gather information that otherwise would have been impossible, time-consuming or costly.

This can be very motivational for students and these are just some of the numerous advantages of educational software. Some of the biggest advantages include:. As with anything else in life, there are also some disadvantages.

These include:. Teachers are responsible for many tasks that have little to do with classroom instruction. As a future teacher we should apply ideas from various sources to create the best learning environments possible for students. Now : Recently, I have set-up my safety quizzes in Google Forms and all of the quizzes are available on the CTS website for students to complete either in class or on their own time.

Once the student submits the quiz, the results are immediately emailed back with an explanation of of the correct answer. As well the quizzes contain videos that can be viewed for greater understanding.

One relative advantage of using Google Forms from a website is the ability of learners to work at their own pace.

The learners take advantage of the flipped classroom model of teaching. They are completing the safety quizzes at home, on the bus or whenever it is convenient. This allows for extra time in the woodworking area to use the facility.

The relative advantage has allowed students to work at their own pace. As well, students, that are enrolled in the class late, now have the opportunity to get caught up without scheduling a time to meet with the instructor. Instructors no longer need to repeat the same safety presentation several times for students that were absent or added to the class later in the term.

Tutorial software presents a complete learning sequence. The software facilitates extensive interaction, allows the learners to have immediate feedback and is learner controlled. Then: In the past students designed catapults using graph paper and orthographic drawings.

Students would set up their desks with slide rulers, tape the graph paper down meticulously and wait patiently for the entire class to get ready for my amazing tutorial on how to create 3-dimensional drawings using a slide ruler.

Once the students had acquired the skill to create a 3D orthographic drawings, which took several weeks, they would begin to design their own catapults. Now: Learners can now follow the link and my instructions from Google Classroom, follow the YouTube videos screen-casts videos with narration that provide basic narrative tutorials on how to build a catapult. Learners can download and use the SketchUp software for free, follow the online screen-cast tutorial at their own pace and use time outside of the class to complete autocad drawings.

This has allowed for learners to have more time to collaborate, discuss designs and build projects when in the classroom. Again as with drill and practice, the relative advantage allows for the flipped classroom model to be implemented. These video tutorials are also helpful when students miss class or a substitute is covering the class. Note: Regardless of whether students in the past used orthographic drawings or current students use SketchUp, learners still must be encouraged to be creative and reflect on the laws of physics, quality construction and aesthetics when designing a catapult.

Simulations software allows learners to test and evaluate in a safe, cost effective manner. Not only do simulations provide an environment that real life may not allow students to experience, it also allows students to manipulate experiences with the ability to understand the consequences. Then : Encyclopedia Britannica was once the pillar of every library that resonated with factual, detailed information that would let you experience all there was to know.

In conjunction with Atlas maps a student could become more informed or gain a greater understanding of culture, famous historical figures, animals or structures and places of significance. All one would do is visit a school or local library and find the information in the encyclopedia. Some topics even included illustrations.

Once you were done, the encyclopedia was expected to be returned and could not be signed out. Now : Google Earth , Wikipedia , Google Cardboard and Expeditions can take a learner on an amazingly immersive tours of almost any location on and off the planet.

The relative advantage of simulation software allows learners to get a visually immersive experience with information that is updated daily.